Underrated Class AAAA Duos

<p>With fall leagues just about to start and the high school season just months away, I’ll be taking a look at some of the lesser known duos to keep an eye on at the AAAA level!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958652" first="Makuei" last="Riek"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1140142" first="Isaiah" last="Hanson"] (Rochester Mayo)- </strong>These two prospects combine to form a major threat on the wings for Mayo this year. Riek, now a senior, will be the go-to scorer with his ability to create his own shot in isolation. Not too many looks that he doesn’t like, and not too many looks that he can’t knock down. His combination of length, athleticism, and shot making ability make him a major threat. While Makuei thrives with the ball in his hands, Isaiah is an outside shooting threat who can run off screens or float into space from beyond the arc before hitting a catch-and-shoot three. He was one of the better shooters in the state this summer at the 16u level, and will hope to carry that success into the high school season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850712" first="Malcolm" last="Jones"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1268457" first="Kyle" last="Haas"] (Prior Lake)- </strong>While just about everyone knew of Malcolm’s 20 point and 10+ rebound averages last season, [player_tooltip player_id="1268457" first="Kyle" last="Haas"] flew under the radar as one of the better facilitators in the metro area. Malcolm is one of the strongest post presences in the state, and can simply out muscle most guys teams throw at him. He has touch around the rim, swallows up rebounds on both ends, and has extended his range to hit shots from beyond the arc. The guy finding him constantly? That’s [player_tooltip player_id="1268457" first="Kyle" last="Haas"] who averaged 5.5 assists per game as a junior, and continued that high level passing into the spring/summer with WOTN. Time after time you’ll see him deliver accurate entry passes to Malcolm in the post, or drive and dish to hit an open shooter right in the hands.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962213" first="Emmanuel" last="Schmitter"] and [player_tooltip player_id="962251" first="Oscar" last="Khazon"] (Eagan)- </strong>These two form a potent 2023 backcourt duo for Eagan this upcoming season. Emmanuel is a player who can rely on to challenge an opposing team’s top scorer. I’ve seen him lock up ball handlers while also being able to defend 6’6 wings and make things difficult for them. Offensively he’s an athletic guard who can slash to the rim for some tough finishes. Oscar led this team in scoring as a sophomore with 13.7 ppg, and impressed at times this summer off the bench for Howard Pulley. A dangerous shooter, Oscar has a nice one dribble pull-up from mid-range that he knocks down consistently. Eagan will look to improve upon their 6-13 record from last season, and could do just that behind this talented guard duo.</p> <p><strong>DJ Anthony and Drake Gomez (Irondale)- </strong>After both averaging a little over 9 ppg each to lead Irondale in scoring, these two prospects return and hope to find more success in the wins column this season. DJ brings some flashiness on the wing as an athletic and long player who can handle the ball at his size and score inside or out. Dangerous with the ball in his hands in the open floor, and can also knock down shots beyond the arc. Drake Gomez could potentially be the lead ball handler or play off the ball at the 2. His range extends beyond the arc and he’s not afraid to stop and pop if his defender sags off. Add in some craft around the rim and he’ll be a scoring threat for this team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958722" first="Jamez" last="Garner"] and [player_tooltip player_id="958647" first="Peyton" last="Newbern"] (Robbinsdale Armstrong)- </strong>Though Armstrong will have more depth than just these two, both figure to play large roles as senior leaders. Peyton is the top returning scorer, and this past summer showed that he can put up buckets in a hurry. He’s added some length over the past year and uses that to get into the paint and finish over the top of defenders. Still has the handle from his days as a point guard as well. Jamez is one of the best on-ball defenders in the conference as he can simply be a pest that never stops moving his feet. Opposing ball handlers will never have a moments rest with Jamez on them as he’s as quick as they come and brings constant energy to the defensive end. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958739" first="Peyton" last="Belka"] and [player_tooltip player_id="962293" first="Easton" last="Whitcomb"] (Rogers)- </strong>After a strong summer with the Comets, [player_tooltip player_id="958739" first="Peyton" last="Belka"] returns to run the show for Rogers. A 17.9 ppg scorer last season, the sharpshooting guard will once again terrorize defenders with his range. Give him and inch of space and he’s likely putting up three points, but he also does a great job of maneuvering his way into the paint and playing off two feet. Lock in on Peyton? [player_tooltip player_id="962293" first="Easton" last="Whitcomb"] provides another scoring punch for Rogers. The 2023 guard has some length on the perimter and showed this summer with MN Chill that he’s a threat from beyond the arc. Has also shown he can put the all on the floor and use his length to finish around the rim.</p>