2022 Metro Stock Risers: The Guards

With the high school season just about wrapped up, and AAU season looming in the near future, I take a look back at some of the metro area guards (1’s and 2’s) who saw their stock rise over the winter. [player_tooltip player_id="850720" first="Donald" last="Ferguson"] III (6’2 2022 G, Osseo)- After missing time with injuries as a sophomore, Donald jumped into the starting lineup for a talented Osseo squad as a junior. Donald has some nice length and has been steadily improving as an athlete, and combines that with a great feel for the game. He plays with nice pace when handling the ball, and is capable of creating for himself and others off the dribble. When playing without the ball, he’s the type of player that a defense always needs to account for, as leaving him open from beyond the arc can lead to a quick three points next to his name in the box score. Ferguson was always regarded as one of the top shooters in his class, and saw the rest of his game improve as well as he averaged 9 ppg for a well balanced team. [player_tooltip player_id="958669" first="Kenji" last="Scales"] (6’1 2022 PG, Eastview)- Playing JV last year due to the deep and experienced 2020 class at Eastview, Kenji was given the opportunity for heavy minutes this season and exceled playing both guard spots. From what I had seen before Kenji always had a strong handle and was an unselfish player with good passing vision. He could take his man off the dribble, get into the paint, and then dump it off to a big or kick it out to an open shooter. This season he showcased the ability to score in a variety of ways, attacking either side of the basket for some tough finishes, or curling off screens without the ball and firing off threes at a high percentage. He averaged 14.7 ppg for one of the top teams in Class AAAA this season, and will be watched heavily by college coaches this spring/summer. [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"] (6’1 2022 PG, Maple Grove)- Maple Grove is still rolling after advancing to the semi-finals of the Class AAAA state tournament, and a large part of that success has been [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"]’s improvements. One of the scrappiest defenders you’ll find, Jon isn’t afraid of picking up and defending all 94 feet, and it’s very rare to find someone beat him to a loose ball. His toughness and vocal leadership is contagious and really gets his team going when they need it. Offensively he’s always had a quick burst to get to the basket and score through contact, and this year he’s started pulling up from three off the dribble, often hitting from well beyond the high school arc. Averaged a team leading 13.3 points, 5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id="958768" first="Vlad" last="Ciubotaru"] (6’ 2022 G, Minnetonka)- Vlad burst on to the scene this year with his scoring and flashy passing ability for Minnetonka. His vision and creativity passing the ball rank among the best I saw in the metro, as he could thread the needle in the lane or drop a no-look pass with ease. He plays with nice pace with the ball, and remains unfazed under defensive pressure. A capable shooter from three who also has the strength and body control to finish at the rim, Vlad averaged 14.3 ppg over the course of his junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="958742" first="Terrence" last="Brown"] (5’11 2022 PG, Columbia Heights)- Not only did Terrence grow physically from his sophomore year, but his hard work in the offseason also saw his playmaking ability improve. Terrence ended up among the best in the state in assist numbers, averaging 6.2 a game, including a season high of 11 in a win over Brooklyn Center. His ability to control the flow of the game was a key to Columbia Heights’ success, as he acted like another coach on the floor at times. He was a vocal leader who helped his team get into their offense, passed the ball ahead to help his team get transition buckets, and provided scrappiness and the ability to draw charges on the defensive end. Also averaged 7.3 points and 1.7 steals per game while also shooting 38.6% from three. [player_tooltip player_id="1143878" first="Leo" last="Torbor"] (6’3 2022 SG, Park Center)- One of the most explosive athletes in the 2022 class, Leo played a key role for Park Center whether it was off the bench or in the starting lineup at times. He’s extremely dangerous when he gets a full head of steam going to the basket, as his quick burst allows him to get his defender on his hip where he could then extend to finish with either hand. In transition he’s a walking highlight as his explosiveness off two feet allowed him to throw down some dunks with authority, and those dunks always helped get his team fired up. On the defensive end he’s an intense player able to apply ball pressure and help to contest shots in the paint. Averaged 7 ppg throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id="1144095" first="Miles" last="Smith"] (6’2 2022 SG, Eden Prairie)- Miles will be a player that coaches will want to keep an eye on as his length at 6’2 and shooting touch make him a solid looking prospect. I caught him in a strong performance against St. Louis Park, where he impressed with his smooth lefty release from beyond the arc. He hit a couple of threes trailing the ball in transition, then stepping right into a shot off the catch, and also was able to get into space by passing and then quickly relocating to get off a clean look. With a shooter as good as he is, his ability to get into space without the ball makes him a player that defenses always have to account for. Averaged 10.3 ppg for a solid squad playing in a loaded conference.