NHR State Tournament: Max’s Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Saturday at the NHR State Tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560835"],"_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-683c4231b6f42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tian got Team FSA going on Saturday morning, defending a number of spots, hitting some tough pull-up jumpers, and getting to the rim in a number of ways. The 6'5 guard finished with a 20+ point scoring performance, showcasing his ability to create separation off the dribble with ease. He can create space for a jumper just about any time he wants to, making him difficult to stop when he gets into a rhythm. Capped things off with a transition dunk in an 8am win over Minnesota Lightning.</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-683c4231b6f99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khalid had a strong showing on Saturday morning for [program_tooltip program_id='2422572' first='D1' last='Minnesota Gold']. He was a physical presence in the paint, able to go to work catching on the block. Khalid showed an impressive blend of footwork, strength, and touch of the glass to score nearly every time he caught in isolation on the block. Stays patient and does a nice job of gathering his balance to go up to finish, helping him score with efficiency. Was a threat in the pick &amp; roll as well, as he sets hard screens to free up his guards, and has good hands catching in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1956268"],"_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-683c4231b6fe4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shay impressed on Saturday night in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2859102' first='Hoop' last='Habits Elite']. Although he may not have the varsity pedigree yet playing for a loaded Totino-Grace team, Shay showed he can stick with some of the best guards in his class. Lightning quick laterally, Shay reminds me a lot of DeLaSalle's De'von Irvin with how he pressures the ball and competes on the defensive end. He's an energy guy who's going to lead by example with his effort, while also being a vocal player. Offensively he can stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper, and is dangerous pulling up from mid-range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2406622"],"_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-683c4231b702b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caleb is one of a handful of Wisconsin prospects playing in this event, running with [program_tooltip program_id='2209335' first='Border' last='Select Basketball']. I saw him in a matchup with [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'], where he got going early with a driving dunk along the baseline. At 6'4+ he has a blend of size, strength, and explosive athleticism out on the wing. Throughout the game he started to heat up from three, and connected on a few shots with a hand right in his face. Confident player who scored 17 points per game last winter for Osceola. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2083266"],"_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-683c4231b7071"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For the second straight weekend I saw Jack put in a lights out shooting performance for [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] team. There was a period in the game where he just didn't seem capable of missing, connecting on shot after shot from beyond the arc. He's one of the best pure shooters in the state's 2026 class, capable of catching fire at any given moment. Has solid positional size on the perimeter at 6'3 as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560851"],"_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-683c4231b70b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamze was blowing by defenders last night in a win for Hoop Habits 17u. The Eden Prairie guard is one of the fastest players in the state's 2026 class, able to freeze defenders with a hesitation move before exploding past them to get to the rim. Can finish high off the glass to score over size, or can go right at the rim. Effortlessly weaves through defenders to get into dangerous areas, where he can then locate an open teammate as the defense collapses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895712"],"_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-683c5dfd223c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daniel had some impressive moments playing up two age groups at the 17u level this weekend. The 6'5 freshman has wide shoulders, with long arms and big hands that help him play much bigger than his 6'5 height. Spending time defending 6'6 and 6'10 players, Daniel did a great job of walling up to contest inside, able to take contact to the chest and remain straight up. He can high point rebounds to secure them in traffic, and has a quick second bounce to go right back up with offensive boards. Stepped in from the dunker spot for an explosive two handed dunk in the first half for [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->