Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo: Underclassmen Standouts Part 1
The Twin Cities Top 250 Expo included many 2020/2021s talents of note. This is part one today of a three part series introducing young Minnesota talent.
Henry Abraham of Cambridge (5-11, 2020). I can stress enough how much I feel that this young man has the scoring touch, the feel for creation, and the feel for the game to be a big number guy. When I watch him I get somewhat of a Broman feel to his game (Anders and Bjorn who are at Winthrop).
DJ Akpati of Totino Grace (6-0, 2021). This young slasher and high energy defender has an agility and physical maturity to him that is just a level above a lot of kids right now. He competes differently than others.
AK Avwunuma of Twin Cities Academy (6-3, 2020). Good sized young athlete that is a consistent contributor because of his agility. When his skills catch up to him he could become a nice prospect.
Brady Biehn of Bloomington Kennedy (6-5, 2021). When I first saw Brady the first thought of what kind of physical football prospect he will eventually be. Looks like a football standout early in his career, and a guy that will physically be ready to be a varsity hooper earlier than others.
Jace Bigelow of Kasson-Mantorville (6-1, 2021). A matured young athlete that can play both guard spots and will be able to play young in his varsity career because a coach can trust him early at either spot.
Devin Burger of Totino-Grace (6-5, 2021). Devin’s skill work with his jumper really stood out. One of the better mid-range shooters I saw with some good size. Also used one dribble to get places several times with success. Some tough finishes through traffic.
Taison Chatman of Middle School (Size ?, 2023) Taison jumped in to compete in a sort of “why not” kind of way and he really held his own for being a player that is in the seventh grade. Held his own with the ball and held his own against older players defending.
Will Cordes of Shakopee (5-10, 2020). One of the young Shakopee Sabers that got early experience in the program last year and it seems to have greatly helped this guard. Cordes handles, passes, and takes timely shots like a smart player, an educated player.
Finn Diggins of Perham (6-4, 2021). A matured athlete with good size that played up some at Montevideo in the past in other sports and is now at Perham. What stood out for us was the way Diggins moved during the drill work and used his size to apply skills during open runs,
Ignatius Ejiofor of Irondale (6-3, 2020). Ejifor has a physical advantage early in his career because his core strength is well advanced and his upper body can bust through any contact so he uses that edge to vault over others for two foot finishes and boards consistently.
Mahad Faisal of Chaska (6-5, 2020). Several times Mahad was able to move around players with size and get to his soft right hand finishes. Our early look was minimal but Faisal is long and worked hard for position.
Luke Gitzen of Chanhassen (6-3, 2020). A skilled combo guard that has a beautiful quick release. With feet set or with his stepback Gitzen has a soft touch and quick release with good height that quickly put him on notice. A kid that at the least will be a top JV player if not varsity shooter, Luke is on the radar. Loved his shot.
Andre Gray II of Hopkins (6-1, 2021). Pretty stroking guard that made shots with feet set, moving off the ball and catching to hit, and using his right hand attack dribble to pull-up and make (saw him use his left as well). Also was an active defender with hands up that got steals and deflections. Agile player too.
Enoch Griffin of Cretin-Derham Hall (5-8, 2020). Compact, tough, and quick with his lateral steps Griffin is the type of player I can see harassing the ball and then sprinting to the next pass and harassing that as well. Also, Enoch has a low dribble and a tough frame that can turn the corner with the deep handle plus a quick step and physical leverage getting turn to get deep and playmaker.