Twin Cities Senior Expo: Wing/Post Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the bigger wings and post prospects who impressed in the games I watched on Monday night at the Twin Cities Senior Expo!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381222"],"_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-67e44a65ee23d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best available bigs in the 2025 class, Deng turned some heads with a solid performance in the state quarterfinals. He has a strong frame and 7'2 wing span that allows him to finish over size with ease, as he can effortlessly get up for dunks or tip-ins. In a guard heavy event there weren't a lot of chances for him to go to work on the block, and when he did get touches he was typically swarmed by extra defenders, but he still showed some of his next level potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2422069"],"_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-67e44a65ee29e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Angok is one of the more intriguing frontcourt prospects in the 2025 class. He's one of those players that can impact a game without scoring, as he has the vision and length to deliver accurate passes to his cutting teammates out of the post, can get up for rebounds, and is comfortable moving his feet when switched on a smaller player. Showcased comfort knocking down jumpers from mid-range or three, with a high release allowing him to score over size closer to the basket. Has the athleticism to run the floor for transition buckets, and quickly get up to contest/block shots inside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617769"],"_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-67e44a65ee2e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khalid showcased his ability to step out beyond the arc and make defenders pay for giving him too much space. In the roughly 20 minutes of running clock time I saw Khalid play in, he stepped out for three triples, powering his way to the rim for a finish inside. Has some strength and footwork to go to work when isolated on the block. He'll be running with [program_tooltip program_id='2422572' first='D1' last='Minnesota Gold'] this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595734"],"_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-67e44a65ee323"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I only got to see JJ briefly during the "crunch time" portion of the event, but even in those limited minutes he showed why he's one of the best players still on the board in the 2025 class. He just plays with a different level of composure, never seeming to get fazed by anything the defense throws at him. He can score from all three levels, changes speed well to make him unpredictable, and isn't afraid to pass up on a good look to get an even better shot for a teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2447759"],"_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-67e44a65ee361"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan had some nice moments off the bench when I saw him against Champlin Park during the winter, and he carried that play over to Monday night. He won't stand out with flashy plays off the dribble or highlight dunks inside, but he understands who he is as a player, and produces with efficiency. At 6'9 he was running the floor hard and competing on the glass, and that effort led to a handful of easy looks right at the rim. He has soft touch around the basket and doesn't seem to get fazed by shot blockers inside. Still a bit of a project as he continues to add strength and work on his half-court game, but he has the length+mobility to continue developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2445213"],"_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-67e44a65ee3a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In two years since coming to St. Croix Lutheran via Italy, Riccardo eclipsed 1,000 points, broke a school record with 41 points in a game, and was just named conference player of the year. On Monday night he was one of the most productive players in attendance, showing his ability to knock down threes off the catch, power his way to the rim, and finish explosively in the open floor. He does a nice job of playing off of two feet inside, which allows him to finish balanced, and really utilize his strength against smaller players. Riccardo doesn't force his game, and instead finds ways to score within the flow of the offense, keeping the ball moving when a shot isn't there. Smart player who possesses size, skill, strength, and basketball IQ.</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":"Cleo Mulfinger","_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":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Louis Park","_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-67e44a65ee443"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cleo had some nice moment on both ends of the floor in the game I watched. Defensively he did a nice job of fighting for low-post position, and making it difficult for the opposing team to feed the 6'11 big he was guarding. As soon as shots went up he was initiating contact to box out. Offensively he showed soft touch around the basket, and can finish from a variety of angles in traffic. Didn't show it in the game I watched, but after seeing him in the season, he's also capable of stepping out and hitting the open three when given too much space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->