Spring Exposure Session: Max’s Best Of The Best
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Six of the top overall performers who I saw compete yesterday at the Prep Hoops Spring Exposure Session! Izayah Cook Izayah Cook 6'4" Sauk Rapids - Rice | 2027 MN HEIGHT 6'4" POS SF CLASS 2027 Izayah Cook Izayah Cook…
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Continue ReadingSix of the top overall performers who I saw compete yesterday at the Prep Hoops Spring Exposure Session!
Izayah Cook Izayah Cook 6'4" Sauk Rapids - Rice | 2027 MN
Izayah Cook Izayah Cook 6'4" Sauk Rapids - Rice | 2027 MN
Izayah backed up his status as one of the top freshmen in the state with some impressive performances on Sunday. Even at this early stage he’s a difficult matchup due to his combination of size, handle, and scoring ability. Defend him with a bigger forward and he’s just too creative off the dribble to stay in front of. Put a guard on him and Izayah has the big frame at 6’4 to get to the rim and just power his way up to score. It didn’t matter if it was in the 1v1, 3v3, or 5v5 sessions, Izayah was putting points on the board with ease.
Another standout in the 2027 class was Benett Barger Benett Barger 6’5″ | SF Chanhassen | 2027 MN out of Chanhassen. Similar to Izayah, Benett already has a lot of size on the wing, but is more than just a big body that you can throw on the block. Barger showed comfort taking a rebound and handling the ball the length of the floor, and was often able to beat smaller defenders off the dribble from the wing. He has smooth athleticism to effortlessly weave in-and-out of defenders to get to the rim and score with touch. Defensively he can already guard a number of spots due to his size and lateral mobility. Started picking up varsity minutes towards the end of the season, and scored 12 points against Bloomington Jefferson.
Highlights
Cobie might have been the top on-ball defender I saw all day. He jumped into 5v5’s and immediately changed the game with his ball pressure. Dean was speeding up opposing ball handlers and making them uncomfortable, often leading to mistakes and turnovers. Able to sit deep in in a stance and get up under guys before using his quick hands to poke the ball free. Really aggressive attacking the basket on offense, as he was able to get into the lane, force the defense to collapse, and locate his open shooters with kickout passes. Still scored a few buckets on his own, but made a huge impact outside of scoring.
Highlights
Fresh off of a 16 ppg sophomore season in which Camare helped lead Apple Valley to a 14-14 record, Camare continued his strong play into the Spring Exposure Session. He has a blend of size and skill that makes him dangerous on the wing. Young had success breaking guys down off the dribble and then using his frame to keep the defender pinned on his hip as he got to the rim to finish. Has excellent touch to extend and finish away from his body with either hand, and that touch also extends to beyond the arc where he’s a solid shooter. Showed an extra level of athleticism I didn’t know he possessed when he threw down a dunk over the top of a 6’10 defender.
Isiah Ayala Isiah Ayala 6'6" | SF Minnesota Prep | 2025 MN
Isiah Ayala Isiah Ayala 6'6" | SF Minnesota Prep | 2025 MN
Not sure there was a more explosive player in attendance than Isiah Ayala Isiah Ayala 6’6″ | SF Minnesota Prep | 2025 MN . The 2025 prospect is as long as they come on the wing, and can take flight when he gets a clear lane to the rim. Showed an improved three point shot, and with that he was able to get a defender in the air with a shot fake before driving by for an explosive two hand slam over the top of another defender. Ayala did a nice job of picking his moments to attack the basket and used his length to extend and finish with the left hand from a variety of angles.
There was a stretch during the second game of the day where Marcus just refused to miss a shot. The opposing coach was telling guys to face guard him and rotated through multiple guys to try to slow him down, but Marcus just kept putting points on the board. He showcased a lethal hesitation move to just freeze his defender in place, and from there he could blow by to the basket or step-back into a three point shot. His quick release makes it even more difficult to contest when he looks to fire from three. Averaged 18.5 ppg this past winter including 43 in a win over Chanhassen.