Minnesota Chill Elite 17U – Circuit Preview

Minneapolis, MN - The Twin Cities metro is a hotbed for high school basketball and AAU hoops. Minnesota Chill 17U Elite is a team that college scouts and basketball fans will want to watch this spring/summer. MN Chill is full of college prospects that will grab your attention and impress you. The Chill program is an official member of the Prep Hoops Circuit and they will be competing in 9 Circuit events. Make sure you get MN Chill 17U Elite on your list of must-see teams for this AAU season. Let’s check out the MN Chill 17U Elite roster and take a deep dive into the program. 

Team Name: MN Chill 17U Elite

City/State: Minneapolis, MN

Roster

#0 Elias Batala Elias Batala 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN |6-0 G| Eastview

He is a strong athletic guard that can really defend. Elias is one of the best shooters for his class This is his first year with MN Chill.

#2 Constatine Osuji |6-6 C| Tartan

He is an athletic and versatile big that blocks a lot of shots and already has a D1 body. This is Constatine’s first year with MN Chill.

#3 Easton Whitcomb Easton Whitcomb 6'3" | SF Rogers | 2023 State MN |6-4 PG| Rogers

Versatility is Easton’s best strength. Easton can play 1-4 and he can guard 1-4. This is Whitcomb’s 7th year with MN Chill.

#5 Carrington Mcneal Carrington Mcneal 6'3" | PG Tca | 2022 State MN |6-3 PG| Twin Cities Academy

He is one of the toughest on-ball defenders in the state. McNeal is excellent in the open floor. He is an underaged senior looking to get a scholarship. This is Carrington’s second year with MN Chill. 

#11 Carmello Mcneal Carmello Mcneal 6'3" | PG Tca | 2022 State MN |6-3 SG| Twin Cities Academy

He is one of the most athletic guards in his class. Carmello is a tough on-ball defender and an excellent finisher at the rim. This is his second year with MN Chill. 

#14 Chet Kloss Chet Kloss 6'6" | PF Eastview | 2023 State MN |6-6 PF| Eastview

He has one offer from USF, he is a stretch 4 that can post and shoot the 3. Kloss is getting a lot of interest from several D1 and D2 schools at this time. This is his 3rd year with MN Chill.

#23 Marino Porter Marino Porter 5'10" Tartan | 2023 MN Jr |5-9 PG| Tartan

He is small in nature but has the speed and quickness that every team needs. Marino is a natural leader that makes everyone else around him better with his unselfishness. 

#33 Molley Komara |6-7 C| Park Center

He has the length and size that you need when it comes to a versatile big man. Molley is very tough on either block and is an incredible defender that can guard 1-5. Komara also has a 7’3 wingspan that makes him hard to finish through around the basket. 

#35 Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN |6-5 SF| Burnsville

He is the #16 player in the class of 2023. Bettis can play 1-5, he can guard 1-5. Khalif can shoot the 3, has the mid-range jumper, and he can get to the basket/finish with both hands. He is our top player and has been to over 10 schools in the offseason: UW Milwaukee, UNI, Saint Thomas, Mankato, Augustana, Concordia, Bemidji, Moorehead, Waldorf IA, Winona State.

#21 Will Kietzmann |7-0 C| Golden State Prep (CA)

He is a 7-footer coming back home to play in the spring and summer. Kietzmann has incredible size and the ability to finish through contact at the rim. Will is also a great rebounder and very coachable. He is looking to land a scholarship.

Tournament Schedule

Coach Information

Name: Marcus Hill

Overview of Coaching & Playing Career: Hill played 4 years at Breck High School. He was All-Conference all 4 years, was a 4-year captain, and led the State in assists from 2003 to 2006. He received a scholarship to Minnesota State Mankato and Marcus took Mankato to its first-ever Final 4 appearance in school history. Hill was drafted into the NBA Development League by Springfield Armor, MA. Marcus was also the Breck head varsity basketball coach for two years.

Q & A with President and Coach Marcus Hill

PH: When was your program founded and what led you to create it?

Marcus Hill: "The program was founded in 2011. My father, Chuck Hill, started the program to give every kid an affordable opportunity to play in the spring and summer. We are now a complete non-profit foundation, www.minnesotachillfoundation.com."

PH: What are some of the pillars that you have built your program around?

Marcus Hill: "Student-Athlete, Loyalty, and commitment, Family."

PH: How many youth teams do you currently have and what areas of the city/state are they located in?

Marcus Hill: "5 teams currently. 4th grade, 8th grade, two 16u teams, one 17u team. We are mostly based out of Minneapolis but we have kids from all the metro on our teams."

PH: Who are some of your more recent players that are playing at the next level and what schools do they attend?

Marcus Hill: "David Roddy (CSU), Kerwin Walton (UNC), Jamison Battle (U of M)."

PH: Who do you have currently on your youth team that you feel are on similar paths?

Marcus Hill: " Khalif Bettis Khalif Bettis 6'6" | SF Burnsville | 2023 State MN , Chet Kloss Chet Kloss 6'6" | PF Eastview | 2023 State MN "

PH: Who would you say are your most underrated players?

Marcus Hill: " Easton Whitcomb Easton Whitcomb 6'3" | SF Rogers | 2023 State MN , Rogers HS. He is the heart and glue of our program/team. He has played for me all of his career starting in 4th grade and can do it all. Can play 1-4 and can guard 1-4. Molley Komara, Park Center, 6’7 with a 7’3 wingspan. He really is a kid that will go to college because of being seen in AAU."

Profile Wrap Up

MN Chill’s goal is to win the Hard Work Region Circuit and be the first program to have all 10 kids go to school on a scholarship, academically or athletically. 

Minnesota Chill has sponsors from Nike, Adam Thielen, MPLS & St. Pauls Foundation, and F.R Bigelou Foundation. 

Why did Minnesota Chill join the PH Circuit?

President & coach Marcus Hill: 

"Best circuit out there hands down, big fan of Nick Carrol and Ryan James. They promote our kids the best and they are always finding ways to help our kids be seen."