Minnesota Top 250 Expo: New Names to Know

<p>Who are some players that we learned about this past weekend at the Minnesota Top 250 Expo?  Here are the new names to know! </p> <p><strong>Dalal Gaarhaye</strong> of Eden Prairie (6’8 C, 2022).  Dalal might have been the new name that caught my eye the most.  Not only was Dalal physical around the cup using a dribble or being physical after the catch or putback, he also showed a bit of a nasty approach going at everybody in a vocal way. Gaarhaye went at some of the biggest names in the frontcourt and didn’t back down.  He also pushed the ball a bit, was a great passer all around the paint, and had more skill than I was expecting. </p> <p><strong>Kyser Hassan</strong> of Eastview (6’5 PF, 2022).  As if the Lightning needed more talent to work with, one of the most talked about players at the Expo was Kyser Hassan, a no nonsense battler that took the event by storm.  Hassan has a strong build and is more agile than anybody was expecting.  He went at the rim for production scoring over some of the bigger names in the event.  Had a couple double doubles plus it showed that the Lightning is even deeper than we were aware of. This is a future college basketball player. </p> <p><strong>Zach Jacobson</strong> of Rosemount (6’0 SG, 2023).  Another Rosemount guard!  This junior-to-be grabbed some attention with his aggressive approach going at the rim and the quickness he attacked the cup with.  Jacobson also lifted to the rim in an explosive way and did it aggressively.  Add in the lift on the jumper and this is a player to keep an eye on.  Zach scored scored 18 points on 14 attempts in 20 minutes the game we saw. </p> <p><strong>TimAvion Ryan</strong> of Minneapolis North (6’4 F, 2022).  One of the moments of the weekend was the last game of the day. The teams wanted to break the tie and finish so the refs went sudden death.  Ryan attacked the basket and scored in traffic giving him the 7th score of the game that we noticed.  Ryan looks like a matured player that will add muscle to the Polars line-up this winter.  </p> <p><strong>Tayvion Stewart</strong> of Park of Cottage Grove (5’9 PG, 2024).  The Wolfpack need a ball handler this winter and from what we saw this past weekend Stewart may be able to help in that department.  It was only one viewing but Stewart was one of the more efficient players from 2024 scoring on five of six attempts while creating shots for others and not turning the ball over.  Good first impression. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958788" first="Brayden" last="Zimmerman"] of Southwest Christian (6’5 F, 2022).  This 4.0 grade point average forward is also an efficient, active forward that is going to team with [player_tooltip player_id="1143876" first="Nick" last="Burke"] and make for a big pain for other teams up front.  Zimmerman was perfect from the field in the 1.5 games we saw him play this weekend. </p>