Hard Work Region Finals: Minnesota Post Standouts
Owen Waldoch Owen Waldoch 6'7" | PF Forest Lake | 2024 State MN (6’6 2024 PF, Minnesota Heat PBJ)- I thought Owen put together some great games this past weekend for the 16u finalists. He possesses a strong yet agile…
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Continue ReadingOwen Waldoch Owen Waldoch 6'7" | PF Forest Lake | 2024 State MN (6’6 2024 PF, Minnesota Heat PBJ)- I thought Owen put together some great games this past weekend for the 16u finalists. He possesses a strong yet agile frame which allows him to go at smaller forwards on the block while also stretching his game to the perimeter. In the semi-finals he started off strong as he threw down a pair of explosive dunks and then followed those up with a three. He does a great job of rolling hard to the basket to open up scoring opportunities, and he’s also tough to keep off the glass because of his relentless effort. On the defensive end he holds his own in the post, is a solid shot blocker, and is capable of moving his feet on the perimeter when he gets switched out onto guards.
Isaac Nyakundi (6’9 2024 C, Starks Elite )- Isaac put together some absolutely ridiculous statlines over the weekend, and he was putting up those numbers in a variety of ways. In one game I witnessed him weave through defenders to go coast-to-coast for a dunk, score with ease with his back to the basket, and step out to knock down threes. When he catches on the block you can’t allow him to turn over his left shoulder, because his right handed hook shot is just about automatic. But he has the feel on the block to know when defenders are shadowing too far one way, and he’s able to quickly spin in the opposite direction and use his shoulders to get his man on his back before finishing. Had games of 32 and 29 points to help lead Starks Elite to the 17u title game.
Buai Duop Buai Duop 6'4" | PF Austin | 2023 State MN (6’4 2023 PF, MN Lightning Dahl)- Lightning-Dahl started five players from Austin, and it was Buai manning the paint for his team. He’s a bruiser down low but is also very nimble at his size allowing to him take defenders off the dribble. On one play he caught on the block and bulldozed his defender into deep position before finishing with ease, but other possessions saw him catching at the high post and utilizing his handle to get to the rim and score/facilitate. Buai has great touch around the basket with his left hand, and also impressed me with how quick he can get off the floor to pull in rebounds as well as coming away with a big block in the game I saw.
Jace Hernandez Jace Hernandez 6'8" | C Lakeville North | 2023 State MN (6’8 2023 PF/C, Minnesota Fury )- Jace had some nice moments in Fury’s quarterfinals matchup with the Northstar Titans . He’s one of those players who just always seems to be in the right place at the right time to make plays. Whether he was reacting to a missed shot off the rim and hustling for the offensive board, or being active with cuts and pick & rolls to catch the ball in the paint, Jace was finding ways to get open looks inside. Always had his hands ready to catch and it allowed him to handle any pass that came his way before quickly going up to finish.
Ian Fahje Ian Fahje 6'8" | C Pelican Rapids | 2023 State MN (6’7 2023 PF/C, West Central Wildcats )- At 6’7 Ian is a big man that has to be accounted for from beyond the arc. In the game I watched he was dangerous picking and popping out to knock down a few threes from the top of the arc. Has no shortage of confidence in his jumper and it forces opposing bigs to defend him on the perimeter. He’s by no means a point guard, but he handled the ball pretty well at his size and on two occasions he beat his man off the dribble to make plays. One of those resulted in a floater from around the free throw line, and the other saw him get into the lane, draw in an extra defender, and then dump it off to his open teammate around the rim. I like how physical he gets on the defensive end, making it extremely difficult for the opposing team to enter the ball to their big on the block. Does a nice job of contesting straight up even after taking some shots to the chest down low.
Will Kutzler Will Kutzler 6'7" | PF Lakeville North | 2023 State MN (6’7 2023 F, WOTN)- Will has made some big strides in his game over the past few months, and you can tell his confidence is starting to grow on the offensive side. At 6’7 he moves very well, able to operate on the ball in the half-court as well as get up and down the floor in transition. Has always been able to stretch the floor with his outside shot but was playing more physical on both ends of the floor in the game I watched. Can put the ball on the floor and beat his man off the dribble to get to the rim where he can finish off one or two feet. Defensively has no problem sticking with smaller players when switched, and isn’t afraid to stand his ground on the block against size.
Collin Mulholland Collin Mulholland 6'10" | C Holy Family | 2023 State MN (6’10 2023 C, Minnesota Heat MacDonald)- Collin is a unique offensive talent with a skillset you don’t often see in guys his size. In the game I saw he showcased a turnaround jumper out of the block that combined with his size and release point is so hard for defenders to contest. Against a smaller team he was facing very scrappy defense and probably could’ve gotten a few more foul calls than he did, but I like how he didn’t let it faze him and instead remained aggressive trying to score from the block and showed some strength to play through contact. Floor stretcher who’s dangerous in the pick & pop. Defensively he has decent mobility to slide into the right spots to contest around the rim, and does a nice job of walling up and utilizing his length to alter opponents’ shots in the paint.