MBCA Showcase: Friday Observations, Day 2 look-ahead

<p>Friday night at the MBCA Showcase, I keyed in on the athletic traits of the Minnesota guard and wing prospects, while also picking up on as much of everything else I could.</p>   <p>I was also keeping a close eye on the South Dakota prospects and how they looked and responded to this higher level of play that they may have never been exposed to before. Everyone that took the court at the MBCA could play.</p>   <p>Saturday, when the 5-on-5 starts, I want to see what these tall and long Minnesota prospects are all about. I clearly noticed them Friday night, but I want to give them an extended look so I can give out my projection on them and what my outlook is on them, doing so with limited outside research or noise.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Minnesota length I need to observe on Saturday </h2>   <p>#2 2027 6'10” [player_tooltip player_id='2126446' first='Mustafa' last='Mohamed'] - Nike Elite 100 </p>   <p>#3 2028 6'7” [player_tooltip player_id='2557528' first='Ichima' last='Idoko']</p>   <p>6'9” 2026 Stephen McGee</p>   <p>6'9” 2027 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2420169' first='Ahmed' last='Nur'] </p>   <p>6'8” 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2126126' first='Ray' last='Brau'] </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday night observations and Day 2 anticipation </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Collins was my favorite performer that I hadn't yet seen live prior to the MBCA. He's got a controlled athleticism that he strategically uses when it's nearing time to make an impact play. He's not twitchy and flying around ammlessly. He uses his big vertical when it's needed most. At the MBCA, he was methodically scoring and getting close to the hoop to score.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/prephoops/status/1916160432571642272?s=61 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Blake obviously has noticeable length at the South Dakota high school level, and his length popped more than I thought it would at the MBCA. He showed a spectacle to some major D1 programs with his length and gazelle-like vista on the court.</p>   <p>Day 2, Blake needs to go at the ever-confident Minnesota boys that own their turf. Get downhill early, then proceed to operate in the middle and from the catch-and-shoot three and rhythm pull-up threes. I think if Blake erases any offensive hesitation, he will show what needs to be shown.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">There's no one more prepared mentally for the MBCA Showcase than Schlagel. He's been at well-known national invite camps that have prepared him for the competition the MBCA will show him. I'd imagine that Schlagel came in with limited nerves and an ease of confidence. I did see him Friday, but no insight until I see the full picture after Saturday.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Udean is a lefty shot-maker that was playing with a bunch of confidence. He has an uncanny ability to create space with his dribble and step-back. He could get his shot when he pleased, and he was one of the top self-creating scorers.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I thought Felberg exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect him to play poorly, but I was a little unsure as to how he would respond to the competition. He wasn't just out there moving the ball around and getting cardio from running the court. He was making an impact on the boards, scoring at the rim, and he was hitting shots at all levels. I think this gives him some good confidence to go in and dominate at Clark/Willow Lake in his Sophomore season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Chatman is a gifted scorer that is athletic enough to get to his spot and create space with a knockdown fall-away jumper. Not a quick-twitch dude, but not weak athletically, either.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/freshcoasthoops/status/1881009778211823823?s=46u0026amp;t=SEhj4b0vN7ZkDxMDlm1_Uw </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Walter has been a name I've known for the better part of three years. He's known to be a hooper, but his overall offensive development has taken strides when I remember him being strictly a lengthy catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter as an eighth-grader. He has some shake and is shifty, with knockdown shooting traits.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Frelix is smooth, comfortable, and confident with the ball in possession. He got a series of deep shoots to fall Friday night. A natural shooter that needs to get that extra gear to get more paint touches.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/freshcoasthoops/status/1927812368731418745?s=61 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Yusuf was noticeably on a high level of play Friday night. Elite quickness and shiftiness accompanied with a quick and mistake-free handle that made him tough to contain with one defender. Made shots consistently and put forth a great showing.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players I need to watch on Saturday </h2>   <p>#1 Minnesota 2027 point guard (#3 overall) [player_tooltip player_id='2126117' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] </p>   <p>#1 Minnesota 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2560499' first='Kevin' last='Wilson Jr.']</p>   <p>#1 South Dakota 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2128940' first='Brant' last='Wassenaar'] </p>   <p>#1 North Dakota 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1657448' first='Gibson' last='Kinnebrew']</p>   <p>#9 Minnesota 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2394170' first='Alex' last='Loos'] - I've seen a lot of Loos in the past few years, so I want to see his development.</p>

Friday night at the MBCA Showcase, I keyed in on the athletic traits of the Minnesota guard and wing prospects, while also picking up on as much of everything else I could.