Buckets In The Big Red: Saturday Standouts
Seven of the top performers I saw Saturday in Lincoln at Buckets In The Big Red! Molley Komara (6’7 2023 PF/C, Minnesota Chill Elite)- With MN Chill missing a few key players, Molley stepped up on the offensive end to help…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the top performers I saw Saturday in Lincoln at Buckets In The Big Red!
Molley Komara (6’7 2023 PF/C, Minnesota Chill Elite)- With MN Chill missing a few key players, Molley stepped up on the offensive end to help lead them to a win. Really love his face up game out of the high post with the ability to take one strong dribble to the rim, or even utilize a quick spin move to open up a lay-up on the opposite side. Really impressed with some of his passing out of the the post and in transition where he has the ability to handle the ball himself. Offers some defensive versatility as he can move his feet on the perimeter but also use his long wingspan and athleticism to disrupt shots at the rim.
DJ Carr (6′ 2025 G, World Hoops Elite )- DJ impressed in the first game of the day. The slashing guard out of Racine St. Catherine’s is an explosive athlete on the wing with the ability to fly to the basket in transition, or get open looks with some hard backdoor cuts. I knew he was athletic coming into this game, but he also impressed with his pull-up jumper. He was able to get to space off one or two dribbles and elevate off the floor to knock down some mid-range jumpers. DJ has the type of athleticism at the 15u level that allows him to make plays that not many other guys on the floor can make.
Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN (6’2 2023 G, MN Rise)- Isaac just took over the game in the second half for MN Rise. By my count he had six threes in just the second half, and also powered his way to the rim for another bucket, putting him at the 20 point mark in the second half alone. Not only that, but he was doing it to lead his team from beyond against a solid Pentagon Schoolers team. Isaac is such a good scorer but you won’t see him force anything on the offensive end. The ball rarely sticks in his hand for more than a second as he quickly decides whether he has a shot or if he needs to keep the ball moving. Hit the go ahead three with just seconds remaining to ultimately give his team the win.
Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 6'7" | SF Totino-Grace | 2024 State #135 Nation MN (6’7 2024 SF, Northstar Titans)- Not sure there’s a better prospect in the gym this weekend than Isaiah. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill makes him so tough to stop at the 16u level. Isaiah is tough to stop in transition because his long stride allows him to get up the floor quickly, and he handles it well at his size allowing him to weave in and out of defenders up the floor. He showed plenty of explosiveness around the rim as he threw down a handful of strong dunks throughout the day, but he also has the touch to lay it off the glass in traffic. Dominated the glass on both ends, and does a great job of recognizing where open shooters are when help defenders come and clog up the lane. Could probably have scored a lot more yesterday, but was very unselfish and opened up a lot of good looks for his teammates with his ability to get into the paint.
Carsen Eeg Carsen Eeg 5'11" | CG The Prairie | 2025 WI (5’11 2025 PG, World Hoops Elite )- Carsen has such a good feel for the game as a freshman. Handles the ball so well and creates space with his change of speed on the ball. Creates separation with ease for pull-up jumpers, but can also hesitate and then blow by his man to get into the lane and score/facilitate. Provided an early spark for his team as Carsen knocked down two early jumpers, then picked up a steal before dishing it off in style to his teammate for an assist. After watching for just a few minutes, everyone in the gym knows that Carsen can go and get a bucket, but his unselfishness and ability to create for his teammates helps separate him at the 15u level.
Aidan McDowell Aidan McDowell 6'4" | SG Crete | 2024 State NE (6’2 2024 G, CCB 17u)- One of the better shooters I saw on the day was Nebraska product Aidan McDowell Aidan McDowell 6'4" | SG Crete | 2024 State NE . A 2024 guard playing up the 17u level, Aidan made some big shots down the stretch to claw his team back from a deficit. His release is so quick and allows for him to get shots off before the defense can closeout from help position or catch up to him running off screens. Aidan has solid positional size as well which allows him to excel while playing up a year. He hit the biggest shot of the game as CCB hurried up the floor with 3 seconds left and got Aidan the ball to knock down a buzzer beating three and give his team the win.
Daleron Thomas Daleron Thomas 6'0" | CG Omaha Central | 2024 State NE (6′ 2024 PG, Omaha Elite)- Daleron is so quick on the floor, and it made him a major threat in transition. Able to fly up the sidelines without the ball, or weave through traffic in the middle of the floor, Daleron found ways to get out in transition and get to the basket to score. It didn’t have to be anything flashy as he just works for opportunities to get high percentage looks around the basket, and he often capitalizes on them with two points. Tough on-ball defender as well because he moves his feet laterally and can fight to get over screens to prevent pull-up jumpers. Knows that good defense can lead to offense, and works hard to pick up stops and force turnovers that allow his team to get in the open floor.