MBCA Showcase: Max’s Day 2 Standouts
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The MBCA Showcase featured the best of the best from Minnesota, and these are some of the prospects that stood out in the games I saw on Saturday! Kyle Jorgensen Kyle Jorgensen 6'9" | C Minneapolis Washburn | 2024 State…
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Continue ReadingThe MBCA Showcase featured the best of the best from Minnesota, and these are some of the prospects that stood out in the games I saw on Saturday!
Kyle Jorgensen Kyle Jorgensen 6'9" | C Minneapolis Washburn | 2024 State #308 Nation MN (6’8 2024 PF/C, Minneapolis Washburn)- Kyle looks ready to take over as one of the best players in the Minneapolis City Conference as a junior. Was able to produce both inside and out, using his combination of size and skills to score in a variety of ways. He set some good screens and rolled hard to the hoop which led to some high percentage looks for him out of the P&R. He’s not just a threat to roll though, as he can pop out on the perimeter showing he’s a major threat from beyond the arc. Kyle has a smooth shooting stroke and has to be accounted for at all times, which forces opposing bigs to step out of the paint and defend on the perimeter where they may not be as comfortable.
Jerome Williams Jr Jerome Williams Jr 6'0" | PG Rock Creek Christian Academy | 2024 MD . (5’10 2024 PG, Minneapolis South)- In a pair of tough matchups on Saturday morning, Jerome was producing at a high level. He’s expanded his game to become much more than a three point threat, as he has a shifty handle to go along with elite quickness that allows him to get two feet in the paint and make plays for himself and others. Jerome isn’t afraid to elevate and look to finish over or around size in the paint, but he’s also so good at locating open shooters and kicking the ball out to them off the drive. Helped lead his team to a convincing win against one of the most stacked teams in the event.
Charlie Bern Charlie Bern 6'4" | PF East Ridge | 2024 State MN (6’4 2024 SF, East Ridge)- Charlie was finishing at a high level in the game I watched Saturday. You won’t find too many 2024 prospects in the state with his type of frame and explosiveness, making him so difficult to stop when he gets a touch in the paint. His activity and cutting off the ball allows for him to get plenty of good looks at the basket. Does a nice job of playing off of two feet and keeping his balance, and Charlie has no problem finishing through some contact. Had a transition dunk and also created a few looks for himself off the dribble. Charlie has the ability to play as a smaller four as well because of his strength to defend in the paint and ability to rebound at a high level.
Jessye Lewis Jr Jessye Lewis Jr 6'1" | PG Hiawatha Collegiate | 2023 State MN . (6’1 2023 PG, Hiawatha Collegiate)- During the 1v1 portion of the event, Jessye was nearly unstoppable. Not many players in Minnesota have his level of shot creation ability, and it truly showed when Jessye was faced off with one defender in isolation. The skill also translates to actual games, as he can create space with ease to get off a perimeter jumper while also using his change of speeds to get by his man and get to the lane. Lewis can knock down the three, stop on a dime to hit a mid-range jumper, and he also has an accurate floater that he uses to score over size in the lane. Jessye has put up some ridiculous numbers his past few high school seasons, and this upcoming winter should be no different.
Anthony Smith III (5’10 2025 PG, Hopkins)- Knew Anthony could really shoot it coming into this event, but I was impressed by his fearlessness attacking the basket. Had no problem going at a team with multiple 6’8 defenders in the paint and just finding ways to finish. He has a nice floater that he can loft up to score over length, but can also go into a defender’s body and keep his balance to finish through the contact. Plays with good pace and change of direction to create for himself and others off the dribble. Was one of the few 2025 prospects in the event and he had no problem holding his own with the upperclassmen.
Spencer Hall Spencer Hall 6'3" | SF Wayzata | 2023 State MN (6’3 2023 W, Wayzata)- Spencer can take on many different roles with his Wayzata team, and over the weekend he showcased more versatility as a scorer than I had seen before. With Wayzata he operates a lot off the ball, but at the showcase he was creating some of his own looks off the dribble, including a smooth stepback jumper from along the baseline that I hadn’t seen out of him before. Hall is a solid all-around athlete who can defend a bit bigger than his size and finish strong at the rim off straight line drives or backdoor cuts. Thought he made smart decisions handling the ball in transition as well, as he always seemed to know when to get to the rim himself or when to dish it off.
Trey Smith Trey Smith 6'7" | SF Osseo | 2023 State MN (6’6 2023 SF, Osseo)- Trey had a great weekend playing alongside and against talented athletes. At 6’6 he’s an explosive athlete who can finish above the rim with ease, but it was his laterally agility on both ends of the floor that really impressed. Not only does he have the length to cause disruptions on the defensive end, but his mobility at his size allows him to guard opposing wings no matter their size. Offensively he was creating his own shots off the bounce, knocking down pull-up jumpers while also getting to the basket for some smooth finishes.