July Open Period: Offer That Guy!… But Who?

<p>In one week’s time the 17 and Under Teams of Minnesota will be on the road playing in front of college coaches.  What players from Minnesota’s top 15 teams would I look to?  Here is my list.  </p> <p>Couple things before we dive in....</p> <ol> <li>I am picking guys that either don’t have an offer, don’t have a division one offer yet, or I think could be looked at in a much bigger way than they are.  This is about some guys looking for their next big moment which may be their first big scholarship moment. </li> <li>I am just picking one guy from each of our top 15 ranked teams.</li> <li>PLEASE BE AWARE scholarship offers are not like Halloween candy.  Teams don’t have tons to throw out there.  In fact they have less than you know.  NSIC teams can only give out 10 max throughout their program but of course have bigger rosters than that AND some of those schools don’t give out ten, they may only give out eight (I mean eight total which includes all the players that are already on the team) because that is all the athletic department allows. </li> <li>PLEASE BE AWARE that those D2 teams are always looking for experienced transfers so that factors in and many teams are bringing back seniors from last year because the NCAA allowed it freely but the athletic department still has to count it for budget reasons.  Therefore, there are not as many D2 scholarships out there as you think especially this eyar.  Only 6-7 kids from the 2022 class will get full rise NSIC offers most likely.  And after that, only another 15 will get partial scholarship offers from the NSIC that cover a decent part of their tuition. </li> <li>PLEASE BE AWARE that D1 schools are going to be watching very closely because most of them are just now getting a chance to see you play.  Therefore it’s not just about points in the book but also how many points you allow into that book the other way. Defend somebody and play hard. </li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Grassroots Sizzle</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="850712" first="Malcolm" last="Jones"].  The skill level of this low post player is mid-major quality for sure.  Malcolm is a very good low post player and if he gets touches in good spots we feel confident that Jones will take advantage of every one of them. </p> <p><strong>D1 Minnesota</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="850715" first="BJ" last="Omot"].  I know BJ already has a high major offer (Providence) but I think it’s time for him to be recognized as a nationally ranked top 200 area player.  Omot’s size (6’8) as a guard/wing, his high level skill, touch, and very underappreciated defensive abilities make him a national level talent in my mind. </p> <p><strong>Howard Pulley</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="958666" first="Donnavin" last="Hinsz"].  Today’s game requires power forwards to be really good defenders with agility and I think Hinsz has all of that plus an explosive double-double game that would be immediately useful at the division two level at least. Few players at 6’6 have the agility Hinsz has.</p> <p><strong>Minnesota Fury</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="850735" first="Brady" last="Helgren"].  Bigs that can shoot?  That’s Brady.  Bigs that are smart and move well to position?  That’s Brady.  Bigs that can play in the post and that are comfortable away from the cup?  Again, that’s Brady. </p> <p><strong>Minnesota Select</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="1143878" first="Leo" last="Torbor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850721" first="Benard" last="Omooria"].  Forgive me for breaking a rule here, I had a hard time selecting between the two.  The athletic ability and improved lead guard skills of Torbor have me thinking big things.  And few guys have the touch that Benard does.  He has been on first for three months.</p> <p><strong>Real Phenom</strong></p> <p>My Pick:  [player_tooltip player_id="532569" first="Andre" last="Gray"].  Not totally sure if he has made a final choice on what he will do but if he is still on the court with the Phenom I think he’s the exact type of guy that the prep school exception was made for when it comes to seniors playing on 17U. His senior year was shortened by the Minneapolis schools having a smaller schedule and then a few others things.  This spring he has showed us that he is a D1 level player. </p> <p><strong>WOTN</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="958680" first="Kyle" last="Hrncir"].  I feel that Kyle is one of the more under appreciated names out there.  WOTN plays great team defense and with awesome ball movement and Kyle fits that perfectly.  He’s also 6’5 with agility and a nice scoring touch that I think a D2 school would like using one of those partials. </p> <p><strong>Comets Belka</strong></p> <p>My Pick: [player_tooltip player_id="958683" first="Mason" last="Lund"].  It’s surely Mason.  Comets Belka has went head to head with so many top teams and Mason’s skill and agility produced consistent numbers against all of them.  To me he should be on a D2 roster someday in whatever scholarship way they can offer him. </p> <p><strong>Heat MacDonald</strong></p> <p>My Pick:  [player_tooltip player_id="958652" first="Makuei" last="Riek"].  I’ve been screaming about this long, confident 6-foot-6 shooter for months now and I won’t stop.  Three years from now with some college weight room work and more steady skill improvements, I think Riek could be outstanding. </p> <p><strong>D1 Minnesota Prospects</strong></p> <p>My Pick. [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"]. Jon will be able to defend for a team immediately as his defensive IQ and work rate list with the best.  He’s also an undervalued point producer who works hard for his consistent numbers.  Remember, he led his Maple Grove squad to the final four this winter and almost always plays for winners. </p> <p><strong>Minnesota Lightning</strong></p> <p>My Pick. [player_tooltip player_id="1144099" first="Jaden" last="Wysocki"].  Jaden has played for a couple different Lightning teams.  Whichever team he is with this July, find the 6-foot-6 athletic four man from Rochester and get him on your list.  The skills are getting better every day and the agility in a good frame is already there. </p> <p><strong>Minnesota Comets Elite</strong></p> <p>My Pick. [player_tooltip player_id="958646" first="Jasper" last="Hedin"].  There is a lot to like here.  Great size for a wing as Japser is strong and very agile, Hedin is also a fantastic student and a great worker.  People would read that and think, how does he move?  Jasper moves as well as just about any wing at his size with great bounce and track speed.</p> <p><strong>Minnesota Heat Grow</strong></p> <p>My Pick.  [player_tooltip player_id="958675" first="Hakeem" last="Ford"].  There are many to pick from as Heat Grow is very good but I am going with Hakeem today.  He’s an explosive player around the basket that defends well and has really taken a jump as a skilled finisher.  Also agood student which of course helps as well. </p> <p><strong>Minnesota Rise</strong></p> <p>My Pick.  [player_tooltip player_id="958681" first="Brayden" last="Williams"]. If I was a coach I would want Brayden as my playmaker and teams may not want to wait too long because I think he could be a fantastic four year player wherever he lands.  Notice what he did at Owatonna this year and lifting Rise all spring and summer (final four last weekend at the GPA). </p> <p><strong>Gain Elte</strong></p> <p>My Pick. [player_tooltip player_id="1081804" first="Gob" last="Gob"].  The Minnesota Prep Academy guard has a really high ceiling.  Ball handling?  Solid.  Scoring?  That and his excellent length make Gob a good combo candidate even though he handles comfortably.  Agility wise? Watch that dunk show from the KC Prep Hoops event in mid-May and you will have your answers.  Potential is strong here. </p>