Hard Work Finals: Wisconsin Superlatives

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Wisconsin prospect superlatives from the 2019 Prep Hoops Hard Work Finals…

17U MVP

Gerald Gittens Gerald Gittens 6'0" | PG St. John's Military Academy | 2020 State WI – Wisconsin Rap

Closing out his AAU career in style, Gittens took his game up to a whole new level this weekend. Gittens simply wants to get downhill and force defenders to stop him. He’s undersized, but plays with a bulldog mentality and has terrific upper body strength as well as above the rim athleticism. Not known as a shooter, Gittens has quickly improved his perimeter game and opened some eyes in that regard. Helping lead Wisconsin Rap to the 17U championship, Gittens dropped 30 points in a win over the Minnesota Comets.

Runner-Up: Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI (Wisconsin Rap)

16U MVP

Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson 6'2" | SG Whitefish Bay | 2021 State WI – ABC Young Lions

The Young Lions were the lone Wisconsin team to make the semifinals. Continuing to fly under the radar nationally, Jackson has been one of the best-kept secrets over the last six months. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has prototypical size and length. He has so many tools as a scorer, whether that’s on the block, mid-range, or off the dribble from the perimeter. A kid that can definitely play his way to the Division 1 level if he can improve his overall athleticism and explosiveness, Jackson capped off a great summer in Minnesota.

Runner-Up: Cade Meyer Cade Meyer 6'8" | PF Monroe | 2021 State #237 Nation WI (Wisconsin Playground Club)

15U MVP

Leon Bond Leon Bond 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State #62 Nation WI – JH1 Elite

The secret is out. Bond is a bonafide stud in the 2022 class. The Tosa East forward wowed me in the last two outings, including a near upset over Wisconsin Playground Club in the quarterfinals. Bond is already proving to be a special prospect, but the scary part is, I’m not sure he’s even close to his ceiling. The 6-foot-4 combo forward is a plus-length, athletic prospect who can handle the ball and do tremendous things in transition. But he’s still developing a mid-range and 3-point shot, as well as a back-to-the-basket game — two things he did flash in Minnesota. If all else fails, this kid’s motor will take him far. He brings it on both ends for 36 minutes every time out.

Runner-Up: Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI (Wisconsin Playground Club)

BEST PROSPECT

Jeffery Brazziel Jeffery Brazziel 6'4" | SF Martin Luther | 2022 #159 Nation AZ – Wisconsin Playground Club

Bond can go here as well, but in an effort to try and spread the wealth, Brazziel has cemented his status as a top three prospect in the 2022 class…if not better. The raw, but gifted scorer has added to his game this summer. A long-strider that’s been darn near impossible to keep away from the rim, Brazziel has improved his mid-range and 3-point consistency. In-state programs are already drooling over his upside as Brazziel gets above the rim easily and isn’t even close to being fully developed physically.

Others: Leon Bond Leon Bond 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State #62 Nation WI , Cade Meyer Cade Meyer 6'8" | PF Monroe | 2021 State #237 Nation WI

BEST SHOOTER

Aaron Tennies Aaron Tennies 5'11" | PG West Bend West | 2021 State WI – Wisconsin Rap

We watched Tennies connect on nine 3-pointers in a win Saturday morning. Killing the 1-3-1 zone, Tennies set up shot in the corners and let it fly all game long. Tennies contributed in other ways as well. A scrappy guard with a good build, Tennies rebounds well for his size and isn’t afraid to battle under the rim.

BREAKOUT PERFORMER

Shilo Bowles Shilo Bowles 6'7" | PF West Allis Central | 2020 State WI – Wisconsin Rap

Love seeing guys who have clearly been working in the gym and are able to apply it when the times comes. Bowles used to be more of a junkyard dog. While he’s still that, the 6-foot-5 forward has added a nice offensive package to his game. The West Allis Central standout is much improved as a ball handler and a shooter, able to even knock down 3’s off the dribble. A kid that gives everything he’s got for 36 minutes, Bowles is becoming extremely intriguing as a prospect and has Division 1 upside.

SURPRISE PERFORMER

James Randolph James Randolph 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa West | 2020 State WI – Wisconsin Surge

When I first saw Randolph in Las Vegas last year, I really didn’t consider him a college prospect. He had obvious upside and a high ceiling, but honestly, I thought he was the type of the player that would never come close to reaching that potential. A year later, Randolph has proved me wrong. Consistently in double figures throughout the weekend, Randolph is showing signs of being a late bloomer. He’s got a very intriguing frame that college programs will love and now his skill set is starting to catch up. I’ll be considering him for a spot in the top 50 when the rankings are updated in August.

BEST FLOOR GENERAL

Ashton Janowski Ashton Janowski 6'1" | CG Pewaukee | 2022 State WI – JH1 Elite

I think Janowski might be a top 15 prospect in the 2022 class. He was sensational in two games that I saw, including against a loaded Wisconsin Playground Club squad. The energy that Janowski brought to the point guard position was unmatched. The Pewaukee native is very shifty and can finish around the rim at top end speed.

TOP POST PRESENCE

Brock Heffner Brock Heffner 6'7" | PF Grafton | 2021 State WI – ABC Young Lions

A big body with a finesse post game, Heffner has come a long way since the spring. An old school post prospect, Heffner has the type of game that’s going to carry him well into his 40’s and 50’s when he’s running at the local YMCA. While it’s easy to get excited about guys who go above the rim, 90 percent of the game is still played below the cylinder. Heffner showed off an array of moves, fakes, and counters on the block and his footwork was arguably the best in the entire field.

Others: Leon Bond Leon Bond 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State #62 Nation WI (JH1 Elite), Shilo Bowles Shilo Bowles 6'7" | PF West Allis Central | 2020 State WI (JH1 Elite)

UNSUNG HERO

Aiden Flynn Aiden Flynn 6'5" | PF Marquette | 2020 State WI – Wisconsin Rap

Flynn is good enough to be the feature option on a lot teams. But, playing alongside Gittens, Bowles, and Podziemski, shots aren’t always coming in bunches. However, that doesn’t stop Flynn from making the most of his opportunities. The 6-foot-5 forward shoots a very high percentage from the field and the Rap love to run sets for him that allow him to cut through the paint and get momentum going to the rim. Opponents generally have to pick their poison when they face the Rap and if they forget about Flynn, he makes them pay.