NHR State: Max’s Day 1 Standouts
In this article:
The NHR State Tournament kicked off last night at Hopkins High School, with a variety of teams across the state competing. I was able to catch three games and these are seven of the prospects who stood out! Ryan Warren…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe NHR State Tournament kicked off last night at Hopkins High School, with a variety of teams across the state competing. I was able to catch three games and these are seven of the prospects who stood out!
Ryan Warren (6’3 2022 G, E1T1 17 Premier)- Ryan Warren dominated the first half for E1T1, and it helped them pull off a comfortable win in their opener. At 6’3 his size was simply too much for opposing guards to handle when he got to the rim, as he scored five baskets in the paint both off the drive and some offensive boards. Finishing with 18 points, Ryan also added in two 3’s and a mid-range pull up jumper that showcased some of the versatile scoring ability that he brings to the floor. I liked the way that he was able to create space off the dribble, and a quick crossover allowed him to penetrate the lane and get to the rim with ease.
Isaiah Hanson Isaiah Hanson 6'4" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN (6’3 2023 G, Minnesota Heat Pratt)- Isaiah was another player that got going early for his team, helping lead the Heat to a win over a solid Minnesota Select team. He features some nice length on the wing, and excelled at moving without the ball to free up some space to shoot from beyond the arc. Though a strong outside shooter, he doesn’t just camp on the perimeter as he got to the rack for some finishes, and drew a handful of fouls on his way to 10 points. Hanson also excels in the classroom boasting a 4.62 GPA.
Samir Jones (6’2 2022 W, MN Jazz)- Samir Jones stood out with some of his hustle plays, as he was simply flying up and down the court on both ends of the floor. He did a really nice job of reading and jumping passing lanes to create some steals, and he was a transition presence with the ability to blow by defenders to get to the rim. Samir showed some nice balance on his attacks, as he could float in the air and keep his eyes locked on the rim to convert on some difficult finishes. His efforts on both ends of the floor helped the Jazz pick up a win in their opener.
Jace Hernandez Jace Hernandez 6'8" | C Lakeville North | 2023 State MN (6’8 2023 PF/C, Minnesota Select Emge)- Although he wasn’t getting a high volume of paint touches, I really like what Jace did with the opportunities he had offensively. On one occasion he caught a contested pass on the block, then had a strong pivot to split a double team before going up to finish. One thing that really stood out was his ability to stay balanced despite shorter forwards fighting to push him off the block. Jace added in two more finishes at the rim, and also made some nice passes out of the block finding cutting teammates and leading them to the rim. He also added in a three on his way to 9 points, while using his height to pull down rebounds on the defensive end.
Derrick Anthony (6’5 2022 W, E1T1 17 Premier)- Derrick was second on his team in scoring at 9 points in a win last night, but what really stood out was his promising potential to improve in the future. His frame is intriguing as he’s a long 6’5 on the wing, and he showcased his explosive athleticism with a transition dunk while also nearly putting a defender on a poster. Derrick has a creative handle that allows him to get to the rim off the dribble, but he also showed he can create space to knock down a three. On the defensive end he has the potential to be extremely versatile as he’s fast for his size allowing him to defend on the perimeter or against opposing 4’s.
Ishmael Powell Ishmael Powell 6'2" | SG Stillwater | 2023 State MN (6’4 2023 W, Minnesota Heat Pratt)- In the first game of the tournament, Ishmael may have secured his spot for play of the weekend, throwing down a posterizing dunk that caught just about everyone in the gym off guard. A strong athlete at 6’4, Ishmael can get off the floor in a hurry and his length makes it difficult for opposing wings to contest him around the rim. On the defensive end he can switch off and guard just about every spot at the 16u level. Powell also added in a pair of threes on his way to a team high 12 points and a win.
Jacob Rothman (5’8 2023 G, Minnesota Select Emge)- It was a bit of a sloppy start for Select, but Jacob really got things going in the second half scoring the ball in a variety of ways. At 5’8 he’s fearless attacking the basket, and his quick burst allows him to create some separation where he can then extend the ball to avoid the outstretched hands of shot blockers. That fearlessness getting to the rim also led to him drawing foul after foul, as he knocked down five free throws over the course of the game. Add in a pair of threes, including a nice stepback, and he finishes with a game high 19 points.