Minnesota Comets Expo 2024 Prospects Part 1

Ryan Schmidt September 19, 2023 @ 10:45 AM

[player_tooltip player_id='1452542' first='Ari' last='Gooch'] is a six-foot-one-inch guard from Park Center. Gooch uses speed to get downhill to the bucket where he is a creative scorer and an <a href="https://twitter.com/arigooch_/status/1672307845222617089">elite level dunker for his size</a>. The ability to get by defenders, combined with his ability to score with either hand made him nearly impossible to guard at the Comets Expo. Gooch also shot the ball well from deep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1288648' first='Aiden' last='Johnson'] is six-foot-seven-inch forward from Cannon Falls. Johnson doesn't need a lot of space to get his shot off and he has a smooth, quick and release. I've witnessed Johnson multiple times this Spring shoot the ball well for the Minnesota Comets but Johnson at the Comets Expo showed other parts of his game. Johnson is a solid ball handler and a good passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1288787' first='Brody' last='Wishart'] is a six-foot-three-inch guard from Buffalo. Wishart plays with a high motor as he was all over the court at the Comets Expo. Wishart dove on the floor multiple times for loose balls and was extremely active on the defense making multiple plays in passing lanes. Wishart is a strong athlete that does a great job of playing off of two feet.   [player_tooltip player_id='2362566' first='Luke' last='Diem'] is a six-foot-seven-inch wing from Brainerd. Every time I watch Diem play he continues to bring more and more to his game. He's a long athlete who could have a big year for Brainerd. Last year Diem shot 43.8% from 3 for Brainerd and his shooting ability was on full display at the Comets Expo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1454849' first='Kaden' last='Braxton'] is a six-foot-two-inch guard from Shakopee. Braxton knows how to draw fouls at a high rate which allowed Braxton to take the most free-throws at the Comets Expo. Braxton is very comfortable playing both guard positions which will make the Shakopee back court of Braxton and Jalen Langley one to watch this Winter. He has the quickness to blow by defenders and size to absorb contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1284180' first='Luke' last='Graff'] is a six-foot-three-inch guard from Holy Family (formerly Champlin Park). Graff shot the ball very impressively at the Comets Expo. Graff showed an unparalleled level of confidence, consistency, and shooting touch from three. Graff has a high basketball IQ and was never out of position on defense and whenever the defense would pay too much attention to Graff shooting ability he found a cutting Wishart or Diem.   [player_tooltip player_id='1442057' first='Lake' last='De Jongh'] is a six-foot-six-inch wing from Stillwater. DeJongh is a strong and physical player that  rebounds the basketball well, runs the floor, and made open 3's at the Comets Expo. DeJongh can move his feet well which allows him to switch on the defense and guard both wings and forwards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1293972' first='Eli' last='Hoelz'] is a six-foot-one-inch guard from Brainerd. Hoelz is a three-sport standout for Brainerd, and he competes hard. Hoelz is coming off an excellent junior season for Brainerd where he averaged 15 points and 4.4 assists per game. Hoelz has range on his jumper, and he showed that ability at the Comets Expo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1287444' first='Gavin' last='Pendergast'] is a six-foot-four-inch shooting guard from South St Paul. Pendergast has ideal size for a combo guard and has great vision and passing ability (averaged 5 assists a game as Junior). Pendergast is an ideal secondary ball handler that can really expand an offense. Plays with good efficiency as he's a very good 3-point shooter as he shot 46% during this past junior season.

Ari Gooch Ari Gooch 6'1" | SG Park Center | 2024 State MN is a six-foot-one-inch guard from Park Center. Gooch uses speed to get downhill to the bucket where he is a creative scorer and an elite level dunker for his size. The ability to get by defenders, combined with his ability to score with either hand made him nearly impossible to guard at the Comets Expo. Gooch also shot the ball well from deep.