The Stage-12 Players to Watch
The biggest event up to this point in Prep Hoops Circuit of 2022 is kicking off tomorrow in Indianapolis, Indiana. This Tournament is absolutely stacked with talent from all across the country. The Stage is an NCAA Certified event and…
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Continue ReadingThe biggest event up to this point in Prep Hoops Circuit of 2022 is kicking off tomorrow in Indianapolis, Indiana. This Tournament is absolutely stacked with talent from all across the country. The Stage is an NCAA Certified event and it will be can’t-miss-basketball.
As of right now, there are 140 17U teams, 118 16U teams, and 88 15U teams. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are going to be off-the-charts when it comes to basketball. Who should you watch? Look below for my suggestions.
In this article, we are looking at 12 players from the 17U division.
The teams we are focusing on are:
Iowa Barnstormers 2023 Gold, MN Chill 17U Elite, North Dakota Phenom 2023
12 Players to Watch – 17U at The Stage
Iowa Barnstormers
Dallas Bear (2023) |6-8 F| Cedar Falls
His squad is off to a hot start after going 4-0 last weekend. Bear’s skills are excellent and he is a high-level shooter. He can light it up from the wing, drain pull-ups and score off the bounce. Dallas can also produce from the block. His length and elite shooting have the attention of many college scouts. Bear currently has a couple of offers already on the table. He is an intriguing player that could very well be a high major recruit.
Blaise Porter (2023) |6-0 PG| New London
Barnstormers Gold is 4-0 so far and playing very good ball. This kid is an elite point guard that creates, facilitates, and he makes everyone around him a better player. Porter is an electric athlete, to say the least. He is a strong player and a very tough on-ball defender. Blaise can put points on the board in the blink of an eye. If you like watching elite backcourt players, Blaise will need to be on your list for this weekend. Porter currently holds two D1 offers. He certainly has the potential to be a high major recruit.
Caden Kirkman (2023) |6-8 F| Wilton
He has helped his team get to a 4-0 start in the AAU season. Caden averaged a double-double and blocked a ton of shots in the high school season. Kirkman should be a nice rim protector for the Barnstormers. Kirkman is a strong player that does not shy away from contact in the paint. He has impressive post skills and a knack for making the right play at the right time. Kirkman is not just a low post player, he can make plays on the wing as well. College coaches that are looking for a talented and versatile PF will want to see Kirkman this weekend in Indy.
Brayson Laube (2023) |6-2 G| Marion
He and the Barnstormers are 4-0 so far on the year. He is a combo-guard that can knock them down from deep. Laube will likely be one of the top shooters in Indy this weekend. He can fill it up from all over the court. Brayson is not just a shooter. He is an athletic player with a good head on his shoulders. Brayson put up impressive numbers in school ball and I expect the same in the AAU season. College coaches that need shooters and natural scorers will want to check out Laube.
Minnesota Chill
Khalif Bettis |6-5 SF| Burnsville
He is a top 20 player in his class from Minnesota, so it is no secret that this kid is a stud. His length and athleticism make him a versatile defender. On offense, Bettis is a three-level scorer that will make you pay if you overplay him one way. Khalif is a skilled player that he matches with exciting athleticism. He is a playmaker and a difference-maker. Bettis has been grabbing interest from D1 and D2 schools from all over the Midwest. He should have plenty of eyes on him this weekend.
Chet Kloss |6-6 PF| Eastview
He helped lead the Lightning to the highly prestigious Class AAAA Minnesota State Tournament. Chet is a mismatch problem that can do damage in the lane and cash in 3-pointers. Most of his point-scoring will come in the paint but he will stretch the D and nail the triple. He is an opportunistic player that will take advantage of mistakes. On defense, Kloss has the ability to contribute as a help defender and a rim protector. Kloss does have an offer from USF. He has also garnered interest from a nice assortment of Division 1 and Divisions 2 schools.
Carmello McNeal |6-3 SG| Twin Cities Academy
His measurables are impressive and he checks all the boxes athletically. McNeal excels when the game gets going fast and he can score in a variety of ways. McNeal can also lock up and be a very tough on-ball defender. According to his coach, he and his brother are young for their grade. He has plenty of potential to keep improving. College coaches will like his length as a guard and his athleticism.
Carrington McNeal |6-3 PG| Twin Cities Academy
He is dynamic and creative in transition. He will be a playmaker in the up and down AAU style of basketball. Carrington can score buckets in a hurry. You will be impressed with his finishing at the cup. It will be fun to see him match up with the ND PHenom guards on Saturday morning. According to his coach, he and his brother are young for their grade. He has plenty of potential. College coaches will like his length as a guard and his athleticism.
North Dakota Phenom
Anthony Doppler (2023) |6-4 SG| Bismarck Century
He is a big-shot maker and a gamer. Anthony is a long and powerful guard. Doppler is a tough matchup as he can shoot over smaller guards from the perimeter and he will take them in the lane to play bully ball. If he gets a bigger slower matchup, Anthony can penetrate or move without the ball to get loose for his deadly jump shot. When he gets in the paint, Doppler finishes well off two feet. Anthony is also a tough defender with his size and toughness. Doppler has been offered at the NSIC level and is receiving interest from multiple Division 1 and Division 2 conferences.
Darik Dissette (2023) |6-4 SG| Minot
This kid is a winner and a recent State Champion. Darik was also the Class A State Tournament MVP. This athletic guard can score and do the little things. His best quality is that he elevates everyone around him. It is going to be a blast watching this team and how much talent they have surrounding Dissette. On offense, Darik is an above-the-rim finisher, a lethal slasher & cutter, and he has a sweet mid-range game. Dissette is a tough-as-nails defender and a tireless worker. Expect big things from Darik in Indy. He has been offered at the NSIC level and is receiving interest from multiple Division 1 and Division 2 conferences.
Ryan Erikson (2023) |6-10 C| Bismarck Century
He is currently the best low post in North Dakota. Once you see this kid, you will be intrigued by his size. You will also quickly realize that Erikson is fleet-footed and nimble on his feet. Ryan is a very impressive passer from the high-post and exemplary from the block. On some of his passes, he makes me wonder if he has eyes in the back of his head. Ryan can finish on the block with crafty footwork and he can finish with both hands. He can also hit the outside jumper and slash downhill. On defense, he will provide some girth and bulk on the block. Ryan has a nose for the ball when rebounding. Erikson has been offered at the NSIC level and is receiving interest from multiple Division 1 and Division 2 conferences.
Carson Yale (2023) |6-9 F| Des Lacs Burlington
He was really turning heads at the end of last AAU season. Yale is long and his mobility has really impressed scouts. Carson shoots it well from beyond the arc and he can create off the bounce. His length is very intriguing. Yale’s feet make him a versatile defender as he can match up on the wing and guard in the paint. In the past year, he has added a good amount of muscle to his upper body. I am very excited to see him play on Saturday morning. Yale has been offered at the NSIC level and is receiving interest from multiple Division 1 and Division 2 conferences.