Battle: Jack’s Top Performers and Under the Radar Prospects
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First article from new Prep Hoops Scout, Jack Pfeiffer, of And-One Films Battle at the Lakes brought together elite talent from all over the country! Here are some of Minnesota’s top performers playing in their home state! Kendall Blue Kendall…
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Continue ReadingFirst article from new Prep Hoops Scout, Jack Pfeiffer, of And-One Films
Battle at the Lakes brought together elite talent from all over the country! Here are some of Minnesota’s top performers playing in their home state!
Kendall Blue Kendall Blue 6'6" | SG East Ridge | 2022 State #242 Nation MN of D1 Minnesota – Fuhrmann (6’4 Guard, East Ridge 2022) Kendall’s game is smooth, one of the top shooters in the state. He attacked the rim and facilitated handling the ball as well. With all of that said, he had the highlight of the weekend with a huge posterizing dunk over one of the top shot blockers in the state. Kendall is already offered by numerous mid-major schools and also has the interest from a few power fives.
BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN of D1 Minnesota – Fuhrmann (6’7 Wing, Mankato East 2022) Most impressive scorer from this weekend, BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN . He averaged 21 points per game and scored at every level imaginable. BJ possesses a silky smooth jumper and slashed to the rim with ease. Not just that, he also blocked shots with his long arms and played above the rim the whole weekend. He did all of this playing against the top competition at Battle at the Lakes in pool A. Look for BJ’s stock to be sky high by the end of the AAU season.
Mitch January of D1 Minnesota Prospects – Culp (6’0 Guard, Richfield 2022) First thing that jumps out at you about Mitch’s game, his motor. The 6’0 Guard was making plays on both ends of the floor all weekend, hustling back and forth, making his presence known. Even though an ankle injury cut his weekend short, he showed flashes of his improved game with his scoring and facilitating for others. Mitch led a stacked Richfield team to the AAA state semifinals a few months ago. He also doubled as a star wideout where he finished top 10 in receiving yards last fall.
Kenji Scales Kenji Scales 6'0" | PG Eastview | 2022 State MN of Minnesota Select – Ohnstad (6’1 Guard, Eastview 2022) Kenji proved himself as one of the top shot creators and ball handlers this weekend. The Eastview guard showed out in their second game on Saturday vs D1 Minnesota and finished as the game’s leading scorer. Not just that, Kenji is looking to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the state next season. This spring is the first time I’ve seen him play and to say the least, I am beyond impressed with Kenji’s game.
Makuei Riek Makuei Riek 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2022 MN of Minnesota Heat – MacDonald (6’5 Wing, Rochester Mayo 2022) Makuei scored at will this weekend. He can pull up from anywhere and can also go downhill and take you to the rim. The 6’5” wing was also very impressive in transition and seemed to always make the right decision with the ball. Makuei also has an incredibly long wingspan which helped him to snag rebounds over opponents and block shots. These standout performances led Heat MacDonald to a perfect 4-0 record at Battle at the Lakes, winning games by an average of 16 points.
The 4-stars and 5-stars were not the only ones showing out at Battle at the Lakes! Here are some highlight performances from Saturday that might have been under your radar!
Aviyon Morris of Young & Reckless – Brim 17U (5’8 Guard, Simeon 2022) Aviyon is the definition of “Heart Over Height”. The tough guard out of Chicago was the shortest player on the floor at all times this weekend, but it did not matter. One of the top ball handlers from this weekend, he also showed off an impressive scoring skillset. Morris hit several floaters in the paint over guys 6’6+ and also possessed a consistent deep range jumper. In their first game of the day vs D1 Minnesota, Aviyon converted a four-point play to force overtime, then hit a huge and-one floater in the final seconds of OT to take down one of the top teams in the entire event. The Simeon Guard and Y&R stayed hot and finished the weekend a perfect 4-0.
Jake Butler of Minnesota Heat – Grow 17U (6’4 Guard, Minneapolis North 2022) Always looking to create, Jake showed out in their second game of the day. Despite the loss, Heat Grow was in it till the final buzzer against an extremely talented Minnesota Select team. He finished with 10 points, but made his presence felt elsewhere. Jake was diving for loose balls and playing top tier defense against some of the other top guards in the state. His shot creating is also next level, making a couple step back threes and taking the ball to the rim.
Kobe Kirk Kobe Kirk 6'2" | SG Mounds View | 2022 State MN of Minnesota Heat – Grow 17U (6’3 Guard, Mounds View 2022) Kobe showcased his scoring ability in Heat Grow’s second game of the day vs Minnesota Select. He finished with a game-high 24 points, scoring at all levels. The Mounds View shooter was hitting tough catch and shoot threes and also running in transitions getting layups. Kobe proved himself as a top tier three point shooter this weekend. He also possesses a high motor and sneaky athleticism, look for his stock to rise this AAU season.
Gabe Jobe Gabe Jobe 5'10" | SG Edina | 2022 State MN of D1 Minnesota Prospects – Culp 17U (5’10 Guard, Edina 2022) Gabe was the leading scorer for a talented Edina team this past winter averaging 20.5 points per game. He scored and facilitated very well in D1 Minnesota Prospects’ first game of the day vs Breakaway. Despite the buzzer beating loss, Gabe played very well. He was setting up teammates for easy buckets and scoring the ball himself. The 5’10 guard has made huge improvements to his game and is starting to gain attention for his play.
Samuel Musungu Samuel Musungu 6'1" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN of D1 Minnesota – Harris 16U (6’1 Guard, Andover 2023) Sam is a true floor general. A great passer and ball handler that also has a smooth jumper, what more can you ask for out of your point guard. The Junior guard was setting up teammates all game in their first matchup of the day vs Judah Nation. Sam also excelled in transition, always making the right decision to give it up or take it himself. Sam teams up with Fury guard Ben Kopetzki Ben Kopetzki 6'0" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN during the winter at Andover.