Week Two: Top 2023 Players Tony Saw

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1167744"],"_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":"Wheatley was more of a tertiary scoring option for the Lynx last season but has stepped into a primary role as both a ball-handler and scorer this season and thrived. He's a really good shooter who can get scorching hot and has the ability to shoot it at a high level both off the dribble and the catch with a smooth, repeatable release. He's a reliable ball-handler who values possessions and will get others involved, and he flies all over the place on the defensive end with quick, active hands. He was one of several Lynx players who got a shot at Beckman star [player_tooltip player_id='1067659' first='Padraig' last='Gallagher'] on the defensive end and helped keep him in check with his quickness and ability to contest. He had 19 points on 8-12 shooting (2-4 3P), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in the Lynx's non-conference win over Beckman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1167704"],"_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":"Haughenbury was the top returnee for the Lynx and has been excellent early in the season on both ends of the floor. In North Linn's win over Beckman, he had 13 points (5-9 FG), 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He's an efficient finisher around the rim who runs the floor hard and has great hands, but what really stood out in this game was the playmaking. A few of the assists were simple dump-off passes, but several were made after he put the ball on the floor, made the defense collapse, and found an open teammate for a good look. He looks more comfortable as a ball-handler when he catches on the perimeter, and while he isn't going to ever be confused for Jake Hilmer out on the perimeter for North Linn, adding some handles to his arsenal and having the ability to create some plays for himself and his teammates with his size is a major development for this offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1067659"],"_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":"The future Northwest Missouri State wing didn't have his best shooting night, and a lot of that can be credited to a stellar North Linn defense, but he found other ways to contribute for the Blazers, finishing with 14 points on 5-13 shooting (2-7 3P), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal. His offensive game is smooth, with a pure, effortless stroke and plenty of range. He has a quick release on his jumper and with his size, he's able to get it off without being too bothered by contesting defenders. He flashed improved confidence in his ball-handling and passing, dishing out six helpers, and he's always going to contribute in a major way on the glass. He makes things look easy on the hardwood.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1167689"],"_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":"Yamilkoski was dominant in the Saints' win over Williamsburg, pouring in 31 points on 11-19 shooting (3-9 3P, 6-7 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He has always been a strong scoring threat, but he continues to iron out his ball-handling skills and has really improved his ability to attack hard closeouts, play within ball screen actions as both a scorer and distributor, and actually go somewhere with his dribble and put constant pressure on opposing defenses. He finishes through contact well around the rim and has a pure stroke out to the arc. He continues to improve as a defender both on the ball and off, getting up into passing lanes and moving his feet when defending on the ball. He's one of the top uncommitted players remaining in the 2023 class, and his continued all-around development should lead to some offers soon.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1426814"],"_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":"Williamsburg hasn't uploaded their box score into Bound yet, so I don't have full stat numbers, but I had Harman down for 14 points in the Raiders' loss to Xavier on Tuesday night. A 6-6 lefty with a pure jumper, he really impressed from the mid-range, showing the ability to create his own shot and a real knack for getting to his spots and burying jumpers. He knocked down several turnaround jumpers from about 15 feet, a shot that he has clearly worked on a bunch, using his size to elevate above the defense, locate the rim, and showcase his pure stroke.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["956447"],"_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":"Biliew was ranked #1 in the state in the 2023 class when he moved away to play at Link Academy. At the time, the ranking was based more on his long-term potential and blend of unique size and athleticism. He's moved back to Iowa now, and that #1 ranking in the state is now based entirely on his unique blend of size, athleticism, and incredible talent. He has put in a tremendous amount of work since he last played in Iowa, improving as a ball-handler, shot creator, shot maker, rebounder, defender. It's easy to see why he's a top-10 national recruit who is likely destined to play in the NBA, which is something I have never written about a player in this state, because I don't believe in hyperbole. He's an electric athlete that people around the state need to appreciate this year, because he's the best prospect the state has seen since Harrison Barnes was ranked #1 nationally over a decade ago. He had 27 points (9-13 FG, 3-5 3P, 6-7 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and an assist in the Warriors' narrow loss to Northwest in a #1 vs. #2 matchup.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1239875"],"_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":"Randall had a really strong game for the Warriors, pouring in 17 points on 5-10 shooting (3-8 3P, 4-4 FT). He's a really good perimeter shooting threat who moves well without the ball in his hands, finding spaces in the defense to get his shot off with a smooth, repeatable release. He's an active defender who moves his feet well and has good awareness on that end of the floor, sliding in to take a charge and rotating over as a strong help defender.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["956887"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Kelderman played the best game of his high school career, dropping 30 points on 11-17 shooting (2-2 3P, 6-7 FT) with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. He scored the game-winning layup with just 1.2 seconds left in the biggest game of the year around the state. A powerful lefty who can finish through contact around the bucket, he showed incredible poise and a knack for knocking down big shot after big shot. He stepped up in a major way when Sandfort was sidelined by an ankle injury, showing that he has the ability to be a go-to scorer or a dominant facilitator who can get others involved in a major way. A strong on-ball defender with quick hands, he does a great job moving his feet and using his active hands to bother opposing ball-handlers.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["956868"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Sandfort rolled his ankle early in the second quarter and missed a chunk of time throughout the game, but battled through the injury in the second half. His offensive game was clearly limited by the injury, but he found other ways to contribute, defending well, protecting the rim, and knocking down his free throws. We know what to expect from Sandfort, and while the injury certainly sapped something out of his stat line, he still showed all of the attributes that make him one of the best prospects in the Midwest.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1167717"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"A physically imposing presence in the paint for the Hawks, Berends pairs his big, physical frame with soft hands and good touch around the rim to control the painted area on both ends of the floor. He had 24 points on 11-15 shooting in their loss to Sioux Central, scoring with efficiency around the bucket and using his great hands to corral everything that came his way. Defensively he's the focal point of their 2-3 zone, with his size and shot blocking serving as an intimidating presence in the middle.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["1367440"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"An athletic guard who can get to the rim or knock down shots from deep, Ebel uses his athletic ability to contribute in a major way on the glass as well, pulling down 10 rebounds to go with 12 points and 4 assists. He has a good feel for the game and doesn't force anything, taking shots when they're open, and getting others involved when they aren't. His ability to contribute on the glass and lead the break make him valuable on the hardwood, and he can be a solid on-ball defender with his quickness.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["1240102"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Boettcher didn't shoot it very well in the Rebels win over HMS, going just 1-7 from behind the arc, but he still finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. The form on his jumper is good, with a high, quick release, plenty of range, and a tight elbow, he just had a few rim in-and-out or it would've been a big night for him. He does a nice job using his shot to open up the rest of his game, putting the ball on the floor and getting into the teeth of the defense where he has a strong floater game and excellent court vision. He's a good ball-handler and decision-maker who will do a little bit of everything for his team.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["1167698"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Hargens was absolutely dominant in the Rebels win over HMS, scoring 37 points on 14-23 shooting (1-4 3P, 8-9 FT) to go with 15 rebounds and 5 assists. A big, strong, athletic wing who loves to attack the bucket, he was in constant attack mode, looking to get to the rim whenever he touched it. He's a strong finisher around the bucket who can absorb the contact and finish through it. The release on his jumper could stand to be a touch quicker, but the form is smooth, with his elbow tight and a good follow through. He's a plus athlete who can defend multiple positions, and he's a fantastic rebounder on both ends of the floor who high-points the ball and is a good enough ball-handler to lead the break after pulling down a defensive board. He was fantastic.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638f876ebe6b0"} /-->