Max’s Weekend Prospect Standouts
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Seven players who impressed in the three games I watched on Saturday! Nasir Whitlock MN #4 PG #2 HEIGHT 6'2" POS PG CLASS 2023 View Profile Nasir Whitlock Instagram Twitter State: Minnesota School: Delasalle Club: Gain Elite Nas figured to…
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Continue ReadingSeven players who impressed in the three games I watched on Saturday!
Nas figured to be in the mix for Mr. Basketball this season, but after the week he had Nas should now be viewed as a legit contender. Earlier in the week he scored 40 points in a win over Fridley, and on Saturday he took over in the second half against Hopkins, finishing with 52 points in the win. It seems like there’s no one in the state that can defend him 1v1, and it leads to him getting plenty of open looks off the dribble or otherwise drawing fouls as defenders just can’t stay in front of him. Whitlock mixed in some threes off the catch, a few mid-range pull-ups, and some tough finishes at the rim displaying advanced body control. Even heading into halftime with a deficit he never waivered, and took over in the second half to put his team in front.
Vinny came off the bench for Prior Lake and immediately made an impact on the floor for Prior Lake. He stripped the ball from his man in the open floor leading to an easy lay-up, hit a jumper from the top of the key, scrapped for a few finishes inside, and also displayed good court vision. Caught the ball on the top of the key and noticed his big man had a seal, before delivering an accurate pass for an easy lay-up. Also made a tough bounce pass in transition look routine leading to another easy bucket. Finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in the big win.
Highlights
The last time I mentioned Kole was because of his 44 point game against Minnehaha. This time it’s because of how well he was passing the ball against White Bear Lake. He’s a really shifty guard who can hesitate and then blow by his man forcing extra defenders to slide in to stop him. When this happened on Saturday he was quickly able to locate the open man, whether that was kicking it out to a shooter or dumping it off to one of his forwards in the paint. He racked up assist after assist in the second half helping his team pull away. Also displayed that lighting quick release on his jumper leading to an 18 point showing.
Highlights
Isreal is committed to Kansas for football, but is a real difference maker on the hardwood for DeLaSalle. He’s 6’3 but has a very long frame with standout athleticism, allowing him to play much bigger than his height. Defensively he was a major shot blocking threat using his athleticism to get into position and elevate, sending multiple shots sailing off the court. On the offensive end he was finishing his looks inside off dump-off passes, ran the floor hard in transition, and hit a corner three. Finished off with 15 points in the win for the Islanders.
Most of his playing time and production came at the end of the game when both teams pulled their starters, but for a freshman big Colin showed some real nice potential. He has a really nice frame to continue to build on, and already possesses mobility that most guys his size don’t have. Piper showed that when he took a rebound and dribbled the length of the floor before elevating for a one-handed dunk. I wasn’t expecting that type of quickness or explosiveness out of the freshman forward. Outside of that he was finishing at a high percentage and rebounding strong during his limited minutes. Ended up scoring 10 points in the loss to Holy Family.
Highlights
Because of how long he’s already been playing varsity basketball, it can be easy to forget that Jayden Moore Jayden Moore 6’0″ | PG Hopkins | 2026 State MN is still just a freshman. And it’s even more impressive that as a freshman he’s making 20+ point, near triple-double type of games look routine. Against DeLaSalle he put up 23 points, and although I haven’t seen any official numbers, he was likely once again nearing double-digit rebounds and assists. He’s just so quick with the ball, and is a perfect point guard for a Hopkins team that is constantly looking to run. Had some impressive takes to the basket resulting in strong finishes, and also showcased his passing vision. On one occasion he took a short outlet pass, and immediately chucked the ball the length of the floor into the opposite corner for a three point make from his teammate. Ended up picking up his 4th foul mid-way through the second half, but was playing some tough defense and using his quick hands to create steals for most of the game.
Highlights
Michael Richelsen
Michael Richelsen
Holy Family had all five of their starters score in double-figures against White Bear Lake, and Michael seemed to always be in the right place at the right time for high percentage shots. Whether it was simply filling his lane in transition, or sliding into the right spots along the perimeter for kick out passes, he just knew where to be off the ball. With all of the talent around him he doesn’t need to force his offense, and instead waited for high percentage looks from three or around the rim that he was able to convert into 14 points in a win.