17U Grassroots Preview Minnesota Matrix

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The high school season may have just ended, but the AAU season is right around the corner. With most teams starting in the next couple weeks. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s a look at one of the teams that could be one of the better non-shoe teams at the 17U level, the Minnesota Matrix:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Guards:</strong> <em>Will Cordes, Gavin Vosika, Carter Anderson, Jacob Stolzenberg, Ben Staehling, Owen Davis</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This group has a good blend of shooting, defense, size and playmaking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cordes was one of the top guards in the South Suburban Conference with Shakopee and excels as a slasher and creator. He’s a solid outside shooter but at his best when he can get into gaps and break down defenses. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vosika is one of the best rebounding guards in Class A at BOLD and does a great job usually pushing the tempo and guarding hard on the perimeter. He’s very good scoring particularly in the midrange and can balance getting his own offense with setting up his teammates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stolzenberg is one of the best pure shooters in the 2020 class out of St. Cloud Cathedral. Anderson and Davis provide good size and a combination of shooting and secondary playmaking on the perimeter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Forwards:</strong> <em>Mason Miller, Jacob Jennison, Tate Machacek, Dylan DeChampeau</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This frontcourt should be really fun to watch. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DeChampeau is one of the top players in Northern Minnesota as his combination of size, athleticism and skill is unmatched by most teams in that area. This is a big summer for him because he’ll be challenged by guys who can match those attributes. But he’s one of the best players in the 2020 class and will have a chance to prove it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Miller is drawing a lot of football interest so this experience may not necessarily be used to parlay into a basketball future but he’s a terrific player on the court without question. At 6-foot-8, Miller has a big, strong and sturdy frame that allows him to control the paint. He’ll essentially play the same role with this team as he does with Ada-Borup: set picks, hang out around the rim, finish, defend and rebound. And he’ll do it well. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jennison combines with Miller to give the Matrix a really imposing defensive five-man combo. At 6-foot-11, Jennison is one of the better defenders in central Minnesota and like many of the guys on this team, the opportunity to get tested against competition that won’t back down from his height will be a positive experience. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Machacek is an addition to this team after playing with Wear Out the Net last season. He brings size and athleticism to the frontcourt as he’s been a productive player in the South Suburban Conference for two years now.</span></p>