Top 250 Expo Minnesota – Junior Stock Risers

Photo: Alex Conover Prep Hoops MN

Ryan James September 29, 2020 @ 05:58 PM

What juniors from the Top 250 Expo took a big step forward this weekend? Here’s some players we think have become better prospects (**Note, we already discussed Katona, Carney, and Watson-Saulsberry yesterday, but they are big stock risers as well). Jamal Ambrose of Eastview (6’9 C, 2022). Jamal is another reason I think Eastview is going to be in the middle of that top ten once again. The Lightning return a lot of talent with a ball handler (Scales), experienced and talented wings (Spann and Purcell), and some players ready to take a jump (Shannon). But what about a post to replace [player_tooltip player_id="721823" first="Steven" last="Crowl"]? Jamal isn’t going to step in and immediately fill the shoes of a Mr. Basketball candidate that is now at Wisconsin but Jamal has the touch, size, and potential to make sure that teams still have to worry about the Lightning inside. [player_tooltip player_id="958666" first="Donnavin" last="Hinsz"] of Columbia Heights (6’6 Forward, 2022). Hinsz is a legit, active, skilled, and forceful big that is about to play a massive role for the Hylanders. With [player_tooltip player_id="850719" first="Spencer" last="Alvarez"] playing the five Hinsz can supply production as a face-up four-man and an active double double talent with size. There is simply so much opportunity there for Donnavin because as a 6-foot-3 player he was skilled using his ball handling and frame to get to the rim, and now he’s grown 2-3 inches and can do similar things as a power forward. [player_tooltip player_id="850734" first="Cohen" last="Kellogg"] of Minnetonka (6’0 PG, 2022). For Cohen it’s about responding from a summer that was cut short by injury. This weekend Cohen’s dribble combinations attacking the paint were consistently effective and his understanding of space earned caught my attention. With Cohen there was no wasting time as he hit the screens/defenders hard as he turned and once in that space used that lefty touch to complete. Love his usage of the bounce pass and his perimeter touch was on this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="958716" first="Sebastian" last="Loder"] of Orono (6’2 Wing, 2022).Looking to make an impact at an event like the Expo? Be active. Not sure how to be active? Figure out how to see how Sebastian competed and copy that. Loder is a returning double figure scorer for Orono and another reason (with Connor C, Mandel, and Jacob F) that I think they will have a strong year. He spent his weekend hunting for the basketball in whatever way he could get it (trapping the opposition, chasing down boards, doubling, etc) and then turning it into opportunity the other direction. He’s a quality rebounding guard and active defender that also was one of his team’s top scoring threats inside and out. Pharrel Payne of Park of Cottage Grove (6’8 PF). Let me point this out clearly and in a way that people can understand, Pharrel Payne is a scholarship basketball player. Payne’s agility at his size, his length, and his quickness of jump are rare for players that list the way he does. When he takes the next step as an experienced, coached up big that understands the game both ways the sky is the limit. I like his scoring touch and how he makes contact to set up his deep finishes, and if Payne all of a sudden grows an inch or two, alert all schools in the area. All. [player_tooltip player_id="958691" first="Logan" last="Schmidt"] of Eagan (6’8 C, 2022). For the second straight year I want to point out how hard Logan worked to get good position around the basket. And this year let’s add in how well he ran the floor. Teammates couldn’t help but to reward Logan for his efforts. He also rebounded well allowing teammates to run. Throw in that spin move finish as well as that quick fake into the And1, Logan has a chance to have a nice junior year for the Cats. [player_tooltip player_id="958660" first="Jaden" last="Wollmuth"] of Richfield (6’7 PF/C, 2022). Once again Jaden’s understanding of the low post game and his skill/size combination won me over. He waits for the defender to make a mistake and then punishes them. For example we saw Jaden not only put a spin move on a guy, but then stun them with a balanced shoulder to complete. We also saw Jaden see his man take a step to balance themselves preparing for contact so Jaden balanced himself and hit the short jumper. Also, Jaden looks every bit 6-foot-7 standing next to guys that are 6-foot-7 or 6-foot-8.