War For The North: Frontcourt Standouts
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Seven of the big men who impressed in the games I watched at the Prep Hoops Next War For The North! David Addai HEIGHT 6'4" POS SF CLASS 2028 View Profile David Addai Instagram State: Minnesota Club: FSA Team FSA…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the big men who impressed in the games I watched at the Prep Hoops Next War For The North!
Team FSA had a handful of players who showed flashes of long-term potential, with David being one of them. He has a long and wiry frame at 6’4, and is already showing some fluid mobility that makes him more than just a paint presence. Throughout the weekend David was a strong rebounder, hustled to run rim-to-rim, and made plays with his length by getting up in passing lanes and altering shots around the rim. Intriguing prospect with plenty of time to continue developing.
Highlights
Not sure there was a better shot blocker in the entire event than Ose. At 6’5 he’s an imposing figure around the rim, combining a long frame with solid agility and quickness off the floor. Whether he was stepping in from help-side position or sprinting back on defense, Ose was keeping points off the board with his shot blocking/altering ability. At the 14u level you don’t often see guys listed at 6’5, let alone ones who can move in the way that Ose can. Very high potential from the 2028 out of Canada.
Kyle Kyle Dalum | 2028 MN Dalum
Kyle Kyle Dalum | 2028 MN Dalum
MN Hoop Troop were one of the top 14u teams in the event, and Kyle Kyle Dalum | 2028 MN was one of their key players inside. At 6’3 he offered plenty of size inside which allowed him to contribute as a rebounder and scrappy finisher inside. Did the bulk of his scoring from dump-off passes or off of offensive boards, but also stretched the floor with a three in one of the games I saw. Solid mobility allowed him to run the floor rim-to-rim and also slide his feet on the perimeter to defend against pick & rolls.
Malik Martin
Malik Martin
Not sure there was a more dominant player at the 13u level over the weekend. Malik is an imposing presence with his size, strength, and coordination around the basket. Already able to move well to get up and down the floor, handle the ball in transition, and score with his back to the basket. His footwork looks to be developing on the block as he displayed a quick spin move to get to his left hand, and he was also comfortable sliding into spots off the ball to make plays as a shot blocker. When Malik caught the ball anywhere near the rim, there wasn’t much defenders could do to stop him from putting points on the board.
At 6’3, Ashton was a scrappy player inside for the Owatonna Huskies. Wasn’t doing anything overly flashy, but just went out and worked hard on both ends. He was running the floor hard looking for any opportunity to score in transition, and was fighting for position to pull in rebounds. Has no problem just doing the dirty work in the paint and competing for any missed shot that comes off the rim.
Highlights
Blake was one of the top overall players I saw over the weekend. At 6’2 he had a strong frame with some size inside, but also possessed a versatile skillset that allowed him to contribute just about anywhere on the floor. He delivered a couple of deep outlet passes off of defensive boards that would make Kevin Love proud, and was also displaying impressive vision out of the high post to find teammates cutting to the rim. When scoring on his own he could attack from the wing, or use his strength to get deep post position before finishing with his left hand. Swiss army knife type of forward who can go out and contribute in a number of ways.
Highlights
I really liked how Isaac went out and competed against a 204 Elite team that was loaded with size and length. One thing that stands out about Isaac is how good his hands are. Multiple times the ball was zipped into him in a crowd of defenders, and Isaac had no problem catching and maintaining possession with arms sweeping in around him. If he had a bit of space he was able to go up with it, or locate an open teammate back out on the perimeter. Gets up and down the floor at 6’2 as well. Was matched up against a 6’5 big and did a nice job of battling for position and limiting the looks he was able to get around the basket.