The Minnesota HS Season Preview: Top 10 Mr. Basketball Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who do we think the top ten candidates for the 2022-23 Mr. Basketball award are? We give you our top ten list now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***This is not necessarily what I think it will be, it's how I think it will be seen overall when it comes to the award and the lists/honors that come with it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ten. [player_tooltip player_id='962201' first='Maxsamus' last='Wilson'] of Minneapolis North. Max is the preseason player of the year in the Minneapolis City and he plays at Minneapolis North, the program that gets the most coverage when it comes to high school basketball. The Star Tribune loves to talk North and the committee has shown in the past that if you do well at North you will get on their various lists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nine. [player_tooltip player_id='962284' first='Isaac' last='Matti'] of Hayfield. If Matti keeps Hayfield at number one and has a nice showing at the Tip Off against Cherry High School he will force people to take notice. When you have two state title trophies, are a two two time all state player coming in, and are the Class A player of the year returning, you have a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight. [player_tooltip player_id='962200' first='Jack' last='Janicki'] of White Bear Lake. Jack would be higher on the list of his shoulder injury didn't dent his chance to play at the start of the season. Last year Pharrel Payne WAS CLEARLY a top five player in the state but his injury set back hurt him with Mr. Basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven. [player_tooltip player_id='962203' first='Tommy' last='Humphries'] of Totino-Grace. The committee will put multiple players from the same team on a top ten list so Tommy certainly has a chance to jump on this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six. Max Shikenanski of Stillwater. Max is about to put up massive numbers, his team has top ten quality, and he is the best passer in the state. He will be loved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five. [player_tooltip player_id='962214' first='Nolan' last='Winter'] of Lakeville North. This is where we have the big man conversation. Notice that Nolan is the first one we have talked about. Bigs are never respected enough on individual player lists (see Pharrel Payne again) and with Lakeville North being so balanced, don't be surprised to see that happen here (a big not getting the love he should). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four. [player_tooltip player_id='962218' first='Nasir' last='Whitlock'] of DeLaSalle. Whitlock finished the past season in a big way, he is about to have a big season at a big name program, he will have the chance to put up huge numbers and win a lot of games, it translates to individual award success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three. [player_tooltip player_id='962199' first='CJ' last='O'Hara'] of Park Center. O'Hara will be on the best team in Class AAAA and he will physically overwhelm people scoring in strong numbers around the basket all year. He will also wow people with highlights and when you do that for a top team putting up big numbers, you land high on lists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two. [player_tooltip player_id='962212' first='Boden' last='Kapke'] of Holy Family. But Boden is a big??? Yes but Boden is a big at a smaller school and he will get constant touches once again this year allowing him to put up huge numbers once again. He is a 30 &amp; 15 caliber player at HF and he is going to play for a top contender. He is the rare big that will have a chance at this award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One. [player_tooltip player_id='962198' first='Taison' last='Chatman'] of Totino-Grace. The top prospect in the state, the returning Class AAA Player of the Year and a returning all state first teamer, a big name known around the nation trying to be a McDonald's All American, and coming off a memorable performance in the second half of the state title game. In the driver's seat and the only thing that could ding his chances is too much balance, but I don't think so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->