Week One’s Underclassman Standouts
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As we get started with week two of the boy’s high school basketball season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a look back at some of the standout underclassmen from week one! I was able to catch all of these players live…
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Continue ReadingAs we get started with week two of the boy’s high school basketball season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a look back at some of the standout underclassmen from week one! I was able to catch all of these players live or on film, and they managed to make their presence felt as freshmen and sophomores. All stats via wissports.net and Twitter.
Ethan Thomas Ethan Thomas 6'7" | PF Whitnall | 2023 State WI (6’9 2023 PF/C, Whitnall)- One of the top up-and-coming bigs in Wisconsin, Ethan looks like a much improved scorer as he starts his sophomore year. In Whitnall’s lone game last week coming against Wisconsin Lutheran, Ethan faced a tough individual matchup but was still able to score 12 points, a new career high after averaging 4.3 ppg as a freshman. Ethan had a two hand dunk rolling to the basket, finished through contact, and ran the floor hard for a transition bucket. His frame suggests that he’s capable of adding more muscle over the next few years, and combined with his mobility and touch around the rim, that could make him a very dangerous post player.
Amari McCottry (6’5 2024 SF, Saint Thomas More)- Although it’s still very early, Amari has been one of the most impressive 2024 players I’ve seen in Wisconsin since the summer. He played with the loaded Wisconsin Playground Club 14u, and has looked more than comfortable producing at the varsity level in the two games I watched. At 6’5 he’s a long and lanky wing prospect who can handle the ball well for a freshman his size. He saw some time playing as a point-forward, and was consistently able to beat his man off the dribble and get to the rim to finish. Amari has a really nice spin-move to create open looks inside, and also showcased a smooth stroke from three. The versatile freshman scored 15 in his debut against Cudahy, and added 10 points against Racine Lutheran.
Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #273 Nation WI (6’4 2023 G, Wisconsin Lutheran)- There’s a lot to like about Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #273 Nation WI as a prospect, and he looks ready to turn last year’s potential into production as a sophomore. In his season debut against Whitnall he scored 16 points in a win, showcasing his versatility as his team’s point guard. Young has good positional size, a solid frame, and a nice blend of quickness and explosiveness that already make him an intriguing prospect. Add in his ability to create off the dribble whether it be attacking the basket or finding space for a jumper, and he’s already a reliable scoring option. Against Whitnall I really liked his ability to change direction quickly off the dribble and get his defender on his hip to score at the rim, as well as his ability to turn defense into transition offense in a hurry.
Kaleb Shannon (5’11 2023 G, The Prairie School)- Prairie has a very deep group of guards this season, and one of them that’s taking a step forward is Kaleb Shannon. He’s a solid all-around athlete with strength and quickness that he’s able to use to effect the game defensively. Against Union Grove, he impressed with his ability to sit in a stance and lock in on the defensive end. Kaleb has typically done most of his scoring by attacking the basket off the dribble or in transition, but ended up scoring all 9 of his points from beyond the arc, showcasing a more versatile scoring package than I had originally known of.
Mac Wrecke Mac Wrecke 6'5" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State #272 Nation WI (6’4 2023 W, Arrowhead)- One of the state’s premier class of 2023 prospects, Mac Wrecke Mac Wrecke 6'5" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State #272 Nation WI scored 14 points against #1 ranked Brookfield Central, adter putting up 28 and 26 in his previous two games. Although it was his lowest scoring output, Mac showed a lot of promise. He’s physically advanced for his age, and combined with his 6’4 frame he was able to guard multiple spots both on the perimeter and inside. Offensively he had the strength to get to the rim and overpower his defender to score, and towards the end of the game he showed a quick pull-up jumper from mid-range that could become a key piece to his game over the next couple of years.
Aiden Konop (6’ 2024 G, Sussex Hamilton)- Although Aiden scored just two points in each of his two games last week, he stood out to me on the defensive end. Just a freshman, Aiden was tasked with guarding Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI towards the end of the Menomonee Falls game, and did a solid job of slowing him down after Seth had already put up nearly 30 points. He worked extremely hard getting through screens and moving his feet on the perimeter.
Kon Knueppel (6’3 2024 G, Wisconsin Lutheran)- Yet another promising prospect out of Wisconsin Lutheran, Kon made his presence felt on both ends of the floor against Whitnall. Tasked with guarding one of the state’s top juniors at times, Kon drew an offensive foul and forced another turnover by moving his feet and using quick hands to poke the ball free. Offensively he was a Swiss Army Knife type of player, knocking down a three, scoring off an offensive rebound, and attacking off the dribble for two more scores and a nice assist. He understands angles well and is able to use his body to shield off his defender when going up to finish. A really versatile player with a lot of promise as a prospect.