Fall League Underclassman Evaluations
This past weekend I was able to catch a total of 10 fall league games spread out across St. Paul Harding HS, Concordia St. Paul, and Hardwood Elite’s “The League” at Bloomington Kennedy. These are evaluations on seven class of…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend I was able to catch a total of 10 fall league games spread out across St. Paul Harding HS, Concordia St. Paul, and Hardwood Elite’s “The League” at Bloomington Kennedy. These are evaluations on seven class of 2024 and 2025 prospects that I was able to watch play!
Henry Buchanan (7’ 2024 C, Burnsville)- This was my first time getting to see the 2024 big man live, and the potential is obviously there at 7’ tall. Though he wasn’t putting up crazy numbers, Henry did work hard competing against two of the best 2023 bigs in the state. His balance is a bit better than you’d expect from a 7’ sophomore, and he used that to finish off a few looks with defenders swarming. He’ll have to work on his quickness so that he can get into better positions defensively, but the effort was there and he was working to get into positions to block multiple shots in both games I saw. He’s a left handed player and was effective turning over the right shoulder into a baby hook shot. As he gets a bit stronger and adapts more to his height, that left hand could become dangerous around the rim. Also got off the floor for two dunks on the night.
JJ Sullivan (2025 G, Eden Prairie)- There was no height listed for JJ on the Hardwood Elite rosters, but he brings big game to the floor as a freshman. He’s another left handed player on this list, and he’s so dangerous with just an inch of space from beyond the arc or from mid-range. Had success taking one/two dribbles into a pull-up jumper from around 15 feet, and also showed a quick release from beyond the arc to beat the defender closing out. At times was a bit outmatched athletically by some of the upperclassmen, but managed to thread the defense with a few nice passes and torch them from outside.
Jalen Wilson (6’6 2025 F, Benilde-St. Margaret’s)- One of the more promising players in the 2025 class from an early standpoint, Jalen could see big minutes early for a strong BSM team. Against Duluth East he had two of the tougher finishes I saw on the weekend, both extending far out for a reverse lay-up after beating a 6’8 defender to the rim. Defensively I thought he did well competing against one of the top 2023 post prospects in the state, using his strong frame to play physically and battle for position on the block. Also moves his feet well when he has to defend on the perimeter. Really skilled for a freshman his size as well.
Andy Stefonowicz Andy Stefonowicz 6'2" | PG Minnetonka | 2024 State MN (6’ 2024 PG, Minnetonka)- Andy is fresh of a productive summer with Howard Pulley on the EYBL, and now returns to run with Minnetonka’s loaded backcourt. He’s already proven that he can score at the varsity level, but now with a few new additions to the team this season I think we’ll see him take on an even bigger role as a facilitator. Andy has excellent court vision and that showed in transition as he’s constantly throwing the ball ahead whether it’s with a long ball through the air or a quick bounce pass to split two defenders and hit his man in stride. A threat from beyond the arc with his shooting touch, but he also does a nice job of splitting gaps to get into the paint and scoring with touch on a high arcing floater.
Marley Baah-Yeboah (6’2 2024 W, Lakeville South)- Marley was already mentioned earlier this week as one of the standouts from Hardwood Elite’s “The League”, as he’s a high potential prospect to know in the 2024 class. He’s an extremely explosive player who despite standing at 6’2 can already finish above the rim with ease. This makes him a threat attacking the basket as he’s able to elevate and finish over the top of length, and he’s a highlight waiting to happen in transition. In the half-court he did a nice job of cutting without the ball and fighting for offensive rebounds in order to get clean looks around the rim. I like his potential defensively as well as he can sit deep in a stance and has the athleticism to guard 1-3.
Jordan Cain Jordan Cain 6'3" | SF Minnetonka | 2024 State MN (6’2 2024 G, Minnetonka)- Yet another one of Minnetonka’s talented up-and-coming guards, Jordan was a key player on JV as a freshman and looks to make the jump to varsity contributor this winter. He already has a strong frame and is an explosive athlete at around 6’2-6’3 who poses a threat to finish above the rim. He did some damage around the rim with a few nice finishes, including catching a lob over a defender and finishing it despite falling forward over another player. May not have the chance to put up huge numbers with the talent around him, but is a prospect to watch closely moving forward.
Camren Riggins-Brown (6’2 2025 W, Benilde-St. Margaret’s)- Camren saw some time for BSM in a tight matchup with Duluth East. A long term prospect to know due to his long frame and athleticism, I really like his potential to make an impact defensively down the road. If he continues to grow he has the potential to be someone who can guard just about every spot on the floor at the high school level. Offensively he won’t get a ton of looks with the talent and experience around him, but he’s a guy who can get to the rim with or without the ball and finish efficiently.