Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo: Underclassmen Standouts Part 2
The Twin Cities Top 250 Expo included many 2020/2021s talents of note. This is part two today of a three part series introducing young Minnesota talent.
Devon Haraldson of Hastings (6-0, 2020). Type of guard that has the potential to wear guys out. What we thought stood out was that the longer the possession, the better difference maker Devon was. He was moving off the ball into position 25 seconds into the possession to catch and make a play and he would make a high energy defensive play on a long defensive possession.
Miles Harrell of Edina (5’11, 2020). Loved his lead passing in the halfcourt set. Miles sent the ball perfectly on target to cutters and on the break he made the right decision every time. Quick hands defensively and often beat other guards to the spot. Good shooter too with solid lift.
Nathan Heise of Lake City (6’1, 2020). I think the biggest take away from this event for me was that Nathan is a player that can have big success playing a couple spots. In other words, we know he can shoot the ball on big stages against good players, but I thought his handle was much better this weekend than in the past. His three point percentages are always at a 50 percent clip and the release on his jumpshoot is pure beauty. Soft but quick which allows him to knock shots down despite good closeouts coming hard at him. One of the things I liked best about what I saw from Nate was how well he moves off the basketball. His relocation is veteran like plus he’s a good passer and he went at the basket and finished with his left once impressively as well. All that said, if feet are set and he’s in space it’s more likely than not going to be a made three.
Teyghan Hovland of Austin (6’3, 2021). Well built good sized wing that on initial impression looked strong than others so I expected more of an around the basket type of battle, and he held his own when boarding, defending, and completing plays when near the rim but his handle and ability to pass the ball was a welcomed site. More of a perimeter guy that was very comfortable against pressure plus he hit his shots in space.
Riley Hulke of Nicollet (5’11, 2020). If shooting is the discussion than Riley needs to be one of the first names mentioned. It didn’t take long for teammates to know that Riley is a guy to find if they attack the rim or kick out of the post. Had a couple hot stretches knocking down several jumpers in a row. A shooter to know for the next three years.
Tarik Iyob of Osseo (6’0, 2021). Tarik has a bit of an unusual game as he is well built with core strength already but soft hands and a soft touch. He scored on the move, hit corner jumpers, and seemed to be in excellent position defensively. He competed very well as an undersized forward that outskilled other forwards.
Walker Johnson of BSM (6’3, 2020). Walker is another guy that has some size on the wing and was able to catch and his shots in space. Didn’t force much and was alert to the type of team he had stepping forward to lead with the right decisions. Looks like he’s grown since we last saw him play.
Mason Klett of Apple Valley (6’4, 2020). Played the game of a four man and was quite comfortable with his back to the basket but did a great job of facing up from other players his size and making the right pass or hitting a comfortable jumpshot.
Winston Knox of Wayzata (5-11, 2020). Quick point guard that attacked out of his separation move with a burst to space. We saw Winston use a pull-up in drill work and in the game knocking out his lefty touch before the defense could adjust to where his release was coming from and he had some craft finishes around the basket extending with his left. Tough guy to keep in front last weekend.
Noah Koelbl of Edina (6-0, 2020). Noah did a good job of directing, moving his feet on defense, knocking down open looks, and he was more matured than most of his opponents in both the way he played, and the way he physically competed. Type of Lake Conference multi-sport competitor I can see burying shots and leading his club vocally the next three seasons.
Gabe Myren of Spring Lake Park (6-1, 2020). Gabe was on one of the better teams so he did an excellent job of falling into his role passing the basketball, hitting the few open looks he received to shoot, always rebounding, and always defending. Good size guard who maybe had the shot of the day making a 60 foot buzzer beater.
Christopher Nyland of Eden Prairie (6-4, 2020). Good frame and used it well to position himself around the basket as well as battling to space to catch and playmake. Tough looked good on Saturday and Nyland seemed to have a strong understanding of defensive positioning.
CJ O’Hara of Park Center (6’0, 2020). Out of nowhere CJ blitzed an opponent with several scores in a short span. The reaction “that’s what CJ can do” came from the crowd. A sparkplug of a scoring touch at times O’Hara showed what he has potential wise, something to keep in mind as the Pirate program continues to be stacked with players.