#HardWorkSZN Kickoff: 17U Players to Watch

An in-depth looks at the top players to watch in the 17U Division at the Prep Hoops Hard Work Kickoff... [player_tooltip player_id="804910" first="Nate" last="Abel"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Crusaders One of the best pure point guards at the 17U level, Abel is receiving a lot of Division 2 interest with some D1 programs also staying in constant contact. A playmaking point guard who can create for others, but also seek out his own offense, Abel is coming off a strong junior season for Beaver Dam. Heading into July, Abel ranks No. 40 in the class of 2021 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id="701973" first="Grant" last="Asman"] - 2021 - F - Wisconsin Crusaders Asman has a chance to play his way to the Division 1 level this summer/fall. The 6-foot-9 forward is an emerging prospect with skill and [caption id="attachment_828710" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/08/Grant-Asman.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-828710" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/08/Grant-Asman-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="701973" first="Grant" last="Asman"][/caption] versatility. Holding a few D2 offers, Asman has big mismatch potential with his ability to shoot the 3-ball, handle the rock, and attack off the bounce. For his size, Asman passes the ball quite well and sees the floor like a guard at times. [player_tooltip player_id="879990" first="Dustin" last="Beauprey"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Crusaders The No. 31 ranked rising senior, Beauprey is still one of the best kept secrets in the state. While he plays for little-known Mountain Top Christian Academy, Beauprey has backed up his monster numbers on the AAU circuit and is a strong Division 2 prospect. With an intriguing blend of skill and explosiveness on the ball, Beauprey has the ability to dictate the flow of the game and flat out take over offensively when needed. [player_tooltip player_id="804908" first="Carter" last="Capstran"] - 2021 - F - Wisconsin Independent A skilled and strong forward, Capstran has a chance to earn some scholarships this summer. The 6-foot-5 forward plays bigger than his size, can do the dirty work around the rim, but is also a consistent shooter from anywhere outside the paint. Although a little undersized, Capstran can hit fade away jumpers and use other finesse tools to create his own shot while playing on the block. [player_tooltip player_id="865837" first="Chevalier" last="Emery"] - 2022- PG Wisconsin Blizzard Emery A top 30 prospect in the 2022 class, Emery will be playing up a level this summer. A guard with a quick trigger from deep with above the rim ability at 5-foot-11, Emery should be one of the bigger breakout juniors next season as Neenah revamps its roster a bit. [player_tooltip player_id="804897" first="James" last="Graham"] - 2021 - SF - Wisconsin Playground Club Graham is the fastest rising player in the country. The Nicolet standout went from two high major offers, which came early in his recruitment, to more than 20 from the likes of Michigan State, Florida State, Maryland, Auburn, Oregon, Georgia, Marquette, and Xavier. A sweet-shooting wing/forward with outstanding positional size at 6-foot-9, Graham has some of the best shot-creating ability in Wisconsin. With all the attention coming his way, Graham will surely have an ’X’ on his back and it will be interesting to see how he responds. [player_tooltip player_id="804902" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"] - 2021 - SG - ABC Young Lions Black A Division 1 football and basketball prospect, Jackson is still weighing his options. South Alabama has offered on the hardwood and there’s a handful of other mid-majors interested at this time. A blue-collar guard that can score, defend, and rebound, Jackson is a blue collar two-guard who can contribute almost across the board. A natural scorer, Jackson has long arms, skills to create his own shot, and plenty of athleticism to attack the cup. [player_tooltip player_id="879991" first="Max" last="Kunnert"] - 2021 - SG - Wisconsin Sharks A prospect that Division 2 programs need to know more about, Kunnert is the No. 32 ranked player in the class of 2021. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard had a big junior season for a loaded Brookfield Academy squad. Able to score on and off the ball and from all three levels, Kunnert has [caption id="attachment_1008126" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Max-Kunnert.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1008126" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Max-Kunnert-300x154.