NHR State: Recruiting Notes
I was excited for the Northstar State Tourney for obvious reasons, but there was extra incentive to view the 17U field as it was going to be my first viewings of 43 Hoops and D1 MN Rise, two teams that I knew had lots of talent. We heard about 43 Hoops winning the D1 MN spring event, and we knew that MN Rise had a nice 2018/2019 group coming into this summer.
Damani Hayes is a prospect that should be looked at by NSICs, minimum. He’s a 6-foot-4 wing with lots of athleticism, a good jump-shot and an aggressive mindset on both ends. The Mankato East student has good grades with a 3.6 GPA and a 30 ACT.
Damani’s East teammate, Uhana Ochan, is about 6-foot-5 and is very long and explosive (check out this video). He will look to dunk anything and loves to protects the rim. He has a good enough GPA for a four-year college (3.3), but you have to wonder what kind of level he could reach if he took a year or two to work on his ball skills. I would think he’s a no-brainer D1 juco prospect.
Another Rise guy who we love is Byron’s Bjorn Knutson. He’s a 6-foot-3 wing with a constantly running motor. We loved him at the Stock-Up Showcase this spring. He’s physically well-built and is receiving D2 football recruiting interest, but his AAU coach says he probably likes basketball more. MIACs have been in touch.
Of course Mike Coble from Byron/MN Rise is an impressive prospect, but he is receiving D1 football scholarship offers, and it’s assumed that he will go that route.
Tate Hebrink is a really quality point guard who we have also seen at state for Austin. He’s about 5-foot-10 and very reliable. While the Gach twins run the sidelines, Tate is Austin’s floor general. MIACs are talking with him along with a few NAIAs.
Down the road in the 2019 class, Isaac Fink (Springfield) and Jake Kettner (MVL) are two to watch. Fink wasn’t at NHR State, but RJ has always been a fan and has ranked him accordingly. Kettner was a long, active shooter this weekend.
As far as 43 Hoops, Deundra Robinson is one of the bigger standouts. He’s a 6-foot-2 guard who helped lead 43 Hoops to the title game. He’s been receiving a good amount of recruiting attention, but it sounds like his grades will likely require him to go to junior college first.
Carter Uphus, also of 43 Hoops, is a 6-foot-7 forward with tons of length. Some high-academic D3s like U of Chicago, St. Olaf and others have already inquired. I see Carter as a potential stock-riser due to his frame and upside.
There are a few guys on 43 Hoops who were bench players for the loaded Cretin-Derham Hall team last year, but are able to showcase their game this summer. That includes Deland Phillips, Caleb Davis and Raysean Mason. Davis is especially athletic. These are definitely capable hoopers, they’re just stuck behind a very deep rotation at CDH.
Quick notes on two others I like from 43 Hoops: the small but tough ball-handler Quentin Hardrict (Columbia Heights) and grinder Will Schmidt (Totino-Grace) who is sure to be a MIAC favorite.