HDWD The League: Week 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HDWD The League kicked off this past weekend in Eden Prairie, with a talented mix of player from all over Minnesota competing. I was in attendance and these are seven of the prospects who impressed in the two games I saw!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320c7079e9e7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You don't often see 6'9 high schoolers with the type of athleticism that Grayson has. It's not just in his explosiveness around the basket, but also in the speed and fluidity that he gets up and down the floor. One play saw him weave in and out of defenders the length of the floor before casually dunking over a 6'6 defender like it was nothing. He's very quick off the ground which makes him a major shot blocking threat on one end, while also being able to get up and throw down dunks with ease under the basket. Add in soft touch around the rim, effort to sprint up and down the floor, and a solid handle on the perimeter/in transition, and you have a forward set for a huge junior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1437335"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1437335' first='Owen' last='Kemper'] put together a really nice game in the season opener against one of the most talented teams in the league. He showed a nose for the basket, and used his change of speed on the ball to maneuver his way to the rim for a bunch of finishes in the first half. Really crafty guard who was able to attack and finish with speed, or stop on two feet and use his footwork to create high percentage looks in the paint. Looks ready to step into a nice varsity role at Edina as a junior.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1223070"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the top uncommitted seniors in Minnesota, Patrick was dominant around the basket in the game I saw. The opposing team just didn't have an answer for his blend of size, quick feet, and strength on the block. Patrick has a super quick spin move that he'll use to immediately pin his man on his shoulder after catching on the block allowing for an easy finish on the opposite side. Even while playing with a bunch of new faces, they knew to find Patrick on the block because he was going to give them points in bunches. Also flashed his outside jumper with a pair of threes and threw down two explosive dunks. Defensively showed comfort switching out on to smaller players and swatted at least three shots.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1139244"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Brooks made the trip down from Duluth and produced at a high level in a win for the pink team. At around 6'5 he's a versatile option on the wing because of his ability to hit outside shots, attack off the dribble, and find ways to get looks inside with his off-ball movement. Does a great job of driving under control and not forcing up his shot. Once at the rim he's very crafty and is able to finish with either hand, through contact, and can also go up and under for a reverse lay-up depending on the defenders' positioning.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1284143"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Isaiah showed why he's one of the top 2024 prospects in Minnesota as he produced at a high level in game one. He continues to show improvement creating off the dribble, as he had multiple drives beating his man to the basket and either finishing with a dunk or touch off the backboard. His skillset will allow him to play the 3 or the 4 as he can attack and shoot from the wing, but is also so good in that dunker spot and also showed he can be a threat in the pick u0026amp; pop game. Defensively his size allows him to defend in the paint, but you won't find a lot of guys Isaiah's size that can move like him, so he's more than capable of sliding his feet on the perimeter as well.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1579885"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Nolan saw some time playing 17u on the 3SSB with J-Sizzle, and that experience looks to have paid off as he had a strong showing on Sunday night. The Orono guard is a high level shooter from deep, and he also knows how to use his shooting threat to get defenders in the air with a head-fake to open up some driving lanes. He's really deceptive with his change of speed on the ball, and around the basket he knows how to finish away from his body to extend and avoid shot blockers. Also showcased a nice floater that will allow him to finish over size consistently. Looks ready to play a key role for what could be a very good Orono team this winter.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1574212"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Defenders of all sizes had a hard time keeping Anthony in front of them on Sunday night. The sophomore guard is incredibly shifty with the ball in his hands, and with his deep range as well as fearlessness attacking the basket it makes him very unpredictable. You never know what Anthony is going to do as he can pull-up for a jumper in the blink of an eye, but also get all the way to the basket and use his body to shield off shot blockers before finishing. He has some impressive body control which allows him to convert on some difficult chances inside, and when he sees a couple of shots go in early he can put up points in a hurry. Smith also had arguably the best pass I saw all day, launching the ball ahead from half-court through a tight window right into his teammate's hands.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->