NHR State: Jack’s Friday Night Impressive

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops NHR State Tournament kicked off last night and here are the seven prospects who stood out to me the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574221"],"_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: 400u0022u003eMax looked like the best player on the floor on Friday, seeming to take over the game whenever he wanted. The 6'1” guard was almost impossible to stop from attacking the basket and has the ability to hang in the air to contort his body for some crazy acrobatic finishes. He also impressed me with his pull-up jumper that he would often get to in the mid-range using the dribble. Lorenson has a super quick first step and was leaving defenders in the dust all game. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef9595b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574226"],"_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: 400u0022u003ePeyton was getting whatever he wanted in Friday night's win. The 2025 guard looked much more explosive compared to the last time I saw him play, rising above defenders for finishes and throwing down dunks on fast breaks. He contributed as Select's main ball handler in many situations and showed off his handle and vision with some impressive kick out passes to teammates following strong drives. Podany finished off a plethora of contested layups at the basket as well. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef959ed"} /--> <!-- 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: 400u0022u003eThis is the second time I have been impressed with Preston this AAU season and he brings a unique variety of skills to the table as a prospect. He has solid size for a wing and he looked very comfortable putting the ball on the floor to make things happen in the half court and in transition. He did the majority of his scoring and facilitating driving towards the basket, either finishing over/through a defender or kicking it out to a teammate. The Champlin Park 2025 also showed his range with a catch-and-shoot three. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef95a6e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585946"],"_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: 400u0022u003eOmar used his strength and physicality to dominate smaller defenders down low all game. The 6'7” forward has very smooth footwork for his size and has a deep bag of moves he can go to when his back is to the basket. He grabbed several contested rebounds and was altering opponents shots while protecting the paint. He also showed some of what he can do putting the ball on the floor, creating off the dribble in the half court and in the open floor. I believe Kaba has a lot of potential as a prospect. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef95b04"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874875"],"_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: 400u0022u003eJaiden was a huge reason MN [program_tooltip program_id='159069' first='Crossfire' last=''] found so much success in their opening night win. He was helping his team get easy looks, whether it was shooting the ball himself or getting his teammates involved. There were several times where he would catch an outlet pass and then outrun defenders for an easy transition layup. He also impressed me with his defense and ability to handle the ball when faced with pressure. Klein is another solid prospect in the Wayzata pipeline. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef95b8c"} /--> <!-- 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":"Nathan Merrell","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"DeLaSalle","_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: 400u0022u003eNathan provided consistent perimeter scoring throughout Heat Academic's Friday night win. The 6-foot wing was lethal in catch-and-shoot situations, always being prepared for a kick out pass from a driving teammate. He has silky smooth mechanics and can get shots off quick to avoid contests. He also took advantage of defenders not constantly having a hand in his face, shooting right over them. Merrell also showed intensity on the defensive end getting his hands in passing lanes. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef95c85"} /--> <!-- 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":"Aiden Eckert","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"New Richmond","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Border Select","_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: 400u0022u003eAiden was fun to watch with the ball in hands on Friday night. His team just fell short but the New Richmond 2025 showed a variety of ways he could finish around the basket to avoid his shots from being blocked. I saw him go to a floater on one occasion, as well as an acrobatic reverse layup through contact. He can also stretch the floor, as he knocked down a pair of pull-up threes in the second half. Eckert looked very comfortable creating looks for himself. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647b48ef95d6c"} /-->