Twin Cities Prospects 5’10 And Under
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Nine prospects listed at 5’10 or under that are proving height isn’t everything when it comes to the game of basketball! De’Mari Larkins MN #46 PG #15 HEIGHT 5'9" POS PG CLASS 2024 View Profile De’Mari Larkins State: Minnesota School:…
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Continue ReadingNine prospects listed at 5’10 or under that are proving height isn’t everything when it comes to the game of basketball!
De’Mari has absolutely no fear in attacking the basket, and is one of the best guards in the state at just hanging in the air and finishing against taller players. He’s a quick and explosive athlete with blow-by speed off the dribble allowing him to consistently beat his man off the bounce and get into dangerous areas. Whenever Minneapolis South had a big game last year, it seemed like Larkins was producing at a high level whether it was finishing at the rim, dishing out 5+ assists, or picking up full-court and pressuring his man all game long. With his creative ability this Osseo team could be fun to watch as they have plenty of size and athleticism to complement De’Mari.
The last game of Lorenzo’s sophomore season? 32 points against Minnehaha Academy in the section finals. Now at Minnehaha Academy, Lorenzo will look to help the Redhawks get back into the state tournament. He’s a shifty guard who can act as a facilitator or scoring threat with his deep range from beyond the arc and crisp passing ability. With the pace he puts on his passes he’s able to drop dimes from the top of the key and fit them into small windows between defenders. Lorenzo doesn’t always get the chance to show it in games, but he’s an incredibly explosive leaper who can get up and throw down impressive dunks when the space is available. Played up at the 17u level this past spring/summer and put in some big time performances for Sizzle-Simmons. Scored 20.3 ppg as a sophomore and I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays with a lot of talent surrounding him.
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Forming one of the most dangerous backcourts in the state alongside Levy will be Jerome Williams Jr Jerome Williams Jr 6’0″ | PG Rock Creek Christian Academy | 2024 MD . Jerome played at Minnehaha as a middle schooler, and is back with the Redhawks for his upperclassmen years. He became known early on for his deep shooting range, but has developed his all-around game to become more of a true point guard who can do a bit of everything. When the ball is in his hands he just seems to glide effortlessly around the court, probing in and out of tight spaces looking for opportunities to set his teammates up. Jerome does a good job of playing off two feet in the paint, allowing him to stay under control and make a variety of plays. Can stop and finish over the top with a floater, shot-fake and step through to score off the glass, or look defenders off and scoop pass the ball to one of his bigs under the rim.
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There are very few players in the state who can hit clutch shots like Ibo can. When the game’s on the line, Ibo is the type of player who wants the ball in his hands because he again and again he’s proven he can knock down tough game winning shots. He’s one of the best shot creators in the state who creates separation with ease on the perimeter and isn’t fazed with a hand in his face. If he sees a couple of shots drop early, it’s very likely that El-Amin is going to finish with some big scoring numbers as he’s a very streaky player who heats up in a hurry. He’s not just a scorer though as Ibo is the type of player that’s going to lead with his toughness and competitive spirit. You’ll see him firing his teammates up after big plays and going out and competing with an edge on both ends of the floor.
Jency has put himself on the radar of many as one of the best passers in the 2024 class. With all of the senior talent around him at Columbia Heights last season, Jency rarely missed a minute because of how good he was at setting his teammates up with high percentage shots. With 5.8 assists per game and over a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, Jency proved to be a skilled facilitator. He has a really good hesitation move that freezes his defender before blowing by him to get into the paint to create. As a 9.8 ppg scorer last season it was clear he could hit shots, but this summer he showed a lot more initiative to get to his spots and look to create his own shots as one of the team’s veterans. Look for Davis to put up some big numbers this winter as a junior.
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Jaden had the best shooting performance I saw throughout the 2021-22 season, when he went off for 33 points on 11 three pointers against Concordia Academy. Everyone in the gym knew he was looking to shoot from deep, but he continued to find ways to get into open space. Really good at passing and moving, as well as getting guys in the air with a shot fake before taking one step to the side into space to get his shot off. Not the tallest or quickest player on the floor but changes his speeds well and knows how to use his frame to get defenders on his shoulder when attacking the basket. Has the touch to finish off the glass with floaters and has dropped some impressive dimes in the games I’ve seen.
Isa is almost always the smallest player on the floor but he lets his game speak volumes. He has a great feel for the game and is so smooth handling the ball. Knows how to get to his spots off the dribble, and if you leave him too much space he’s not afraid to pull-up from three. Really good as a pick & roll ball handler because he knows how to use his screen, and runs off it tight allowing him to get his man on his hip and pick his spots from there. Had some nice moments on varsity as a freshman and was impressive in the game I saw in August at the Pacesetter Sweet Sixteen.
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Datrell played a key role off the bench as a sophomore at Minneapolis North, and will be transferring to Maranatha Christian Academy where he’ll look to up his production even more. He has such a smooth shot from beyond the arc with a quick release that allows him to capitalize on space while it’s there. Changes directions quickly which allows him to weave in and out of defenders, and is such a crafty finisher around the basket. Has some toughness on the defensive end and with his quickness and low center of gravity he’s able to get under guys and disrupt them off the dribble.
You won’t find many players in the state who can get to the free throw line as much as Sam. He’s so good at getting to the rim, and once there he has a knack for drawing contact leading to easy points at the charity stripe. Is explosive off of two feet and can just hang in the air allowing him to contort his body and finish in a variety of ways. Massaquoi isn’t afraid to pull-up from three when given the space either. Was an 8.4 ppg scorer as a junior, but showed his potential with games of 23 and 22 points early in the season. Cooper graduated one of the state’s leading scorers, and I think Sam will be the go-to guy who’s leaned on to pick up for the lost production.