Hard Work Region – Intriguing Players 2023’s
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The AAU season is well on its way and the Prep Hoops Circuit is off and running. This weekend there is a big event happening in Minnesota with the Battle At The Lakes. There will be an abundance of talent…
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Continue ReadingThe AAU season is well on its way and the Prep Hoops Circuit is off and running. This weekend there is a big event happening in Minnesota with the Battle At The Lakes. There will be an abundance of talent on display at that tournament.
In this article, we are checking out Intriguing players from the Hard Work Region. Some of these guys are complete DUDES that have proven they produce year-round. Other players on the list showed me a flash of brilliance and I can not wait to see them play again. Others are full of potential and their ceiling is high. Some of these guys are flat-out workhorses, hustlers, and playmakers. Now let us take a look before the Battle At The Lakes gets tipped off!
HARD WORK REGION – 17U Intriguing Players
Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN |6’5 SF| MN Chill Elite
From the looks of things, Bettis has to be playing himself into a college scholarship. Khalif has been tearing it up on the Prep Hoops Circuit. He is a special player and a next-level athlete. What has stood out to me is his craftiness and feel for the game. Khalif knows just how to manipulate the defense so they get out of position. He looks to be a master at creating space and Bettis knows how to create his own looks. He is also a playmaker that will drive to create for others. Bettis has the potential to be a lockdown defender and a serious 2-way player. Khalif is the ultimate package.
Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA |6’0 PG| Iowa Barnstormers Gold
He has been one of the top point guards on the Circuit this spring. Porter might be the top athlete at the 1 spot. He is a next-level athlete with all the skills that you could ask for. Blaise has to be one of the elite PG’s in the Midwest. Porter shines at directing traffic and controlling the speed. His handles are as good as they come and his precision passing is exceptional. Blaise can also put the clamp down on D and make it a long game for opposing guards. He does his fair share of scoring off the bounce and he can drill the perimeter jumper. Get to know this kid’s name, he is the real deal.
Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND |6-4 SG| ND Phenom
A good nickname for this player might be “ice-man”. Dissette has been making big play after big play this spring. Darik has proved many times that he is a gamer and a closer. Darik has never found a moment that is too big for him on the basketball court. When the game is on the line, get DD the ball. Dissette currently has two offers on the table from UND and NDSU. The way things have been going, I am expecting the interest to keep increasing for Dissette.
Jaxon Kellogg Jaxon Kellogg 6'3" | PG Bismarck Legacy | 2023 State ND |6-3 PG| ND Phenom
He has been getting a good amount of interest from college coaches for football at the next level. However, Kellog has been shining as the PG for ND Phenom. At the two “Live Period” events this spring, Jaxon has led Phenom to an impressive 6-2 record against many tough teams. Jaxon is the ultimate teammate and the first to dive on the floor for a loose ball. The lefty always makes the extra pass and he knows when & where to feed the hot hand. Kellogg knows when to push the tempo and when to slow it down. Phenom runs & executes sets well and a bunch of that credit should go to Kellogg. He is a glue guy, a hustler, a playmaker, and most importantly… a WINNER.
Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND |6’10 C| ND Phenom
He is the only Divison 1 commit on this list! After Prep Hoops The Stage in Indianapolis, Erikson was offered by UND and a few days later he committed. Erikson is the best BIG passer that I have come across this spring. His handles are also amazing for a man his size. Erikson will not blow by you with crazy speed, but he will get buy you with slick footwork, a clever changing of speeds, strength, and smart fakes. On the block, Ryan is almost a guaranteed bucket if it’s one-on-one. He might not be a high-flyer but Erikson has been one of the most entertaining players to watch this spring.
Matt Eng Matt Eng 6'0" | PG O’gorman | 2023 State SD |6’2 PG| Pentagon Schoolers Walker
Heading into Prep Hoops Live, I knew Eng could shoot it. In Lawrence, that is exactly what Matt did! He was a knockdown shooter and one of the best in Lawrence. Eng did not just make a large number of three-pointers, he made timely shots when his team really needed them. Matt proved that he is a gamer and a bigshot-maker. I also like his handles and passing skills. Eng is a calm player, when watching him you can not tell if he is up 10 or down 10. In Eng’s case, his team is almost always up!
Gavin Muirhead Gavin Muirhead 6'7" | PF O'gorman | 2023 State SD |6’7 PF| Pentagon Schoolers Walker
He may have been the “breakout player” of Prep Hoops Live. Gavin was truly amazing. His shot-blocking and rebounding were consistent and present in the 4 games that the Schoolers won. Muirhead also showed off some impressive perimeter shooting when knocking down triples. What really opened people’s eyes were all the dunks and oops from Gavin. I knew he had long arms and was tall, but Muirhead is also very bouncy and he is fearless. Most players would go in for a contested layup, Gavin goes in for a SLAM. He showed amazing timing to constantly put down the lob passes. He also had a clutch dunk at the end of a game to steal the momentum and cinch up a win for the Schoolers.
