The Race for Mr. Basketball: Opening Week
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We break down the opening week as far as the top Mr. Basketball candidates go. Here are some quick notes of the early performances! Favorite. Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN…
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Continue ReadingWe break down the opening week as far as the top Mr. Basketball candidates go. Here are some quick notes of the early performances!
Favorite. Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN of Totino-Grace. Taison is the highest ranked player in the class, he’s the player returning as Class AAA Player of the Year, he’s the player returning as State Champion, and he’s the player returning as First Team All State. That gets you in this spot. Totino-Grace does not play their first game until Saturday, and they face Lakeville North. Talk about a stiff opening opponent, just ask East Ridge!
Top Contenders
Boden Kapke Boden Kapke 6'11" | C Holy Family | 2023 State #153 Nation MN of Holy Family. Kapke opened his year with 37 points and 15 rebounds making 18 of 21 foul shots in a 25 point win over Chanhassen. Kapke was completely dominant in all ways for the top ranked Class AA team in state. Their next game is at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic this Saturday against PEM (the Watertown-Mayer game has been moved).
Nolan Winter Nolan Winter 7'0" | PF Lakeville North | 2023 State #98 Nation MN of Lakeville North. Winter was defensive rebounding dominant (13 boards), he was efficient scoring within the motion offense and scoring with his own creations (24 points), Nolan hit a three, scored on 11 of 13 shots, and did that against Brayden Carlson Brayden Carlson 6'8" | C Holy Family | 2024 State MN and 5th ranked East Ridge in a blowout!
Final Five
CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN of Park Center. The top ranked Pirates crushed Edina 82-45 last night and O’Hara was one of six players scoring in double figures (he had 13 points). The Pirates face DeLaSalle tomorrow night meaning O’Hara and another top candidate are going head to head. And that candidate is….
Nasir Whitlock Nasir Whitlock 6'2" | PG Delasalle | 2023 State MN of DeLaSalle. Whitlock and the Islanders open their season with Park Center tomorrow and then Minnetonka at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic this Saturday. Whitlock is a Lehigh commit coming off a Class AAA All State First Team season.
Other Contenders
Max Shikenjanski Max Shikenjanski 6'2" | PG Stillwater | 2023 State #288 Nation MN of Stillwater. Max finished off an incredible football season and moved right into scoring 25 points for the Ponies in a win over North St. Paul.
Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN of Totino-Grace. Humphries is of course a teammate of Chatman so the Eagles have not played yet. The Furman signed guard is coming off a great 17u year with D1 Minnesota.
Jack Janicki Jack Janicki 6'4" | SG White Bear Lake | 2023 State #277 Nation MN of White Bear Lake. We will keep Jack here because he belongs among this group even though he is going to miss the start of the season to injury.
Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN of Hayfield. The two time state champ and returning Class A Player of the Year has his team at 2-0. Has scored 1,546 career points. Averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a season as a junior.
Chiddi Obiazor Chiddi Obiazor 6'5" | PF Eden Prairie | 2023 MN of Eden Prairie. The powerful, explosive big put up 29 points on perfect 10 of 10 shooting from the field last night with another 9 for 9 foul shooting and 13 boards. The Kansas State football commit would likely be a favorite for this award but it sounds like he might be headed to college after the New Year.