One City Holiday Classic: Max’s Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the prospects who stood out in the games I saw across two days at the One City Holiday Classic!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2486899"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0cff6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanders helped lead North to a big win over Two Rivers on Monday, mixing in some explosive takes to the basket with a few mid-range jumpers on his way to a big scoring game. Sanders has a strong and compact frame that makes him difficult to stop when he gets into the paint, because his strength allows him to battle through contact and maintain his balance to finish at a high percentage. Has such a quick first step to blow by guys, and also utilizes his speed defensively to pressure the ball and force mistakes from opposing guards. Finished with 28 points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2436914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d05e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new name to know at Minnehaha Academy this season, Kellen has a very projectable frame with some athleticism to match. I remember seeing him briefly playing JV last season, and since then he looks to have grown a bit while also becoming more coordinated and agile in his long, 6'6 frame. Minnehaha played with a pretty big lineup as they started two 6'5 players alongside Kellen, so he was often out on the wing. Showed a smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter, used his length to contest around the basket, and showed some athleticism out in the open floor. One to watch in the long term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Julian Manjo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Columbia Heights","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d104"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Julian helped lead Columbia Heights to a win over Minneapolis Camden behind a 27 point scoring performance. The 5'11 guard displayed an explosive burst to get out in the open floor and just fly to the rim for some acrobatic finishes, including a couple of and-ones to get his team fired up. When Heights needed a bucket, the ball typically went to Manjo, as he has a nose for the rim and had a lot of success beating his man off the dribble to create scoring opportunities for himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2420169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d17f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going from playing JV as a freshman, to being a key contributor for a team in the conversation for best in the state, Ahmed has been on a constant rise as a prospect over the past few months. Against Minnehaha Academy on Saturday, he showcased his ability to impact a game on both ends of the floor with his combination of length and skill. Defensively his length around the rim is huge as he came up with 3 blocks, while also showing he can move his feet out on the perimeter with smaller wings and forwards. Not only was his 18 points against Minnehaha the 2nd highest tally of his career, but he scored it with extreme efficiency. Ahmed shot 7-9 overall and was 4-5 from three point range, showcasing one of the smoothest shooting strokes you'll find in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2175472"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d1c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a loss to Hopkins in the semi-finals, Noah helped power the Redhawks to a convincing win over South St. Paul in the 3rd place game. I really liked how active he was defensively, pressuring the ball, fighting through screens, and showing good instincts to jump passing lanes and pick up easy steals. Racked up 5 steals throughout the game, helping his team pick up some easy buckets in the open floor. Three point shooting threat who does a great job of quickly getting his feet squared and ready to shoot as soon as the ball comes his way. Scored a team high 17 points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d20e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite missing a chunk of time in foul trouble in the second half, Marcus racked up 26 points in a win over Two Rivers. Right from the jump Marcus was lighting it up from deep, knocking down a pair of quick threes, showcasing range that extends to just about anywhere within the half-court. So quick getting his shot off, meaning he just needs a couple feet of space to shoot over a contesting defender. One of those players who's nearly impossible to stop when he gets into a rhythm because of his ability to effortlessly create space and hit shots from anywhere. Quickness allows him to pressure the ball hard defensively, although at times he can get into foul trouble as he likes to take chances to go for steals and get out in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6775aa0e0d254"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anthony has done a great job of improving his efficiency as a senior. Not only has he been putting up big scoring numbers (26.6 ppg), but he's doing so on impressive shooting percentages. Anthony is shooting 64% overall from the field, as he's put on some muscle and has been attacking the basket a lot more this season. Against Breck he found a lot of success getting into the paint and bullying his way to the bucket to finish. Also has that shiftiness that allows him to make guys miss in the lane leading to wide open lay-ups. He also played a key role in the high pressure Hopkins defense that was forcing constant turnovers out of Breck, leading to a handful of transition finishes. Shot 13-16 on his way to 32 points in the title game after putting up 30 on 12-16 shooting in the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->