The 2024-25 Minnesota HS Basketball Awards Favorites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are my top three candidates for the top awards in Minnesota High school hoops this year? I give you a top three!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Note</em>: This is me picking awards based on the level of player these kids are AND the opportunity I think they will have based on the team they have. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freshman of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Kevin Wilson of Tartan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Daniel Zoa of Totino-Grace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='2560534' first='Tre' last='Moore'] of Hopkins and [player_tooltip player_id='2559428' first='Taaj' last='Whitlock'] of DeLaSalle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: This will always depend on opportunity and with freshmen it's not easy to know their opportunity. I think based on how much he has already played varsity basketball for a good team getting solid numbers in Class AAAA, Wilson might have the best chance. Zoa has the best number of any frosh coming in but he goes from Class A to the defending state AAA champs. They will likely need Zoa to help as a forward some. Moore played last year and I really like how he plays and Whitlock is already getting good varsity tick in the jamborees. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophomore of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='2126094' first='Ty' last='Schlagel'] of Cretin-Derham Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='2126467' first='Baboucarr' last='Ann'] of Maple Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='2126117' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] of Totino-Grace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: When it comes to a class of players, I think this sophomore group should be held in very high regard and it's the way they play. I really like the toughness and the way Hill plays, Ann is like the Isaac Asuma of wings, and Schlagel has such a great feel with his level of skill. Matured group of players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Junior of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] of Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1560867' first='Christian' last='Wiggins'] of Wayzat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1560882' first='Cedric' last='Tomes'] of East Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: I go with all guards here that we preseason first team all State. Moore and Tomes are going to have the ball at all times for top ten teams and Wiggins will do a ton for his team as well. I give Moore the slight edge not just because he is very good but I also think his playmaking is going to lead to some huge numbers this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] of Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1560867' first='Christian' last='Wiggins'] of Wayzata</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] of CDH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: One key item, I think Hopkins is going to be deeper and bigger than last year and that is going to help a ton. They were one of the elite Class AAAA teams last year and they have just about everything back with Moore leading the way. I think Jayden is in a great position to clean up awards wise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outstate Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] of Alexandria</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1437303' first='Brogan' last='Madson'] of Mankato East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1574216' first='Azayah' last='Washington'] of St. Cloud Apollo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: Washington will give the numbers, Madson will get his team back to state and make a push, but I think Clemson signed [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] is the very clear favorite for this award. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] of Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] of Alexandria</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1560867' first='Christian' last='Wiggins'] of Wayzata</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: I think these three players have the best combination of team, individual talent, and individual opportunity in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mr. Basketball</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] of Alexandra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] of Cretin-Derham Hall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] of Orono or [player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'] of BSM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought: Thompson comes in at one as he looks to get his team to the state tournament yet again and make a push for the final four/State final game again. Ahneman is a bit of an outsider having just moved here so we proceed with a tiny bit of a caution not knowing as much about him although he is on a state contender and a nationally ranked player. Groves and Wilson I think are set for monster seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->