Minnesota Open Period – New Names to Know

Ryan James April 20, 2020 @ 03:53 PM

Who are some of the players that Prep Hoops learned about this weekend during this weekend’s Minnesota Open Period? Here is our group! [player_tooltip player_id="958661" first="Drew" last="Berkland"] of Wayzata (5’11 Guard 2022). Berkland is one of the state’s best three-sport athletes in his class. He was a key playmaker of the football team, a standout catcher on the baseball field, and what we saw this weekend is that Drew is coming off a double figure averaging sophomore year on the court. Defensively some of the things Drew was doing immediately rank him with one of the better defenders I’ve seen. His ability to fight to space laterally not getting screened was eye opening. Drew also made three clutch shots down the stretch (two threes and contested attack finish). We have to see how he handles the ball going forward but as far a two-way combo guard we love the way he plays. [player_tooltip player_id="958665" first="Jacob" last="Butler"] of Minneapolis North 6’2 SG 2022). When we also talk stock raisers [player_tooltip player_id="958665" first="Jacob" last="Butler"] will be featured. Butler is fantastic in ball pressure and his ability to fight to get into passing lanes and force the ball to bad spots is more than I expected for a young player. Butler also has a pretty left handed stroke that connected on more than 40 percent of his threes this year plus his lefty tear drop is a thing of beauty. Add in the crafty playmaking in transition and you have a top guard prospect in this class. [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"] of Maple Grove (6’1 SG 2022). A really good passer, a constant worker, and reliant all around competitor. That’s [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"]. What I loved about his dribble attack was his fight to win the angle and more often than not this year, Jon did. In our views against Spring Lake Park, Brainerd, and Champlin Park, Haakenson used a fake into his attack and that attack led to one of the more aggressive first dribbles you will see. Maybe not the speed of a top lead guard but more of an aggressive rush to space completing plays. Jon is a strong passer and a player that Maple Grove started because he was steady. [player_tooltip player_id="774813" first="Andrew" last="Hahn"] of Albany (6’6 C 2022). What I love about [player_tooltip player_id="774813" first="Andrew" last="Hahn"] is his ability to finish with either hand. Short makes at the rim and placement attempts off his back to the basket move, [player_tooltip player_id="774813" first="Andrew" last="Hahn"] has done both. Hahn is a 245 pound anchor on the glass that wins position and sets strong screens. Enjoyed his soft touch after moving the defender with his initial move. [player_tooltip player_id="957208" first="Ben" last="North"] of East Ridge (6’0 PG 2021). What we saw from [player_tooltip player_id="957208" first="Ben" last="North"] this weekend and at the Top Off Classic was [player_tooltip player_id="957208" first="Ben" last="North"] moving top guards in Minnesota with intelligence. North uses jab steps, quick crossovers, and ball fakes to get players to move their feet, and once the defender shifts his weight Ben has been a playmaker. North is also a quick hand defender that has turned guys over with poke aways and passing lane jumps. The way he played against Trejuan Holloman caught our eyes and that gives East Ridge three talented returning starters in North, [player_tooltip player_id="850708" first="Kendall" last="Blue"], and [player_tooltip player_id="774745" first="Drew" last="Adams"]. [player_tooltip player_id="774804" first="Kaleb" last="Skelly"] of Spring Lake Park (6’4 SF 2021). At his size, strength, and agility, Skelly is an offered football prospect that is also a double figure averaging basketball player. He has the size to guard a couple forward spots but the quickness to guard both wing spots. A strong rebounder and high percentage finisher.