Week One’s Prospect Standouts

<p>With week one of the high school season officially wrapped up in Minnesota, I take a look back at the top prospects that I was able to watch play over the shortened week!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="532574" first="Chet" last="Holmgren"] (7’ 2021 PF/C, Minnehaha Academy)- </strong>An obvious choice here, Chet simply dominated in abbreviated playing time during Saturday’s win. The 7-footer showed off a postionless offensive skill-set, running the point at times, leading the break in transition, and scoring with ease from the block. One play that summed up Chet’s abilities the best was when he blocked a pull-up shot on one end, and then took just two dribbles to get from the opposing free throw line to the rim for a dunk. Chet put up 20 of his 26 points in the first half, and also put up 12 rebounds and 5 blocks.</p> <p><strong>Kobe Kirk (6’3 2022 SG, Mounds View)- </strong>Mounds View has the look of a team on the rise, with Kobe Kirk ready to play a key role in that transition. Kobe began to emerge over the summer and fall, and in his junior season debut put up an impressive 20 points in a win over CDH. At 6’3 he has the length to play at the next level, and the confident shooting stroke to hit from beyond the arc over a close out. Kobe comes off screens with his hands ready to receive and quickly elevate for the shot, and he also did a nice job of attacking the rim off a ball screen before completing at the rim for a clutch bucket late. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] (6’4 2023 G, Totino-Grace)- </strong>As just a sophomore Taison is already one of the most skilled offensive players in the state, and he put that scoring ability on full display in a season opening win. Late in the first half he decided to take over, pulling up from deep for three shots beyond the arc, connecting from way downtown before calmly getting back on defense. His ability to create space with a crossover is second-to-none, as he can go 0-60 in the blink of an eye before pulling-up or blowing by his man to get to the rim. Put up 24 points in a win over a tough Maple Grove squad.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850717" first="Cade" last="McGraw"] (5’10 2022 PG, Shakopee)- </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850717" first="Cade" last="McGraw"] came into Saturday’s game against Apple Valley ready to play, knocking down a couple of early threes on his way to 11 points. His quick release and range well beyond the arc allows him to get a shot up over size, and his quickness with the ball in his hands also helped to draw in help defenders before kicking it out to an open teammate. Most impressive was his defensive effort, picking up opposing ball handlers full court at times, on one possession poking the ball free before laying out on the floor for a jump ball. Not always a big numbers player, but makes a lot of smart and effort plays to help his team win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"] (6’1 2022 PG, Maple Grove)- </strong>Jon is a prospect who I really grew to appreciate over the summer with Howard Pulley, simply because of what he brings to the floor defensively. I saw him shut down D1 offered players constantly over the summer months, with a lot of those players being 2021 prospects as Pulley often played up an age group. Against Totino-Grace, that effort was evident as he was fighting over screens and providing constant ball pressure to opposing ball handlers. On the offensive end he was aggressive getting to the basket, and did a good job of drawing contact to get to the line on his way to 22 points and 5 assists.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850702" first="Prince" last="Aligbe"] (6’7 2022 SF, Minnehaha Academy)- </strong>Defensive versatility and consistent finishing at the rim. That’s what [player_tooltip player_id="850702" first="Prince" last="Aligbe"] brought to the floor for Minnehaha in their home opener. With an impressive combination of length, athleticism, and physicality, Prince was consistently able to move his feet to guard opposing players half a foot shorter than him, while also acting as a help-side rim protector, swatting multiple looks off the backboard. His defensive also led to transition opportunities, where he showed off his high flying dunk package. In the halfcourt Prince excelled at backing down smaller wings, and also stepped out and knocked down a three with confidence on his way to 18 points.</p> <p><strong>Kortland Johnsen (6’4 2021 G, Apple Valley)- </strong>A long and versatile guard, Kortland finished with a team high 13 points for Apple Valley against Shakopee. He did so in efficient fashion, knocking down a pull-up mid-range and a couple of shots from beyond the arc. His length and athleticism stick out right away, and allow him to guard a variety of spots on the floor. I was also impressed with his patience and shot selection, as he never forced anything offensively and took high percentage looks that you can tell he’s put in the reps working on in the off-season. In for a strong senior campaign.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774895" first="Caden" last="Boettcher"] (6’4 2021 SF, Maple Grove)- </strong>Caden’s effort on the glass all night long helped Maple Grove contend with Totino-Grace to the very end, as Caden simply found ways to get the ball in good positions to score, and outrebounded size consistently. His ability to grab offensive rebounds or slide into space around the rim led to plenty of easy looks, and his fight through contact allowed him to finish at a high rate. Caden also showed a bit of pick-and-pop ability stepping out and hitting a three. Finished with a 23 point and 15 rebound double-double.</p>