Prospect Watch: Andy Stafford (2019)
Minnetonka 2019 forward Andy Stafford is a player with potential and he should have a big winter for the Skippers.
The last we saw Stafford he was giving Minnesota Heat Bui scoring on the move, rebounding, and active defending using his length.
“This summer was good,” Andy told NHR. “I learned a lot and how to play at multiple positions. My biggest takeaway is just be more aggressive, when you have the ball in your hand go and make a play whether it’s for you or a teammate.”
Stafford spent his underclassmen years playing at the younger levels of the Hopkins program. Now he’s moved to Minnetonka where he should be a key factor. For that to happen Andy feels there are things he needs to work on.
“Attacking the rim and finishing more consistently,” Andy said about what he wants to do better. “I’m working on my handle, and working on my body, getting stronger, faster and tougher mentally.”
Stafford joins fellow 2019 Jalen Dearring, senior worker Jon Martens, bigs Peter Haas, Riley Burger and Cameron Steele, 2020 Riley O’Connor, and more juniors Jackson Owens and Aaron Syverson among others as talents in a quality line-up.
The Skippers, they could surely be a surprise team when you run through all those names.
“I think that we are going to be a lot better than people will be expecting,” Andy said. “We have some talented players and some very hard workers. I think a state appearance could happen with the pieces we have.”
Stafford is still an unknown when it comes to recruiting but that won’t last long. Stafford has the agility and size to be a solid prospect.
“I had a small Division three reach out to me,” Andy said. “Going to the University of Wisconsin Green Bay camp they had told my coach they were very impressed with my game and would keep an eye out for me.”
Many people have helped Stafford become the player he is. And there are guys he idolized.
“Demondi Johnson, Rahmeen Underwood, Jonathan Williams and James Fassett. All guys that I workout with and are positive role models for me to talk to and get advice on an off the court.
“Brandon Ingram and Kobe Bryant are my favorite hoopers. Kobe because his unreal work ethic and how he is close to unguardable. And Ingram because him and I have a similar game with the long and tall frame, and how he can do a little bit of everything.”