17u Preview – The Minnesota Matrix

<p>What Minnesota 17u talents are competing in Matrix green this summer if there is a season?  Get to know the players making up the Minnesota Matrix in 2020. </p> <p><strong>Nick DeLuca</strong> of Apple Valley (5’11 PG). Nick came off the Eagles bench and was a consistent, tough rotation player.  He has a chance to move into a starting role in the future.</p> <p><strong>Kortland Johnsen</strong> of Apple Valley (6’3 SF).  Kortland stepped forward and had an all league honorable mention season for the Eagles and will be looking to take even more steps forward with the Matrix.  Johnson averaged eight a game for the Eagles, was an active rebounder, and a very good passer for a team that had trouble scoring a lot of times.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774872" first="Luke" last="Kush"]</strong> of Little Falls (6’4 SF). Luke is a versatile talent that could have a break out summer.  He’s the type of athlete that is agile enough to move away from the basket but plays with strength and effort that allows him to rebound and be productive near the rim as well.  Averaged 13 points and six boards this year. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774869" first="Bode" last="Magnuson"]</strong> of Pequot Lakes (5’10 PG). Bode scored 18 points a game this winter for a 19 win team that played above expectations.  He’s a quick, tough player that at times put his team on his back in leadership situations. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957611" first="Ethan" last="Opsahl"]</strong> of Sauk Rapids-Rice (6’4 PF). Ethan is another Matrix player we are excited to see because he also falls into the "breakout season" category.  The Storm was in need of another consistent scoring option and Opsahl gave it to them. Scored 15 points per game.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774845" first="Jayden" last="Philippi"]</strong> of Rocori (5’11 SG). Jayden is a fantastic shooter that plays as hard as anybody he takes the court with.  The type of guy that others love to compete with, type of player that gets the captain tag and all teammates respect it. Scored 13 points a game. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774897" first="Griffin" last="Rushin"]</strong> of Brainerd (6’5 SF). Our view of Griffin this year was a long forward that stretched the defense with a quality shooting stroke that he is working towards more consistency.  Rushin earned honorable mention all league honors after become a consistent scoring threat for Brainerd averaging 11 points and five boards a game. </p> <p><strong>Sam Stolzenberg</strong> of St. Cloud Cathedral (6’0 SG).  Another Stolzenberg, another excellent shooter, another guy that could score in double digits in a reliant way for Cathedral.  Became more and more reliant as the season moved on potentially becoming a main option next season. </p> <p><strong>Ben Wright</strong> of Mora (6’1 SG). Ben is a heady, well coached young man who has a good feel for the game and the respect of his teammates.  Ben was a captain as a junior and he’s a multi-sport standout. Mora’s leading scorer at 14.4 points a contest. </p> <p><strong>Ryan Zastrow</strong> of Hermantown (6’0 PG). Ryan was a junior varsity player on a good Hermantown team last winter. </p>