Minnesota Open Period (2) – Top 2021 Performers
The depth of talent in the 2021 class seems to grow with each game I’ve watched in the Minnesota Open Period. Here are more of the top performances from last weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"] DJ Akpati DJ Akpati 6'0"…
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Continue ReadingThe depth of talent in the 2021 class seems to grow with each game I’ve watched in the Minnesota Open Period. Here are more of the top performances from last weekend.
[player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"]DJ Akpati DJ Akpati 6'0" | PG Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN of Totino-Grace (6’0 PG). There are some things in DJ’s game that we have really become excited about. DJ seems to have crafted a jab step right into a crossover back left in a way that defenses struggle with. We saw four basket attacks in two games using the move plus Akpati seems to be crafting how to use a ball screen to advance his attack and the attack of the offense. I also enjoyed the way DJ attacked the ball handler when Osseo tried to use the ball screen both when the Eagles doubled off the ball screen and when DJ battled after the pick.
Eddie Beeninga Eddie Beeninga 6'1" | PG Wayzata | 2021 State MN of Wayzata (6’1 Guard). An intelligent basketball player finds cracks in his opponent to contribute in bigs ways and Eddie was able to do that against Hopkins. Hopkins only had one player that could move his feet with a speedy lead guard but the Trojans have so many players with lead guard speed that Hopkins wasn’t able to keep a body in front of all of them. That’s where Eddie was attacking bigger wings to his right for numbers. And in the past we have seen examples of that Beeninga touch and ball pressuring success.
Devin Burger Devin Burger 6'6" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN of Totino-Grace (6’6 Forward). The past two weeks I have really developed an appreciation for Devin’s basketball intelligence. First it was the way he passed the basketball but against Osseo Burger’s cuts to the rim against young defenders led to scores and with the ball Devin had a late game rip-through on the wing attacking baseline to the rim for a clutch And1. My favorite part was two of Devin’s relocations after moving the ball leading to a return score. Burger has some Dane Zimmer in him with less size and more comfort shooting with range.
[player_tooltip player_id="532560" first="Ryan" last="Dufault"]Ryan Dufault Ryan Dufault 5'11" | PG Waseca | 2021 State MN of Waseca (6’0 PG). We’ve spoken a lot about Ryan lately clearly telling the college basketball coaches of the world that he’s a scholarship level point guard. What do we love about him the most? Ryan’s toughness. He has a lot of assets as a basketball player but my favorite is the fearlessness that Ryan plays with plus the results that come with it. First guy running into battle every time and his soldiers/teammates always follow.
Andre Gray Andre Gray 6'4" | SG Mpls North | 2021 State MN of Hopkins (6’3 SG). Areas of growth that I have seen from Andre this year include defensive consistencies and his abilities using his strength to attack opponents for attempts. Hopkins has a lot of good basketball players on their roster so if you are on the floor in the final minutes that means you are a trusted player and in the close games we have seen Andre is right there on the floor competing. His first step is explosive and often teams have to defend Andre with a player not as strong so once he gets the angle to the rim chances are strong he is producing with a balanced finish.
Paris Johnson Paris Johnson 6'4" | SG St. Louis Park | 2021 State MN of St. Louis Park (6’2 SG). Johnson was a 20 point per game guy as a sophomore but the understanding of how to get to space wasn’t quite there, it was raw ability getting numbers. Paris has now learned how to craft space with and without the basketball and now we are getting a chance to see him produce baskets on a hard cut to space as well as attacking the angles into scores Johnson’s one hand finish of Holmgren was a thing of beauty and his second move after the defender caught up was impossible to contest.
Martez Redeaux Martez Redeaux 6'4" | SF Mankato West | 2021 State MN of Mankato West (6’4 PF). Martez was the most improved player at Mankato West this year leading the team in scoring (in the games recorded by the Hub). Martez’s deep post strength led to him guarding opposing fives and his low post scoring in high percentage areas was a key part to the Scarlet improvements. Martez is a feisty rebounder that recorded a number of double doubles and he become a reliant scorer for West.
Davon Townley of Minneapolis North (6’6 PF). So may improvements in so many ways! Townley’s face-up ability with the ball has grown in many ways including a dribble separation move and the comfort with the ball while making an explosive move. His jumper from mid-range looks more comfortable and of course he’s an explosive finisher that battles ahead of the defense with his effort. I love how Davon runs the floor and late in games he seems to want the ball and we saw Townley have success as the late game go-to scorer.