High Potential 2022 Prospects Pt. 1
The 2022 class in Minnesota appears to be loaded with college prospects of all levels. From names known on a national level, to prospects still waiting to breakout on to the local scene. These seven prospects are ranked outside of…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 class in Minnesota appears to be loaded with college prospects of all levels. From names known on a national level, to prospects still waiting to breakout on to the local scene. These seven prospects are ranked outside of the top-10, but have the potential to rise in the rankings over their remaining two years of high school.
Cody Pennebaker Cody Pennebaker 6'5" | SF Park Center | 2022 State MN (6’4 2022 CG, St. Francis)- Cody has been flying way under the radar, and after averaging 13.7 ppg in his first season playing varsity, expect him to rise substantially in our next rankings update. I’m not saying he’s the next Tyrell Terry, but there are a lot of similarities in both their frames and feel for the game. Cody looks like a natural with the ball in his hands, is a crafty finisher around the rim, and can knock down threes off the catch or dribble (even kicks his right leg out similar to Tyrell Terry). He was listed at 6’2 during the high school season, but has grown to 6’4, further adding to his potential.
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN (6’8 2022 PF, Byron)- With a similar mold to 2018 prospect Sy Chatman, Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN is long, mobile, and explosive. There’s still work to be done skill-wise, but he has the physical tools that simply can’t be taught. He averaged around 8 ppg as a sophomore, but consistently made an impact on the defensive end as a shot blocker and shot adjuster. Ahjany is a hard worker on the glass, is comfortable shooting open threes, and has shown flashes of the ability to attack off the dribble from the wing.
Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN (6’7 2022 F, Edina)- An intriguing mix of length and perimeter skills makes for a forward prospect with a high ceiling to improve. At around 6’7-6’8 Brady has the height to play the 4, but is mobile and has skills to play on the wing as a 3. Offensively he has touch to hit from beyond the arc, and can compete on the glass for second chance points. Brady also has excellent vision on his outlet passes, able to rebound and whip the ball up the floor to a sprinting teammate. He averaged 10.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
Buom Jock Buom Jock 6'5" | SF Mankato West | 2022 VA (6’4 2022 W, Mankato West)- After averaging 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game as a sophomore, Buom Jock Buom Jock 6'5" | SF Mankato West | 2022 VA looks like a name to know in Mankato. With his 6’4 frame and athleticism in the open floor, he has the physical tools to make for an intriguing prospect. But he’s more than that, as Buom possesses a smooth pull-up jumper that he knocks down consistently from mid-range. He can stop on a dime to get his shot off, and with his long arms he has no problem hitting over his defender. Add in his crafty finishing ability, and Buom could see his name make a jump in our next rankings update.
BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN (6’6 2022 W, Mankato East)- Another intriguing prospect in the Mankato area, BJ has the type of length and mobility that is enough to catch any coach’s eye. Add in to the ability to glide in the air for open floor dunks, block shots at an extremely high level for a wing, and knock down the outside shot with ease, and BJ is one of the most intriguing prospects in the state. His length allows him to effectively guard multiple spots on the floor, and he’s so fluid attacking the basket off the dribble where he can finish at the rim or knock down the pull-up jumper. A 2022 name that D1 coaches need to get familiar with.
De’Meiko Anderson De’Meiko Anderson 6'1" | SG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN (5’11 2022 G, Minneapolis North)- Though De’Meiko doesn’t have the size of the other players on this list, his ability to knock down deep jumpers off the catch or dribble make him extremely dangerous moving forward. Anderson shot 39% (based on available stats) from three as a sophomore, often shooting from well beyond the high school line, and is unfazed with a hand in his face. He is a quick handler in the open floor, and has an impressive lay-up package that allows him to finish around size. Minneapolis North returns with a loaded lineup next season so De’Meiko’s numbers may not rise much, but he is a dangerous player who could make a name for himself as a prospect.
Blessed Barhayiga Blessed Barhayiga 6'9" | C Osseo | 2022 State MN (6’9 2022 C, Osseo)- There’s a lot to like about the size and sturdy frame of Blessed Barhayiga Blessed Barhayiga 6'9" | C Osseo | 2022 State MN as a low-post prospect, and he adds in determination to compete on both ends of the floor. Blessed competes on the glass which can lead to easy finishes inside using his soft touch, and he has also shown flashes of improving footwork to create his own shot on the block. The fight for position is there, as well as the ability to drift off the ball to find space for his teammates to feed him under the rim. Blessed averaged 4.8 ppg as a sophomore on a well-balanced Osseo team, and although he is still relatively raw, there’s a lot of potential to grow as a college prospect.