Rumble Up North – New Names to Know

<p>Who are some new players in the state of Minnesota that we were able to learn about this weekend?  NHR breaks down those names now. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="960334" first="Aidan" last="Atkins"]</strong> of Minnesota Heat Grow (5’11 PG of Bloomington Jefferson; 2022).  Aidan is a tough point guard with speed who seems to always make the right play. Averaged double figures with four assists per game and only two turnovers the entire weekend. He’s willing to pick up his man full court and showed some solid on-ball defense. And let’s say this again, a lead guard that had only two turnovers the entire weekend. </p> <p><strong>Evan Hoy</strong> of Minnesota Crossfire Jorgenson (6’7 C of STMA; 2021). Got a chance to see Evan and his team play another time and Evan Hoy is taking some good steps forward.  The biggest thing for me is that Evan is starting to be more assertive.  He’s finishing at a higher percentage simply reacting quicker to produce and is rebounding in bigger numbers.  Must of had 11-12 boards in the contest we looked at (the camera didn’t always follow the carom so maybe it was more).  Evan and teammate Joey Bruggers (from Mounds View) are two guys that have taken quality steps.  </p> <p><strong>Michael Kang</strong> of Gain Elite (6’5 Wing of Apple Valley; 2022).  This young man has a real chance to develop into a nice player.  Kang showed off a nice touch this weekend using a dribble and extending to touch in shots around the basket and then scoring off a dribble at the elbow area, and a dribble inside that area. Has developed the ability to consistently create his own shot and get to his attempt regularly.  As he gets stronger in his core, and more consistent in his completion, Michael is going to be a double digit scorer in the South Suburban, </p> <p><strong>Cashaun Kobold</strong> of Minnesota Jazz (6’3 Wing of Bloomington Jefferson; 2022).  Kobold had a big weekend highlighted by a 29 point performance in the Jazz championship game victory over R.I.S.E. out of Chicago.  Cashaun is strong enough that he can play around the basket and often did this weekend using his wide body to move others and finish.  The memorable highlights though were his six threes made in the title game as well as the game winning foul shots. </p> <p><strong>Jack Leifker</strong> of Minnesota Heat Bohrer (6’7 C of Spring Lake Park; 2021). I feel like each week we seem to find another new Spring Lake Park talent that raises our expectations for the Panthers next season.  [player_tooltip player_id="774812" first="Trey" last="Johnston"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774804" first="Kaleb" last="Skelly"], two strong pieces. [player_tooltip player_id="958676" first="Nick" last="Ojile"] will be a good sophomore forward.  Fitz Wreh?  A player that has surely caught our attention this summer. And this weekend we learned of Jack Leifker, a big that should fit in well with his team.  Good post defender, rebounded solid, set good screens, and has a chance to give the Panthers a solid five. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958771" first="Emmanuel" last="Manyuon"]</strong> of Minnesota Lightning (6’1 Guard of Austin; 2022). Emmanuel might really surprise some people this winter because this is a guard that has a knack for scoring the ball.  He gave the Lightning a legit third scoring option making shots at the ac and scoring at the rim.  Manyuon was consistent for the Lightning all weekend scoring on 4-5 possessions game by game helping his team go 4-0 for the weekend.  We were able to see flashes of Emmanuels potential last fall at the Combine and this summer it’s clear that he is about to be a key figure for Coach Fadness in Austin. </p> <p><strong>Domanik Paulson</strong> of Minnesota Rise (6’2 Guard of WEM; 2022).  WEM was a top Class A team last season and a big reason for that was Paulson taking pressure off of [player_tooltip player_id="955648" first="Grant" last="McBroom"] and giving the team a second scorer (averaged 15 a game). Paulson has been solid for the Rise all summer but this weekend he exploded including 21 in the loss over FAB and then a game high 17 in the championship game victory.  Paulson will double as the WEM quarterback (next spring now) and the top returning player for the basketball team. </p>