Hard Work Finals: The Friday Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players that I think colleges will like when they get a chance to see them? And what did I see that they will like? Here is the list!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552934' first='Will' last='Brands'] of Minnesota Rush (6'3 forward, 2024, Totino-Grace). Will is one of the more interesting student athletes in the 2024 class. This is a 4.0 kid who excels on the football field and basketball court. Hoops wise he is from TG where he will play a role within a stacked line-up, but with Rush he is one of their reliable scorers and Will does it consistently. He scored 23 last night mixing in that three point stroke while also using that 200 pound frame well around the basket. He's the "what do you need from me" kind of kid and he will do what the team needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587155' first='Jack' last='Gross'] of Minnesota Rise 17s (6'4 guard, 2025, BOLD). Jack is next up when it comes to 2025 talents in Minnesota rising to the surface and collecting notice as a scholarship prospect. He's a lefty with a beautiful touch, Gross does a lot of ball handling and is a great distributor, going at the rim he's got pop to his lift, and all around Jack is a scholarship kid no doubt. D2? Oh yes. D1? After my last two viewings I think he has a chance. Either way, Gross will land in a good spot as he is that level of talent at 6'4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288700' first='Porter' last='Ihnen'] of Sanford Sports Academy (6'5 guard, 2024, Lennox). Porter has been outstanding each viewing I've had of him this summer. I think he's a perfect fit for USD in terms of his skill, production, toughness and versatility. Porter is finishing attacks to the cup with regularity and I've loved seeing that mid-range lefty jumper finished with a quality percentage on a nightly basis. Porter shot 8 of 13 last night in the game I watched and the previous time I saw him he was 10 of 17, not to mention he combined for 19 rebounds in those games as a big guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1139244' first='Brooks' last='Johnson'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite'] 17s (6'5 guard, 2025, Hermantown). Brooks was having an okay game against the [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] but not his best. The second half had a long, rough stretch for both teams and it was a one score game with five minutes to go. That's when the best player on the floor took over. Johnson secured five defensive rebounds in traffic ending possessions. Johnson went into the post, demanded the ball, received it, and scored. The final touch was a three in the corner in the final minute that put the game away. With 17 points, ten boards and four assists Brooks came up clutch and moved his team into the next round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270335' first='Jacoby' last='Mehrman'] of Sanford Sports Academy (6'4 PG, 2024, Harrisburg). It was fun seeing Sioux Falls, Northern State, U of Mary, and several others cram into the coaching area two different times last night and a big reason was Mehrman. Jacoby is one of my favorite players to watch because of the way he passes the basketball with the quick outlet, with the transition push, hitting cutters in the halfcourt, and just making the game easier for teammates. I have such a high opinion of his game because he executes what the coach asks and Jacoby makes life easier for teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2361349' first='Jaymeson' last='Travis'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] (6'5 forward, 2024, Osseo). Travis is one of the best offensive rebounders you will see anywhere. Between his strength, fight, quick response, and feel for the carom, he is nearly unstoppable on the offensive glass. He had 14 rebounds last night and I would say at least eight were on the offensive and leading to the majority of his 15 points. You want a worker at D3? Travis is your worker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->