GPA ’17: 17u Standouts
GPA kicked off play on Thursday night with the seeding games and NHR was there to review some old names and see what they’ve added, as well as learn some new names!
Jarius Cook of Powerhouse MN. Jarius didn’t do know anything out of the ordinary for him, he just produced in smart, and efficient ways. Made a couple threes, slashed to produce, brought the defense, and pretty much gave everyone an example of why he is the recruit he is. What I really like about Jarius is his shot selection. He doesn’t need to ball dominate to get good numbers. He takes the right shots for his team.
Deng Deang of Powerhouse MN. I feel like Deang is so close to being a breakout prospect. Long at 6-foot-6, agile, quick off his feet, explosive to finish, and has some skills. What caught my eye today was the way Deng talked on defense, stayed in a stance, worked hard to keep his man in front, and did it regularly.
Mike Evens of tMBA Jefferson. The Jefferson sharp shooter scored 20 of his team’s first half 25 points as they gave the Powerhouse team a run. Mike made five threes for his team and this is a guy to watch come this winter if this is a good sample of what his touch can do.
Both Gach of Powerhouse MN White. Both and Duoth Gach have joined the Powerhouse Minnesota program and you will see both on the team although this weekend Both was with the second team. How did he did? A cool 25 in his debut with this team as the North Dakota kids simply couldn’t figure out how to keep him in front. Both used the crossover to explode to space and then the soft touch to complete or get fouled. Was active on ball and in passing lanes forcing several turnovers. This is a division one talent who is going to be at that level at some point. Has the agility and skills to potentially play at the high major level although it may take the junior college route where he can add some size to his frame.
Duoth Gach of Powerhouse MN. In his debut Duoth knocked out five, yes five corner threes catching and hitting with feet set making shots over whatever ran at him. Credit his teammates for moving the ball to him and credit Duoth for knocking the attempts down. Gach took his time getting acclimated to the group and the team did the job getting the ball to him when he was in space. Duoth also had one of his trademark dunks late in the game that got everyone excited.
Damani Hayes of D1 MN Rise. This is a guy that I’ve been so impressed with this spring and now summer. The skills in a strong and agile frame are hard to match. In that game Hayes rebounded from a tough first half to score ten points including the And1 late in the game that turned out to be a game winner. Hayes not only has the skills and size but mentally I like his toughness as well.
Tate Hebrink of D1 MN Rise. Definitely one of the toughest kids in this state. Love the way he defends and late in the game his pressure forced a turnover on the final play of the game that won the game for Rise. Excellent decision maker with the ball, a better scorer than given credit for, had 13 in this important first game win. Tate may be smaller but he makes up for a lot of that with his toughness both mentally and physically. And with talent around him Tate often has open shots, and he makes those open shots.
Akeem Woods of Powerhouse MN White. Akeem showed some signs of being a nice player to know going forward. Defensively he was solid at times and when he remained disciplined in his stance the best guards in North Dakota were not able to get by him. He scored four times and seems like he could be a nice player as he gets more experience. Also doing some nice things for White were Brett Skaj of Centennial and Griffin Sage of Orono (Sage hit three long second half jumpers).