17U Standouts at Fury/Heat Shutdown 2022
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Zach Close Zach Close 6'7" | PF Orono | 2023 State MN – 6’7 – Wing – Orono/ Minnesota Fury Close showed some flashes of playmaking bringing the ball up in a point-forward role and making passes to teammates for…
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Continue ReadingZach Close Zach Close 6'7" | PF Orono | 2023 State MN – 6’7 – Wing – Orono/ Minnesota Fury
Close showed some flashes of playmaking bringing the ball up in a point-forward role and making passes to teammates for close lay-ups and one cross-court pass for a 3. Close in the games I witnessed there weren’t many defenders bothering him while driving as he moved very fluidly on the dribble drive. In transition he finished a few different plays with dunks and was a solid weak side defender blocking a few shots.
Hayden Niebuhr Hayden Niebuhr 6'7" | C Maple River | 2023 State MN – 6’7 – Forward – Maple River/Minnesota Lightning
Hiebuhr used his size and foot mobility to assert himself, scoring four inside five feet baskets in the game I watched him play. He was also active on the offensive glass including one possession where he rebounded to keep the possession going and made a pass to an open shooter. While in screen and roll, he short rolled and caught a pass, and quickly turned to make a direct pass to the left corner for an open shooter.
Dillon Engen Dillon Engen 5'11" | PG Southwest | 2023 MN – 6’0 – Guard – MN Heat Bohrer/Minneapolis Southwest
Engen displayed his shooting in a game versus MN Fury Hayes where he made five 3’s, three of them from well beyond the 3-point line for a 19-point performance. His quick release really seemed to surprise defenders when he rose up and made the shots, especially from the distance he was shooting. In the half-court he penetrated the defense on drives for solid bounce passes for easy lay-ups for teammates.
Patrick Smith Patrick Smith 6'8" | C Duluth East | 2023 State MN – 6’8 – Center – Duluth East/ Starks Elite
The six-foot-eight-inch Smith took care of smaller defenders inside of the Minnesota Magic . Smith didn’t rush in the post, allowed teammates and defenders to clear, took one dribble and scored a couple times over right shoulder. A few other possessions he set a couple solid screen assists for Asher Zubich Asher Zubich 6'1" | PG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2023 State MN helping him get space for perimeter jumpers, and other times made himself open in the short roll. Smith also gave a glimpse into his 3-point shooting as he knocked down a right corner jumper in the 2nd half.
Jack Lang Jack Lang 5'10" | PG Austin | 2023 State MN – 5’11 – Guard – Austin/Minnesota Lightning
Lang had opportunities to push pace at times for the Minnesota Lightning and he took full advantage of defenders on their heels. Two separate possessions the five-foot-eleven-inch guard scored in such ways and another made a simple effective pass for an assist. Lang also helped stretch the floor for the Lightning by knocking down spotted up 3’s with his smooth release.
Tanner Thomson Tanner Thomson 6'1" | SG Stillwater | 2023 MN – 6’1 – Guard – Stillwater/ Minnesota Fury Hayes
Thomson was one of the benefiting guards playing with Zach Close Zach Close 6'7" | PF Orono | 2023 State MN over the weekend. As Close drove and prodded the defense, Thomson spaced along the perimeter to be ready to shoot away. Versus Minnesota Heat Bohrer is a tightly contested back and forth game, Thomson hit a couple 3’s. He also showcased passing vision by hitting cutters on multiple possessions.
Jobe Juenemann Jobe Juenemann 6'2" | SG Duluth East | 2023 State MN – 6’2 – Guard – Duluth East/ Starks Elite
In a game versus Minnesota Magic Juenemann’s multiple offensive skills were on full display. Scored while spotted up from 3, cut backdoor for a reverse lay-up, and in transition pushed while the defender was on his heels for a lay-up in the first and second half. Juenemann finished with 11 points in the match-up versus the Magic.