Breakdown Tip Off Classic: The Stock Risers
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What players at the Tip Off Classic certainly took a nice step forward as prospects? Here is my list of guys that I think are much improved not just as players but as guys colleges should look at. Jamal Ambrose…
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Continue ReadingWhat players at the Tip Off Classic certainly took a nice step forward as prospects? Here is my list of guys that I think are much improved not just as players but as guys colleges should look at.
Jamal Ambrose Jamal Ambrose 6'10" | C East View | 2022 State MN of Eastview (6’10 Center). I’ve also been a fan of Jamal as a player and thought he was a prospect. He’s lost 15 pounds, is moving way better up the floor and laterally defending, and moving off the ball to spots. His movement was a big reason he shed a good center and was able to step out and hit 3-4 long jumpers/threes. With Jamal reshaping his frame and moving better, he is certainly a better prospect to me. D1? Yes but then again we have Malcolm Jones Malcolm Jones 6'9" | C Prior Lake | 2022 State MN , Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN , and Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN all certain D1 players headed to D2 so these days it’s tough to know.
De’Meiko Anderson De’Meiko Anderson 6'1" | SG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN of Minneapolis North (6’1 Guard). Anderson has always been a quick scoring threat. What has changed? Maturity. Anderson looks taller, longer, and stronger and with it has come the ability to finish on balance against bigger players as well as a better chance to lift and hit against contesting defenders. At 6’1 Anderson is a scoring threat that has a chance to take another step at North. If he does that game to game, watch his name for the immediate and distant future.
Kendall Blue Kendall Blue 6'6" | SG East Ridge | 2022 State #242 Nation MN of East Ridge (6’6 Guard/Wing). I love what I’ve been seeing from Kendall the past six months. I believe that he’s about to take that back end national top 250 ranking and boost it up hard. Blue is just playing with more confidence, more consistency, and seemingly more care free. He’s just out there competing against what’s in front of him and what was in front of him Saturday was a nationally ranked junior wing and Blue just did more leading his team to the win. Thirteen rebounds because the team doesn’t have much size, so he does it. Handling the ball because at times his team needs him to. And scoring 22 because his team needed it, and Blue did it aggressively. Love seeing guys take steps and Kendall Blue Kendall Blue 6'6" | SG East Ridge | 2022 State #242 Nation MN has certainly taken big steps.
Cade Mcgraw Cade Mcgraw 5'10" | PG Shakopee | 2022 State MN of Shakopee (6’1 Guard). This young man has been through a ton and I love when he is able to be engaged because when he is his teams follow his toughness. Tonka has a ton of good guards but not only could they not stop Cade at either guard spot, Cade outplayed them for the win. Beautiful touch plus he bodied these guys after the first dribble winning the position and then playmaking himself or others. Then you add the toughness factor….
Dylan Omweno Dylan Omweno 6'0" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN of Eastview (6’1 Guard). Once the ball landed in the hands of Dylan against Maple Grove, the game changed. In all ways. He scored, he created, and after this game I feel even stronger confirmation that this young man is a scholarship guard. What level? That’s TBD but I really like Dylan as a confident playmaker.
Chiang Ring Chiang Ring 6'8" | C Park Center | 2024 State #276 Nation MN of Minneapolis South (6’8 Big). The physical gifts are there for Chiang. He’s long, quick off his feet, runs well, and gets to spots where his rebounding and defense is a factor. For Ring it’s about advancements in feel, skill, and consistency. I thought his 14 point, 11 rebound, four block performance was a big step in the right direction. If he continues to take those steps the sky is the limit.
Andy Stefonowicz Andy Stefonowicz 6'2" | PG Minnetonka | 2024 State MN of Minnetonka (6’1 Guard). Another game in the final four months of 2021, another chance for me to say I think Andy’s skill level is special. Not just “he is going to be a really good basketball player” special but more “he can reach a higher level than most” special. The form, perfect. The confidence, at an elite level. The numbers, consistent. Big fan of the way he plays.