The Stage: 17U Top Guys Part 1

Who were the top performers from The Stage in Indy this past weekend?  Who are some of the top players that you should get on your recruiting board?  We start with our first group will several more to come!

Alijah Adem Alijah Adem 6'2" | PG Spring Valley | 2024 State #174 Nation NV of Chosen Few (6’2 guard 2024).  Few sophomores have the ability to craft space like Adem and few players his age have the ability to make shots in small windows like Alijah.  When it comes to arsenal of dribble separation moves and ability to shoot a high percentage in small windows, Adem is in that 2024 elite category.  Even more impressive, he put up massive numbers and did it against a very high level of 2023 competition.  Adem leading his team to a win over Minnesota Fury with 31 points and eight assists is a story in itself as the Fury is one of the best two teams in the state of Minnesota at the 17 and Under level.   Adem continues to prove he is one of the best guards in the 2024 class week after week both during the high school season (Las Vegas Player of the Year) and now during 17U play.  

Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA of Iowa Barnstormers (6’8 forward 2023).  I came away from this weekend completely understanding why Marquette and Nebraska were watching and Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery was in the building watching him a couple times.   To start, Bear is a stretch four.  He had a solid year shooting the ball from the arc this year playing with Trey Campbell Trey Campbell 6'4" | PG Cedar Falls | 2022 State IA , but we’ve seen him shoot even better this spring.  What makes me really like Bear’s potential is his back to the basket and face-up game comfort, and all the footwork, touch, and dribble separation that goes with it plus the off ball movement withing that great Barnstormers structure.  Thought Bear did an outstanding job being a catch and shoot option, an option moving within the structure, and 1 on 1 match-up in different situations.  Stock is up! 

Kadyn Betts Kadyn Betts 6'7" | PF Huntington Prep | 2023 #90 Nation CO of PLUTO Prospects (6’9 forward 2023).   The question I am getting is "what separates Kadyn?". My first answer is the obvious, Kadyn is physically there.  He’s 6’9, has good strength with a frame to add more, and he’s agile enough to finish physically and to defend a ball screen in all the ways teams wants.  The next point I am bringing up right now is the rebounding effort.  There are guys that get good rebounding numbers but don’t board out of their area, and then there are guys that dominate their area and then work hard to board out of their area and to get second chances for their team (that’s Kadyn).  Betts is an absolute nightmare for defenses when it comes second chance opportunities.  He’s quick off his feet, battles with constant effort, and too big/strong/agile for a smaller player to drop to and try and limit.  Then you add that budding touch.  Betts hit four threes in one game and is really good shooting, passing, or using a dribble out of the high post. I love the idea of getting him high post touches as well as the low post back to basket touches.  High major?  I laugh when people ask the question.  He is not just high major, Betts is one of the better prospects in the country at his spot.  

Anquan Boldin Jr of Ball 4 Lyfe United (6’5 guard 2022/2023).  When it comes to explosive athletes Anquan Boldin was at the pinnacle of the event.  His explosive rim run led to 32 points in the opener, several big number games the rest of the weekend, and a highlight reel that will be must see.  So what can you do with this young man at the next level?  Defensively Boldin has the ability to be one of the best defenders you will ever see because his lateral steps, his first step to the ball on the wing, and his help spots and defensive boards could lead to elite defensive plays.  And obviously if Boldin was on a top defensive team in college the transition runs would be regular and he’s elite in that way. 

Aidan Harris Aidan Harris 6'6" | SF St. Marys | 2023 State #293 Nation MD of DMV Stags (6’6 wing 2023).  There are two things that stuck out to me the most about Aidan after I watched him play a couple times: 1) really good size already for a wing in terms of height and strength and 2) the shooting touch he showed from 17 feet to 7 feet in the two games I saw.  Aidan seemed to comfortably place shots off the glass or over the top from several different angles.  Sometimes it was with feet set shooting square up, other times it was fading a tad or on the move to clear the defender.  Either way those shots were comfortably made.  I also liked the consistency he rebounded with as either the three or four on the floor for his team.  Dependable in that way as well.  I had fairly solid expectations for Harris coming into this event and he certainly met them.  Surely a scholarship prospect that will build interest as we move through the next four months when colleges step away from the portal and watch the high school talent. 

Jason Parent Jason Parent 6'4" | SF Prescott | 2022 State AZ of Arizona Select (6’4 guard 2022).  I would feel comfortable suggesting Jason Parent Jason Parent 6'4" | SF Prescott | 2022 State AZ to a lot of college coaches out there.  There are just a lot of things going for this unsigned senior that I think translate to contributing early.  Consistency?  He was a first team all state player this year in Arizona, that’s consistent.  He was also good in both games I saw him play this weekend.  Physically ready? Strength wise he is good to go and he is way more explosive/athletic than I realized.  When I saw Parent battle over a screen, and step over and beat a top guard to a spot defensively, I was sold.  And then I was more sold when Jason was dunking in the warm-ups like he was Isaiah Rider winning a dunk contest back in the day.  Skilled, smart player that scored 20 when I saw him against PLUTO.

Max Shikenjanski Max Shikenjanski 6'2" | PG Stillwater | 2023 State #288 Nation MN of Minnesota Fury (6’2 guard 2023).  For me the recruitment of Max comes down to... do you want to get him early and build him within the structure?  Or you going to let him go by now and then have to come back later and get him as a transfer?  I fully believe that at some point in his career - if he picks college basketball over college football - Max will play high major basketball or at an elite mid major team.  His feel, competitive fight, and productivity are simply to that level.  When it comes to passers Max is the best passer in Minnesota’s 2023 class and I will match his passing ability against anybody in the nation.  He is a point guard but he is also part of the 40% Club (shoots 40 plus percent at the arc).  Shikenjanksi is a constant threat to lift to hit but even more and he wants to be that guy that is lifting into a jumper and making big shots.  Colleges will look at his form and worry, they will look at his size and worry, and I am telling you first hand, stop worrying.  I had those concerns at some point but they are gone.  Max Shikenjanksi is that damn good.