Breakdown Summer Series: Sunday’s Best of the Best

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hopkins was the home of the Breakdown Summer Series this past Sunday! Here are the top performers!</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962218" first="Nasir" last="Whitlock"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of DeLaSalle (6’1 Guard - 2023) Nas is one of the top bucket-getters in his class, he showcased that on Sunday. He was automatic from mid-range and beyond the arc, leading the Islanders to a division championship. Whitlock excelled in creating his own shot and also in off-ball/catch-and-shoot situations. He dished out many assists to open teammates off kick outs and in transition as well. Nas does not play like someone that just finished their sophomore year of high school, he is very poised and confident. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962214" first="Nolan" last="Winter"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Lakeville North (6’9 Forward - 2023) Nolan’s recruiting stock has grown drastically in these last couple months, rightfully so. The 6’9 stretch-four can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. He possesses an extremely quick release, making it very hard for defenders to get a hand up and contest his shots. He was not missing in their big win over a stacked Benilde-St. Margaret’s squad. It is easy to see why Winter has already picked up a hometown offer from the University of Minnesota &amp; Coach Ben Johnson. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="850727" first="Ruot" last="Jioklow"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of Park (6’2 Guard - 2022) Going into his first season with Park of Cottage Grove (transferred from Simley), RJ was showing off his driving abilities by getting to the rim whenever and however he wanted to. RJ is a very strong guard and uses that strength to his advantage to draw fouls and create three-point plays. Park is going to be loaded with talent this upcoming season and are looking to make a state tournament run in class AAAA. He will team up with AAU teammates [player_tooltip player_id="958715" first="Pharrel" last="Payne"] and [player_tooltip player_id="958678" first="Evan" last="Bearth"].</span></p> <p><b>PJ Pounds </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of DeLaSalle (6’7 Forward - 2023) PJ got very little varsity action at DeLaSalle last season, but now he is stepping into a huge role for the Islanders as an incoming junior. Pounds has unlimited potential, he was dominating the paint all day on Sunday. The 6’7 forward holds elite athleticism, showcasing that flying high for rebounds and flushing it with a dunk on the fast break. He was also doing damage in the post and playing face up. PJ is a very intriguing 2023 prospect and will continue to grow his skillset. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962246" first="Ben" last="Kopetzki"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Andover (5’11 Guard - 2023) Everytime I watch Ben play, I wonder how he makes scoring the ball look so easy. He has a silky smooth jump shot and can take you off the dribble and score at the rim while making it look like he isn’t even trying. Ben has a very high basketball IQ and seems to always make the right play when the ball is in his hands. He is running with Minnesota Fury’s top 16U team and will continue to grow as a prospect as time passes. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="962227" first="Samuel" last="Musungu"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Andover (6’2 Guard - 2023) Sam was making plays on both ends of the floor all game in their first matchup of the day versus Hutchinson. The incoming junior is a lockdown on-ball defender and can turn that into points on the offensive side, finishing himself or giving it off to teammates for open looks. He also possesses lightning quick speed and can blow by defenders with ease. Sam is playing AAU with D1 Minnesota’s top 16U team and is 1/2 of an elite 2023 backcourt duo at Andover alongside [player_tooltip player_id="962246" first="Ben" last="Kopetzki"]. </span></p> <p><b>Randy McClendon Jr. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of DeLaSalle (6’2 Guard - 2024) The freshman guard was very impressive in their morning games versus Tartan and Owatonna. He has an automatic three-point shot and was also finishing at the rim through contact. This is the first time I’ve seen Randy play since the school season during the winter and I am blown away with the confidence and scoring abilities he has gained. One of the top 2024 prospects to watch in Minnesota. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="850737" first="Maddox" last="Alipate"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">of Benilde-St. Margarets (6’1 Guard - 2022) I have been impressed with Maddox all spring. He is a sure-handed ball handler who can score the ball at all three levels and guard the opposing team’s best player. The 6’1 guard was BSM’s leading scorer versus a tough Lakeville North team, but also showed leadership, helping a lot of the younger players on the team. Whoever ends up with [player_tooltip player_id="850737" first="Maddox" last="Alipate"] at the collegiate level is getting a gem.  </span></p>