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="154" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="879991" first="Max" last="Kunnert"][/caption] terrific upside at the next level as a guy schools can use in the catch-and-shoot game, running off screens and opening the floor, or as an extra ball handler versus pressure. Kunnert is also a high-IQ player that doesn’t get enough credit for his facilitating and drive and dish presence as well. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=carson+leuzinger+prep+hoops&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS907US907&oq=carson+leuzinger+prep+hoops&aqs=chrome..69i57.3254j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Carson Leuzinger</a> - 2022 - G - Wisconsin Independent A scoring combo guard with some nasty make-you-guess ability on the ball, Leuzinger is an instant offense type prospect. The lefty has a deadly off-the-dribble mid-range game and is a natural scorer. Division 2 programs are going to want to start getting involved with Leuzinger this summer. [player_tooltip player_id="879981" first="Kamari" last="McGee"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Playground Club Division 1 programs are starting t come on board for McGee, the No. 16 ranked player in the 2021 class. A bulldog on the floor, McGee is built like a truck and very hard to keep away from the rim. The 5-foot-10 point guard will also knock down his open shots from beyond the arc. A quality lead guard, McGee can handle the ball against pressure and draw a ton of fouls by creating contact in the backcourt or at the rim with his wide set of shoulders that punish defenders who try and get into him. [player_tooltip player_id="879996" first="Jadon" last="Melvin"] - 2021 - SF - Chapman Basketball Academy A prospect that needs a big summer, Melvin should get a fresh start here. Melvin burst onto the scene after his freshman season, but some injuries set him back as he was unable to play much last summer. A versatile wing who can play inside and out, Melvin’s body type and perimeter skill make him rather unique. He can bang on the interior or stretch the floor from 3-point range and can exploit mismatches at 6-foot-3. [player_tooltip player_id="701965" first="Cade" last="Meyer"] - 2021 - F - Wisconsin Playground Club We’ll see if Meyer can hang onto his No. 3 ranking in the 2021 class after a promising summer and junior season. The 6-foot-8 forward was the fastest rising player in the state last year and now holds a handful of DIvision 1 offers after being virtually being unknown as a sophomore. Meyer is a consistent 3-point shooter with some budding versatility and three-level scoring ability. Also an outstanding athlete, he was on the state high-jump championship as a sophomore. High major schools definitely need to evaluate Meyer more as there’s a ton of upside and untapped potential here. [player_tooltip player_id="879983" first="Antuan" last="Nesbitt"] - 2021 - W/G - Wisconsin Sharks Nesbitt ranks No. 18 in the 2021 class and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state. A long, 6-foot-3 guard/wing, Nesbitt plays pretty much four positions. He can act as a point guard and control the game from the top of the key. He’s comfortable working off the ball and finding soft spots in the defense. Nesbitt’s length also allows him to do some stuff on the interior as well. With a raw body, but deep skillset, Nesbitt’s best days are likely still ahead of him. [player_tooltip player_id="981021" first="Ashe" last="Oglesby"] - 2023 - F - Wisconsin Sharks A top 15 prospect in the 2023 class, Oglesby will test himself against rising seniors this weekend. A mobile big man who can run the floor, Oglesby showed some very strong flashes during his freshman season with The Prairie School. [player_tooltip player_id="830582" first="Cameron" last="Palesse"] - 2021 - G - Wisconsin Playground Club I believe Palesse is going to fall in line with the likes of Marcus Domask, Mitch Listau, [player_tooltip player_id="544501" first="Dalton" last="Banks"], etc. -- a prospect that walks into a mid-major and impacts them heavily for four years straight. The most consistent player in the 2021 class, Palesse just never seems to have an off night. He’s a tweener at 6-foot-4 and his game is a little bit of a point guard mixed with a high-level mid-range scorer while being long without that prototypical athleticism high-major schools want on the wing. But Palesse brings it every time out, makes others around him better, and that’s why he’s one of the most sought after mid-major prospects in the Midwest. [player_tooltip player_id="804904" first="Brian" last="Parzych"] - 2021 - G - Wisconsin Independent Parzych will be a fairly sought after Division 2 prospect and already holds a few offers. A pass-first floor general that’s more athletic than he [caption id="attachment_1008127" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Brian-Parzych.