Minnesota Heat Fall League Top Performers

Max Wagner October 13, 2020 @ 05:01 PM

The Minnesota Heat once again held their fall league last weekend in Bloomington, with a variety of club and high school teams participating. NHR was in attendance, and these were seven of the top performers we saw! Pharrel Payne (6’8 2022 F, Park of Cottage Grove)- Pharrel was playing up an age group going up against 2021 prospects, and held his own facing off against a D1 committed center. He’s a long and agile athlete, who also possesses a solid frame with potential to add on even more strength to perform in the low post. Offensively he showed that he could face up and attack off one or two dribbles, and also back down his opponents after gathering low post position. Add in a confident stroke that knocked down a pair of perimeter jumpers, and you have a high potential forward in the 2022 class. Luke Budzyn (6’7 2021 F, East Ridge)- East Ridge graduated [player_tooltip player_id="846105" first="Ben" last="Carlson"], but replenish with even more size this winter. At 6’7 and agile, Luke is able to play the 3 or 4 spots, and showed off his versatile game on Saturday. He showed off his explosiveness to finish above the rim, and also showed that he can handle the ball on the perimeter. I really like his crafty footwork when he gets in the lane to score at the rim or create space to get off his turnaround jumper. Kobe Kirk (6’2 2022 G, Mounds View)- I caught Minnesota Heat Grow in their second game of the day, and it was Kobe Kirk knocking down some tough shots on his way to 14 points and a win. He has a nice frame and length as a wing-guard prospect, and showed that he can score in a number of ways. Kobe hit a nice pull-up mid-range, and also a turnaround three pointer that may have been the toughest make I saw all day. He also scored a few times around the rim using his strength to go up and finish with defenders nearby. Rodrick Payne (6’7 2021 F/C, East Ridge)- Rodrick has all of the physical tools to be a dominant presence in the post, and the skills are starting to catch up. At 6’7 he may not be quite as tall as some other centers, but Rodrick has an extremely strong frame to simply overpower opponents in the paint. Add in the fact that he’s very light on his feet and explosive going up to finish, and you have a prospect who can contribute at a high level inside. Rodrick also surprised me with his ability to take his man off the dribble from the wing, and create shots in the paint with his footwork rather than brute force. Rodrick is also a major presence rebounding the ball on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id="957132" first="Xavier" last="White"] (6’7 2021 SF, Hopkins)- Once known primarily as a shooter, Xavier has added some length since his junior season, and is now more aggressive taking the ball to the hoop to score. In a tough game against WOTN, Xavier got off to a slow start shooting the ball, but took over in the second half taking his man off the dribble and establishing good angles to score around the basket. At 6’7 it’s hard for guys his size to stick with him on the perimeter, but put a smaller wing on him and Xavier has the high release to shoot right over him. [player_tooltip player_id="774745" first="Drew" last="Adams"] (6’7 2021 F, East Ridge)- Yet another 6’7 East Ridge prospect that stood out, [player_tooltip player_id="774745" first="Drew" last="Adams"] looks ready to make a major leap as a big contributor at the varsity level. He’s an athletic forward, who at 6’7 can play the 3 or 4 for his team, and looked extremely versatile on the offensive end. Drew had two dunks in the game I saw, including a powerful slam over a 6’7 defender that got his team fired up. The Winona State commit also showed his ability to hit the outside jumper, or get in the lane and finish through contact. [player_tooltip player_id="774795" first="Dylan" last="Gichaba"] (6’6 2021 W, Champlin Park)- Dylan had a strong two-way showing against a talented Totino-Grace squad playing with Comets Elite. At 6’6 he’s quicker than most his size, and was able to guard smaller wings on the perimeter. He blocked three jump shots on the defensive end, showcasing great timing to avoid fouling. Dylan also contributed offensively by turning the corner and extending to finish around the rim, and knocking down an open three. He also happens to boost a 3.95 GPA.