Grassroots Preview: 17U North Dakota Players to Watch
The high school season didn’t end that long ago, but basketball takes no breaks. The grassroots season is upon us with most teams kicking off their seasons in mid-April. Here are some players I’m particularly intrigued to see this summer…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season didn’t end that long ago, but basketball takes no breaks. The grassroots season is upon us with most teams kicking off their seasons in mid-April.
Here are some players I’m particularly intrigued to see this summer on the AAU circuit:
Carson Henningsgard, ND Attack Green
Henningsgard is one of the five best players in North Dakota and at this point, he doesn’t have to prove a whole lot. But I’m excited to see how he performs on a team where the whole thing might not be built around him. Can he effectively run a team with other guys that will demand touches or play bigger roles? Can he control grassroots basketball like he does Class B? If he doesn’t, can he still be a standout? I think so, and I’m excited to see.
Grant Nelson, ECI Prospects
Nelson was a force in the EDC last season and I want to see how it translates to AAU ball. At 6-foot-8, he’s got all the skills you want. He’s skilled from the perimeter, he’s active inside and he defends well. Can he stand out against bigs from teams all over the Midwest that are bigger and stronger than the competition he’s used to?
Cam VanDam, ECI Prospects
VanDam is a jack-of-all-trades guy for Fargo Davies, stuffing the stat sheet in every possible way. Can he make that kind of impact on an all-star team? His style of play would illustrate a guy who is going to blend right in and be a glue guy. Can he be? Can he do more?
Jaiden Wright, ECI Selects
Wright was one of the best scorers in the WDA last year and he’ll have to be consistent offensively if this ECI team is going to be successful. Can he be?
Dante Gunville, ND Attack Blue
Gunville was one ND Attack’s best scorers last year and is known for his long-range shooting ability. On an ND Attack team that has a lot of guys who can create shots, he’ll have a chance to fill it up this summer.
Seth Nelson, ND Attack Blue
Nelson was one of the best players in North Dakota during his sophomore and junior year and was great last summer with ND Attack. I was disappointed when I saw him play against Beulah this past winter but a lot of that was due to a very stagnant offense that struggled to see him get the ball with any room to make a move. I’m intrigued to see him in an uptempo setting where his athleticism and skill can be highlighted a little more.
Tyler Terhark, ECI Prospects
Terhark looks like a college player with his blend of skills and size. He’s a live body who can handle the ball, finish in traffic and guard up and down a lineup. I think he’ll be one of the go-to perimeter guys on this ECI team. Will he be able to get his own shot against guys bigger or quicker than him?
Jaden Hamilton, ND Attack Black
Hamilton was one of the best players in Class B North Dakota last year and does a lot of everything for his high school team, Rugby. At 6-foot-3, he’s got the size to play on the wing at the next level and his shooting ability would point to role-playing potential. Can he stand out in an AAU setting?
Deonte Martinez, ND Attack Black
Martinez isn’t a to-be senior but he’s playing up with ND Attack’s 17U Black club and I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t one of the team’s best players. He was one of the few underclassmen to be a big time player in the WDA last winter and while he isn’t tall, he’s extremely efficient from the field. Can he produce at that kind of level against guys a year older than him?