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1008127" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Brian-Parzych-300x154.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="154" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="804904" first="Brian" last="Parzych"][/caption] gets credit for, Parzych can run a team and take over offensively when needed. A tough-minded kid that doesn’t back down from a challenge, Parzych is an excellent presence on the floor and in any locker room. [player_tooltip player_id="879986" first="Tanner" last="Resch"] - 2021 - G - Wisconsin Independent One of the top shooters in the state, Resch is a legit Division 2 prospect to know. Although listed at 5-foot-11, Resch makes up for it with dangerous 3-point shooting ability and extended range that goes way beyond the 3-point arc. While his long-distance shooting gets the headlines, Resch has shown improved ability to attack off the bounce and even finish against contact at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="879988" first="Preston" last="Ruedinger"] - 2021 - PG - Fox Valley Kings Ruedinger has gotten hot on the recruiting trail, landing a few Division 2 offers. A high-IQ floor general with a terrific feel for the game, Ruedinger can run the show and create offense for his teammates. The 6-foot-1 guard is also a tough-minded, blue collar prospect with a high motor and someone who can will himself to perform in the big moments. [player_tooltip player_id="880014" first="Joe" last="Reuter"] - 2021 - SG - Wisconsin Playmakers Siler Reuter had one of the least talked about breakout junior seasons in the state. Not only did he help push Chippewa Falls to a Big Rivers Conference title, he averaged about 16, five, and five along the way while playing next to a really good college prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="801147" first="J.T." last="Seagreaves"] - 2022 - F - Wisconsin Indepenent 16U Seagreaves had a breakout sophomore season for a very good Monroe squad. At 6-foot-5, Seagreaves can play either forward position. He’s an adequate shooter from 3-point range and can also slash from the high-post. A quality passing big man as well, Seagreaves excels in the high-low game as the entry man. [player_tooltip player_id="880973" first="Colin" last="Schaefer"] - 2020 - PG - Wisconsin Independent An unsigned senior, Schaefer is one of the best available players in Wisconsin. A winner that’s coming off a big senior season, Schaefer holds a few Division 2 offers going into July. A skilled, athletic point guard, Schaefer balances being a facilitator and scorer at a high level. He’s come a long way offensively over the past year and cemented himself as a top 25 prospect in the 2020 class. [player_tooltip player_id="880029" first="Tre" last="Valeriano"] - 2021 - G - ABC Young Lions Black Word out of Milwaukee is that this kid has been working his tail off over the spring/summer. In fact, Cleveland State extended an offer to Valeriano last week. A speedy guard who can create off the dribble, Valeriano is a deadly 3-point shooter and can create space off the dribble with hesitations, fakes, and step-backs.   Others: Josh Borcher (Wisconsin Blizzard Leland), JohnMark Borcher (Wisconsin Blizzard Leland), [player_tooltip player_id="804954" first="Mack" last="Sebert"] (Wisconsin Crusaders), [player_tooltip player_id="994504" first="Jacob" last="Dietz"] (Wisconsin Crusaders), [player_tooltip player_id="880025" first="Aidan" last="Ottery"] (Wisconsin Crusaders), [player_tooltip player_id="880024" first="Ryan" last="Robillard"] (Wisconsin Blizzard Emery), [player_tooltip player_id="938201" first="Parker" last="Lawrence"] (Wisconsin Blizzard), Bernard Deszi (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="963676" first="Alex" last="Singleton"] (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="804959" first="Jay" last="Hinson"] (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="879994" first="Carter" last="Lancaster"] (Wisconsin Independent), [player_tooltip player_id="994395" first="Charlie" last="Bender"] (Wisconsin Independent), [player_tooltip player_id="865860" first="Luke" last="Fernholz"] (Wisconsin Independent 16U), [player_tooltip player_id="950101" first="Ben" last="Olson"] (Wisconsin Independent 16U), [player_tooltip player_id="761416" first="James" last="Jacobs"] (Wisconsin Independent 16U), Caden Nelson (Fox Valley Kings), Ray Zuleger (Fox Valley Kings), Matthew Waldera (Wisconsin Playmakers - Siler), [player_tooltip player_id="879993" first="Hayden" last="Doyle"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="879995" first="Brock" last="Heffner"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="880003" first="Victor" last="Desmond"] (Wisconsin Playground Club)