Battle at the Lakes: Jack’s 16U Saturday AM Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday morning and afternoon showcased most of the top 16U talent in this entire event. Here were the seven prospects who caught my eye in the action I was able to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370517"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSiraaj turned in an incredible performance in a lopsided victory over a tough [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 2026 team. I was so impressed with the way he carried himself with the ball in hands, never looking rushed or fazed. He always looked to make the right plays and never turned the ball over. Whether it was his scoring or his facilitating, opponents had no answer for him whatsoever. He has a super tight handle and made it look easy blowing by defenders. He can also shoot it from outside or get to the rim and finish through contact. Ali was never the tallest player on the floor but dominated the entire game. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db6040d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874925"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eI was not very familiar with Preston's game coming into this weekend but he blew me away with his performance on Saturday. He has a strong, 6'2” frame and used that to his advantage to get down hill for some contested finishes at the basket. He can change direction very quickly and was finding no problems getting around his defender. He also threw down a powerful one-handed dunk in the first half. The Champlin Park junior played both guard positions in the game I saw and looked very comfortable handling the ball despite constant pressure. Thielke is an all-around player who led Crossfire to a hard fought win. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db60487"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Columbia Heights","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"D1MN 3SSB 2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJaeden is only in the 8th grade but is playing at the 16U level this weekend. He has played up with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 2026 squad this spring and really impressed me with his scoring arsenal. The 6'1” combo guard shines the most with the ball in his hands when he can create looks for himself using the dribble, but also looked good working off the ball. Udean was key in their comeback attempt, connecting with some super tough shots late in the game. He was going to side steps and step backs to get separation from defenders and looked unfazed making shots off balance or with a hand in his face. Jaeden is coming off of a high school season where he averaged double-digits at Columbia Heights. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db60535"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617710"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGavin was putting on a show in their Saturday morning matchup and took the game over late. He is a very gifted scorer and caught fire from the perimeter. He connected with three triples off of passes from teammates in catch-and-shoot situations and also hit a step back shot from beyond the arc. He had an impressive behind-the-back pass to a teammate in transition for an easy basket as well. Krenz is another talented young prospect in the Totino-Grace system. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db6058d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2103397' first='Cody' last='Stapel']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"HLWW","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"MN Heat Academic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCody showed off his versatile skill set on Saturday, impacting the game in a variety of ways. He stands at 6'3” and has a strong frame, being able to play physically on both ends of the floor when necessary. He also showed flashes of what he could do with the ball in his hands, working in the pick and roll and seeing open floor opportunities in transition. He has a silky smooth shot and connected with a pair of three-pointers in the first half as well. Stapel was a varsity starter as a sophomore this past season at Howard Lake-Waverly Winstead. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db6060d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288747"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAndrew was super fun to watch on Saturday with the way he flies around the floor and is always giving full effort. He found major success in pressuring opposing ball handlers to force turnovers and then go and finish at the other end. He is lighting fast and had no problems outrunning opponents in transition. He had active hands on defense, constantly poking balls free and deflecting passes as well. The DeLaSalle sophomore was also not afraid to convert through contact in the paint. I really admired Apiagyei's energy and effort. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db60653"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874873"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCobie was the main ball handler for his team and stood out to me the most when pressured. He has a super tight handle and uses that to slice his way through the full court traps and presses thrown at him. He is one of the quickest players I have seen all weekend and was blowing by defenders nearly every time he touched the ball. When he gets inside, he has the ability to hang in the air and either convert an acrobatic finish or kick the ball out to an open teammate for a better look. Dean was electric with the ball in his hands on Saturday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646013db60693"} /-->