NHR State Tournament: High Potential Prospects
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The NHR State Tournament took place last weekend, with plenty of talent from across the state competing at a high level. These seven prospects all stood out not only with their current production, but because of the high ceilings that…
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Continue ReadingThe NHR State Tournament took place last weekend, with plenty of talent from across the state competing at a high level. These seven prospects all stood out not only with their current production, but because of the high ceilings that they have as prospects moving forward.
Isaiah Johnson (6’5 2024 SF, Northstar Titans 2024)- When you’re around 6’5-6’6 at the 15u level like Isaiah is, you tend to stand out just based on size. Isaiah is more than just height though, as it’s rare to see players who move like he does for his size/age. On multiple occasions Isaiah took a rebound/turnover and dribbled the ball through multiple defenders to go the length of the floor and finish. He can handle the ball incredibly well for his size, able to get to the rim just about any time he wants to off the bounce. Once there he has great touch to finish, and has the strength to power through contact. In terms of potential in the 2024 class, not many can match Isaiah as he has so many tools to develop into a high level prospect.
Jonathan Mekonnen (6’5 2024 SF, Minnesota Heat PBJ)- Another 2024 prospect that’s oozing potential is Jonathan Mekonnen out of Eastview. Jonathan is a springy athlete with tons of length at 6’5, and he has the skillset to do damage around the rim or from the perimeter. He’s typically the tallest player on the floor, so he’s able to score on the block with a quick shoulder turn and a left hand finish. Jonathan has some explosiveness to him, and he gets off the floor quickly meaning he can pull down offensive rebounds off his own misses, and go right back up for some second chance points. One thing that stands out about him is ability to pull down an offensive board, and put the ball on the floor to get out in transition. Defensively he’s very versatile, and at this stage he can double as a shot blocker with his length and athleticism.
Buay Koak Buay Koak 6'4" | SG Lyle-Pacelli | 2023 State MN (6’4 2023 SG, Minnesota Lightning 2023)- An excellent defensive prospect at this stage, Buay just makes so many plays on that end of the floor. In terms of guards, he’s one of the best shot blockers I’ve seen all spring, able to stick with his man and elevate to block jump shots, or slide into position to contest around the rim. His long frame combined with quick feet allow him to get into position to contest all over the floor. On the other end he offers shooting touch from beyond the arc, and can take his man off the dribble and extend to finish at the rim.
Donavan Clinton Donavan Clinton 6'4" | PG St. Paul Como Park | 2022 State MN (6’5 2022 W, E1T1 17 Premier)- Donavan was one of the more versatile players I watched at the 17u level, capable of taking on just about any role he needed to. He proved that he can handle the ball well and distribute within the flow of the offense, but he can also play off the ball in more of a scoring role. His length and athleticism makes him a threat to get to the basket, and he always looks under control when driving to the hoop. Donavan also is a threat from beyond the arc when given too much space, and is a player that can pull down rebounds in bulk. When locked in on defense there aren’t too many spots on the floor that he doesn’t have the physical attributes to defend, giving him high potential on that end of the floor at the college level. A deep sleeper in the 2022 class.
Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN (6’9 2022 PF, D1 Minnesota Prospects)- Ahjany didn’t have his best offensive showings in the games I watched, but he’s able to make such a huge impact defensively, and the potential at the next level is obvious when watching him play. Time after time he was able to quickly slide over into good help side position, and then get off the floor and use his 9’6 standing reach to block/alter just about every shot around the rim. He had some highlight blocks pinning shots off the backboard, and also did a good job at grabbing the rebounds after many of his blocked shots to secure possession for his team. On the offensive end he floats a lot on the perimeter looking for threes, but finds success when he gets into the paint where he can use his length and athleticism to finish over the top of defenders.
Leo Torbor Leo Torbor 6'1" | PG Park Center | 2022 State MN (6’3 2022 G, Minnesota Select 2022)- The potential of Leo Torbor Leo Torbor 6'1" | PG Park Center | 2022 State MN really started to emerge with Park Center over the winter, and that’s been turned into consistent production this spring/summer season. He has an explosive burst to turn the corner and attack the basket off the dribble, and he showed no fear elevating to try to throw down some dunks over defenders. He doesn’t shoot a high volume of threes but the jumper has looked consistent when given the space. I also liked him as a P&R ball handler as he’s able to attack gaps to get to the rim, but also showed great vision to hit his bigs rolling to the hoop or popping out for threes.
Shaun Wysocki (6’2 2024 W, Minnesota Lightning 2024)- Shaun’s long and lanky frame at 6’2 is immediately intriguing when watching him for the first time, yet he still moves extremely well allowing him to defend on the perimeter or in the paint against smaller teams. Offensively he seemed to be one of his team’s top shooters, and was really stretching the floor with his range and smooth stroke from beyond the arc. His jumper seems effortless and he looks confident with it coming off his fingers on every shot he takes. Shaun also showed some ability to get to the rim with hard cuts off the ball, proving to be a threat inside and out. If he continues growing and keeps working on his skillset, he could be a dangerous wing prospect down the road.