#PHTwinCitiesTakedown: High Level Stock Risers

What players do I think have taken their winter stock and pushed it to a higher level in late April? Here are the names that I saw that come to mind for this highly important category.

Kaidan Chatham Kaidan Chatham 6'3" | PG Evanston | 2025 State IL of Powerhouse Sports (Niles North IL, 6’2 Guard). If I was to say it in one phrase it would be…. Kaiden played as hard as anybody and did more for his team than any player I saw. But we work in paragraphs and not single sentences so we have to talk about the 25 points on 9 of 13 shooting (8 of 9 at the foul line), nine rebound, six assist, and two dive for loose balls earned late in the game that beat Real Phenom. Chatham got the rebound on his only missed free throw of the game! And with the game on the line and two opponents bending over, Chatham dove between the two of those players to get the ball for his team! He came at his opponents with a constant downhill run with a touched in make that was either a blow by to the angle or a tough make over contesting arms. Between the heart and the results Chatham was one of my favorite players to watch at the Takedown.

Andrew Jensen of All Wisconsin 16s (Kaukauna WI, 6’9 Pf). Jensen combines the best of the old school four man with the new age power forward and he does it in a way that consistently produces numbers. His consistency and effort is what makes him one of my favorite prospects in this class. He has that old school rim running, hard effort rebounding, physical back to the basket game where he takes what his size will give him. But Andrew can also face up and touch in shots and score in explosive ways because he is so agile at his 6’9 220 pound since. And Jensen seems to do it in a “get back on defense for the next play” way that coaches love. If I am a high major school who is willing to look at a high school four man, I would look at Andrew Jensen.

Ryan Kreager Ryan Kreager 6'10" | C Faribault | 2026 State MN of D1 Minnesota 16s (Faribault MN, 6’10 Big). Late last July I saw Ryan play in Denver and I thought, in about 18 to 24 months, he might have a chance if he continues to grow and develop. A half a year later his team made a massive jump, Ryan was all conference, Eric Bossi from 247 is telling me how impressive Ryan was earlier this month and this weekend we saw Ryan play like a nationally ranked level big. It reminds me of when Jared Berggren made a fast jump from Princeton years back albeit different players. Kreager wouldn’t let a UMD signed player get a shot off in a game. His quick jump, outstanding timing, and length had eight blocks on that one player in one half. Ryan runs well, he’s got good coordination, he’s really grown well into his frame and there is agility there that did not look to be there last summer. Not to mention Ryan produces and he’s the back line of defense of what might be the toughest AAU team to score on in the state. Keep an eye on Ryan, he’s about to rise up the national rankings.

Brogan Madson Brogan Madson 6'1" | PG Mankato East | 2025 State MN of Minnesota Select (Mankato East MN, 6’0 Pg). If you saw what Brogan did to the D1 Minnesota guards trying to defend him, you instantly had him in the category of a guy you should consider for your team. Madson’s aggressive, skilled attack with that combination of leverage and quick first step was not stopped by D1 Minnesota the entire game. Brogan had 32 points on 12 of 14 shooting with four assists and 7 of 8 foul shooting. And the guy he was against did nothing against Brogan the other way. An individual game of the year candidate regardless of the final result.

Miles Newton Miles Newton 6'5" | SF Breck | 2025 State MN of Real Phenom (Breck MN, 6’5 Sf). First of all, Newton looks like he has lived in the weight room every day since the state tournament. The amount of bulk he’s put on reminds me of when a boxer or UCF fighter completely transforms themselves in four weeks time for a fight. Newton used that size to board and to finish around the rim constantly. Real Phenom did not play well as a team in the two games I saw BUT, Newton shot 14 of 21 in those two games for a combined total of 36 points. Not only did he finish around the rim at a high level but Newton’s perimeter attempts and foul shooting looked very good as well. Throw in 13 rebounds combined in my two viewings and it was an important showing.

Tyler Wagner Tyler Wagner 6'6" | SF Champlin Park | 2025 State #366 Nation MN of D1 Minnesota (Totino-Grace MN, 6’6 Sf). Tyler has been a scorching hot hand for D1 Minnesota this entire month and he had a hot hand in his team’s three games this past weekend. At 6’6 with some confidence and attitude to him, Wagner has the size, form and percentages that schools are looking for. But I also think he has a fight to him which gives him an edge to similar type of prospects. Not to mention his teams almost always win. Had a 20 point game with four threes on 8 of 13 shooting against the Lightning on Sunday.