Top 250 Expo: Max’s 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Top 250 Expo was loaded with talent from across Minnesota's '25, '24, and '23 classes competing at Hopkins High School. Although the upperclassmen typically garner the spotlight, these seven sophomores produced at a high level on Saturday afternoon!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6344572729ac0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1594744"],"_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":"Billy came off the bench in the first game of the day and immediately made an impact on the offensive end. He put-back a teammates miss and then followed that up with a pair of threes and another lay-up off a hard cut. Showed his ability to score from inside or out, but was perhaps most impressive as a passer. Billy has excellent court vision from the perimeter and found success hitting his teammates cutting to the basket while also being able to deliver a pocket pass out of a pick u0026amp; roll.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1579911"],"_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":"Carson doesn't play like a typical sophomore. He has the poise and awareness of an upperclassmen, and never looks sped up on the ball. Even in a camp setting where most players are looking to get their own shots, he was extremely unselfish with the basketball and had excellent shot selection. Has the IQ to always look ahead and scan the floor after pulling in a defensive rebound or an outlet pass, and on a couple occasions it allowed for him to launch the ball ahead and pick up easy points for his team. When looking to score he has the strength and body control to finish through contact, and showcased a nice spin move in the lane.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1574212"],"_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":"Anthony has been really impressive this fall in a variety of settings. Even against older players he has all the confidence in the world that he can go an get a bucket. He backs that confidence up with a high level of offensive production, due to his shifty handle and ability to score at all three levels. Smith can pull-up from mid-range in the blink of an eye, is a sharpshooter from three, and is fearless attacking the basket at his size. Does a great job of extending the ball away from shot blockers to finish inside, but also isn't afraid to go into contact and draw a foul. Had a stint in the second half where he was getting bucket after bucket because no one on the floor could keep him in front.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1411178"],"_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":"I was really impressed with Brayson's versatility on Saturday. It was my first time seeing him in person and his defensive contributions immediately stood out. He has a long and lanky frame and is very mobile at his size allowing him to switch off and guard just about every spot on the floor. Uses his length well to not only contest shots at the rim but to also rebound at a high level. On the offensive end he found success getting to the basket and had a handful of crafty finishes using his length to extend and score.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1575346"],"_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":"Eastview always seems to have talented size coming up in the ranks, and Jack is no exception. The 6'6 sophomore is a long prospect with a smooth jumper from beyond the arc. He was one of the top shooters I saw on the day as defenders couldn't afford to leave him any space from deep because he hits his shots at such a high rate. Has some solid mobility that makes you think he could alternate between the 3 and 4 spots due to his size and skillset.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1574221"],"_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":"One of the most explosive athletes in the 2025 class is [player_tooltip player_id='1574221' first='Max' last='Lorenson']. Every game he seems to catch opposing players off guard with his ability to elevate and finish at the rim in impressive fashion. Really quick change of direction on the ball allows him to beat his man off the dribble before he explodes off two feet to lay it in over the help-side defender. Max also has a nice mid-range game as his bounce allows him to rise up and easily get a shot off with a defender on him. Defensively he can sit deep in a stance but also act as a shot blocking threat on the help-side.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1448601"],"_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":"Desmond is always composed on the ball and handles it well under pressure. It didn't matter what defenses threw at him, he never got sped up and was so good at splitting double teams and then finding the open man. Does the bulk of his scoring either from beyond the arc or getting into the paint and putting up a high arcing floater. He's always one of the smaller players on the floor but has been playing up for a while and does a good job of holding off physical players to keep the ball under pressure. Capped off one of his games with a buzzer beater from just inside the half-court line.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->