Randy Rosenquist Randy Rosenquist 6'0" | PG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD |5-11 PG| Pentagon Schoolers Maschino
He took his State Championship success and carried that momentum into the AAU season. Rosenquist had a great first showing at Prep Hoops Live and he was selected to the All-Tournament First-Team. Randy is a pesky and frustrating on-ball defender. He also excels off the ball by anticipating to make deflections/turnovers. Randy is a creator and a playmaker. He is dynamic in transition. Rosenquist has great handles and an amazing understanding of the game.
Ethan Determan Ethan Determan 6'2" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD |6’2 SG| Pentagon Schoolers Maschino
This kid is instant offense when he steps on the floor. Determan can flat-out score the rock. Ethan is deadly from beyond the arc with extended range and a nice-looking shot. On the way to the basket, Determan can pull up with a fluid jumper, and he can score at the cup in a variety of ways. If you overplay this Tiger he will make you pay as Determan is a smart player.
Lincoln Palbicki Lincoln Palbicki 6'10" | C Maple Grove | 2023 State MN |6’10 C| Minnesota Select Mantey
He stood out to me as a rock-solid rebounder. Palbicki looked good making contact, keeping his man behind him, and attacking the ball. Once the big man gets his hands on it, I do not envision many players being able to swipe it from Lincoln. He is as strong as an ox and Palbicki can score in multiple ways. He has an array of moves around the hoop and a soft finishing touch. Lincoln can also step out and hit the mid-range J. I like that Palbicki shares the ball, many posts can be a black hole when they get the rock. From what I saw, Lincoln is a team player, a hard worker, and a throw-back low post. I like his game.
Levi Birkholz Levi Birkholz 5'2" | SG Lakeside Luthersn | 2023 State #290 Nation WI |6’3 G| Wisconsin Crusaders Elite
He has been absolutely tearing it up this spring. Birkholz was named to the All-Tournament First-Team at Prep Hoops The Stage and Prep Hoops Live. He is a do-it-all combo-guard. Birkholz can run the 1, direct traffic, and manage the tempo of the game. He can also play on the wing and put up heavy points. Levi is a fine athlete that can get up, play above the rim and wham it in traffic. Birkholz is a scorer, athlete, and very a skilled player. What do you get when you add that together with a strong 6’3 frame? A top player in Wisconsin and one of the best on the Prep Hoops Circuit.
Hudson Vaith Hudson Vaith 6'4" | SG Lakeville North | 2023 State MN |6’5 SG| Minnesota Heat MacDonald
I watched him play a couple of times last summer and I was impressed with his game. Vaith is still a very nice player and this year he is bigger, faster, and stronger! He obviously put in the work in the last 12 months! Hudson can score from all levels with a polished game. His length and athleticism are a perfect match. From when I have watched, Vaith never gets too high or too low. He plays with a competitive edge but he plays under control. I like that he is effective with the ball in his hands and that he can play off the ball as a cutter and slasher from the wing. Expect another high-quality weekend from Vaith at Battle At The Lakes.
Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA |6’8 F| Iowa Barnstormers Gold Elite
He makes the game look easy. The game must slow down for Bear because it looks like child’s play for him at times. Dallas does as he pleases and he always produces. Whenever I have watched, it seems like Dallas is always showing a new move. He is a 3-point sniper, a crafty and accomplished finisher from the block, his pull-up game is desirable, has a floater game like a PG, and Bear can make every other move in-between. His feel for the game and hoops IQ are off the charts. Dallas is a big-time player and college prospect. There is a reason why the court is surrounded by fans and scouts every time Bear is playing. Check him out this weekend at Battle At The Lakes. He is sure to put on another show!
Wyatt Hawks |6’8 PF| Northstar Titans Stone
He was impressive at both The Stage and at PH Live. Hawks has begun to make a name for himself. Before AAU ball started, Wyatt was one of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets. If you are at Battle At The Lakes this weekend, get this BIG on your watchlist. You will not be disappointed! Wyatt has been looking like a walking double-double guy. He is strong, Wyatt can take a hit, recover and finish with power. Hawks has a versatile finishing packing and he has good feet. He is a productive rebounder and an emerging defender.
Jonah Kocer Jonah Kocer 6'1" | PG Tea Area | 2023 State SD |6’1 G| Pentagon Schoolers Walker
I saw him in the high school season and it looked like Kocer had a solid game. After seeing Jonah at Prep Hoops Live, I am convinced that he is a playmaker with a high IQ. When he was slashing to the cup, Kocer looked like a maestro with the ball in his hands. Especially when working with his high school teammate Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD . These two played perfectly off each other and Kocer knew when and where to get the big man the ball. Jonah plays calm and cool on offense. On defense, he is a different animal. Kocer is gritty, scrappy, and reliable. I expect another impressive performance this weekend in Minneapolis.