Buckets In The Big Red: Minnesota 17u Standouts

Seven Minnesota prospects who stood out at the 17u level at Buckets In The Big Red!

Molley Komara (6’7 2023 PF/C, Minnesota Chill Elite)- Minnesota Chill was missing two scholarship level prospects this past weekend, and Molley Komara stepped up big time to fill in for some of that lost production. He’s always been a long and agile player with a ton of upside, and he’s starting to turn that into production. Molley excels at facing up in the high post and taking a hard dribble before gathering his balance and exploding to the rim off two feet. Rarely will you see him try to force up an off balanced look off one foot, and because of this he’s become a good finisher inside. Even when he misses his second leap is so quick that he’s often able to go right back up and tip in his own miss. Runs the floor hard and is faster than most bigs, which makes him a transition threat as well. Defensively Molley has no problem defending on the wing when needed, and uses his length to disrupt shots around the rim.

Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN (6’2 2023 G, MN Rise)- When his team needed him the most, Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN stepped up big time. Against a tough Pentagon Schoolers team, Isaac hit five or six threes in the second half, while also adding in a pair of tough finishes at the rim. The biggest of those shots was the go ahead jumper with just seconds remaining to put his team in front. Matti is such an unselfish player, but he was able to recognize when he needed to take over to help push his team to a win. He has such a confident and consistent release from beyond the arc that allows him to shoot at a high percentage. Really good at passing and quickly relocating into open space to get off a good look. Isaac is a better finisher at the rim than I originally thought as well, as he has good body control and the touch to finish with either hand.

Alvin Jones Jr. (6’1 2023 G, E1T1)- Alvin is an exciting player to watch when the ball is in his hands. He has a shifty handle to create his own shots off the dribble, and you never know what type of move he’s going to do. When E1T1 needs a bucket, the ball is put in Alvin’s hands because he’s so good at beating his man to get into the lane where he’s either going to finish, or recognize when the help defender slides over before kicking it out to an open shooter. After graduating a strong 2022 class, Alvin could see his role expand at Osseo as a senior.

Elias Batala Elias Batala 6'1" | PG Eastview | 2023 State MN (6’ 2023 G, Minnesota Chill Elite)- Elias was another player who stepped up this past weekend for Minnesota Chill. The Eastview guard had arguably the highlight of the weekend, rising up for a put-back dunk in traffic after his teammate’s missed three. I think that level of explosiveness caught the whole gym off guard, and it gave his team a boost of momentum to go on and win the game. In the second half of the matchup with OSA Crusaders, Elias caught fire from beyond the arc which allowed his team to pull away in crunch time. 3&D type of player who’s going to get after it defensively with his quick feet and long arms, while also being someone who stretches the floor with his catch-and-shoot ability.

Sawyer Tordsen (6’6 2023 PF/C, MN Rise)- Sawyer is one of those players who doesn’t really need to score to be effective. He’s such a physical presence inside who makes life difficult for opposing bigs because they can’t establish low post position due to his strength. Clears out space well to rebound on the defensive end, and does a nice job of quickly locating an outlet pass. On the offensive end he sets hard screens to clear out space for his guards, and when he looks to post up he provides a big target on the block with good hands to catch in traffic. You almost have to double team him because he’ll just back his man down to below the basket and have an easy lay-up if you don’t send help.

Sean Robinson (5’11 2023 G, E1T1)- Sean was one of the best defenders I saw over the weekend. The E1T1 guard just gets after it, and doesn’t care who he gets matched up with. He moves his feet so well, and even when giving up some height he’s quick off his feet to contest when his man looks to shoot. Robinson has quick hands to poke the ball free when his man gets careless, and he’s quick enough to get up the floor and turn a steal into two quick points. Offensively he has good body control to finish off some tough looks around the basket.

Marino Porter Marino Porter 5'10" Tartan | 2023 MN Jr. (5’9 2023 G, Minnesota Chill Elite)- Not sure there was a more vocal player in the gym all weekend than Marino. He just never stops communicating on the defensive end, and hypes his teammates up every time they make a good play. Marino does more than just communicate though, as he’s a scrappy defender who’s going to apply constant ball pressure, fight for every loose ball, and work to get over screens on the perimeter. Offensively he’s capable of providing a spark off the bench with his three point shooting, and he’s an unselfish player who isn’t going to waste possessions with bad shots. Has a quick release that makes him a catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc.