The Last Dance: Saturday Stock Risers

Players that I feel are better prospects than I originally thought coming into the weekend at The Last Dance.

Kendall Bentley of Hopson Elite (6'2 PG, 2024). My first viewing of Bentley was a high quality one. In fact I would say he was one of the best players I saw on Saturday. It was a first viewing so I have to keep temptations to speak too highly in check but at the same time he jumped from a 15 point, seven assist game into a 25 point, five board, five assist game. His dribble combination to beat guy one, followed by the ability to get around the help, it was eye opening and it was regular. What I loved about Bentley is that his 14 shots to get 25 points, I think only one of them was maybe a bit early, and that was a maybe. It was a very efficient scoring game which is much more valuable than what we have seen from many other guards.

Jacob Brandt of ECI Prospects (6'8 Big, 2024). This Hillsboro Burro from North Dakota looks so much better than when I last saw him. I don't have a baseline to know what he has done in past winters and where he has been but I can tell you that Friday night I took note that he was a factor posting, rebounding, and getting to his help consistently. And yesterday against an older team from Ontario with athletes, Brandt did those same things but also hit mid-range shots in the paint and some power deep baskets to score seven straight times for a 16 point game. Something to monitor.

Da'Marcus Burks of Minnesota Select (6'2 Guard, 2024). When it comes to strong, explosive athletes on the court, Burks is that downhill demon coming at you that you should be scared of. He's explosive at the rim but also a quality passer to the teammates running with him. His four score, six board, six assist game Saturday night was a great example of what he brings along with the kind of ball pressure lately that could really change who he is and what he does.

Nazir Davis of New Mexico D1 (6'2 PG, 2024). This Arizona guard is so so close. I said it in the spring and I will say again today, he is so close. The patience and the delivery were there on Saturday when he had eight assists helping his team stay right with the Minnesota Lightning, His dribble separation attack left quick defenders mixed up, and the Davis finish on the move led to scores and creations. There is a pace to him at times that I love and think a few years from now could be something that people point to at the college level. He's so close.

Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson 6'4" | SG Lakeville South | 2024 State MN of Minnesota Select (6'4 Guard, 2024). One of the hottest names in the Northern Sun right now is Ryan Johnson Ryan Johnson 6'4" | SG Lakeville South | 2024 State MN of Lakeville South. He's earned multiple NSIC offers. Why? It's the plug him in and play him ability I would say. Ryan is a strong 6-foot-4 which is why he played up for Select last year and often was a forward doing things around the basket. Then you see him in high school and he is running the point. Then you Ryan with Select and he's out here pushing the ball, hitting a handful of shots, making the right pass and just contributing all over.

Julius Joseph-Brown of DC United (6'7 Wing, 2023). If we want to talk potential Julius has it pouring out. He's got a big, agile frame that is a couple months of college weight room work from being the type of frame those trainers work a few years to get to. Joseph-Brown has a contested touch shot making ability that caught my eye and his lift to the rim off the dribble also caught the eye. Needs a bit more skill refinement, a bit more consistency, but he is very close to being a quality product at the next level.

Luke Wherley Luke Wherley 6'5" | SF Shakopee | 2025 State MN of Minnesota Fury (6'6 Forward, 2025). Time to get bold. Time to predict. And it's time to say that Lucas Wherley will be looking at quality D2 options and getting some local D1 calls. The way he shoots the basketball, and the way he plays with outstanding results within the framework of the offense, get ready Minnesota, we have a new player banging on the door of potential top ten players in his class. Wherley hit five threes in the most recent Fury beatdown that we saw, and he did it in that ball moving, full team actively cutting, the Fury is up double figures immediately again way that we are so used to. Lucas Wherley is next up.