NHR State Tournament: Max’s Sunday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on championship Sunday at the NHR State Tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400080"],"_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-683dde2a4c0ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There wasn't much defenders could do to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='2400080' first='Nolan' last='Greene'] on Sunday. The 6'5 forward has the combination of size, strength, footwork, and basketball IQ that made him so tough to stop at the 15u level. If he caught on the block he showed the patience and footwork to create good angles to score, able to turn over either shoulder to finish inside. Defend him with size though and Nolan can step out beyond the arc to hit threes, or take you off the dribble from the wing. He plays at his own pace, never looking sped up no matter what the defense throws at him. Nolan played a key role in helping lead [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] to the 15u title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560827"],"_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-683dde2a4c151"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh off of announcing his commitment to Southwest Minnesota State, Kale played a key role in helping lead Comets Elite to the 17u title. Averaging 15.5 ppg across the semi's and finals, Kale was tough to stop when he turned the corner and got downhill. He comes off screens so quickly, and gets to the rim before the defense has a chance to react. Had some nice passes setting up his shooters out of pick &amp; pop situations, able to dish an accurate pass while on the move from tough angles. The 2026 guard from small town Henning showed he knows how to deliver in big games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2136339"],"_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-683dde2a4c1cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shots were falling all day long for [player_tooltip player_id='2136339' first='Adryan' last='Miller']. Physically he has an intriguing set of tools to work with, as he has a long and mobile frame out on the wing at 6'5. He's a threat to pull-up from three or mid-range, and with his high release point, opposing wings had a difficult time contesting him. Adryan did a nice job of staying active off the ball and working to find pockets of space to catch and shoot. He finished with 19 points in the semi-finals followed up by 15 in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2544137"],"_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-683dde2a4c242"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2028 guard was coming up with steals in bunches on Sunday morning. Matched up against the #1 ranked freshman in North Dakota, Acaurii showed he can hold his own with high level players. To start off the game Acaurii ripped his man for a steal, threw down a transition dunk, and then went and did the same thing again for another steal and dunk! At 6'3 he has a long frame, with the agility needed to move his feet to guard the 1-3 spots. He was sitting deep in a stance, and showed great timing to reach in with that long frame for steals which led to easy buckets on the other end. Offensively he has a nose for the rim with the athleticism to hang in the air for some acrobatic finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126145"],"_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-683dde2a4c2b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waleed was all over the floor coming up with plays in the championship game for [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select']. His speed on defense was key, as he was pressuring the ball hard, double teaming guards to force mistakes, and jumping passing lanes for steals. Once out in the open floor no one was catching him, and his ability to get high percentage looks at the rim saw him shoot 9-10 from the floor. Waleed did a great job of drawing contact inside as well, and was a constant presence at the free throw line. He could be in for a breakout junior season at Breck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1975416"],"_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-683dde2a4c338"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khaliq showed why he's the #1 ranked prospect in North Dakota's 2028 class with some explosive scoring performances on Sunday. At 6'4 he's an impressive athlete as a freshman, able to hang in the air for acrobatic finishes or throw down dunks in transition. Against [program_tooltip program_id='2859102' first='Hoop' last='Habits Elite'] he showed quick hands defensively to poke the ball free for a few steals, and was automatic as a finisher in transition. He's capable of creating his own shot just about any time he wants to, and connected on a handful of threes in both games I watched. High ceiling player who's already producing at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2417305"],"_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-683dde2a4c3ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Romeo is one of the most athletic players in the state's 2028 class. In an entertaining matchup with Team FSA, the 6'1 guard took flight for an off-the-backboard alley-oop dunk in transition. Defensively he's tough as nails, pressuring the ball hard, fighting to get over screens, and battling when matched up with taller players. He just has a nose for the rim offensively, and with his body control he's able to find ways to finish against size. His performance at NHR State makes back-to-back weekends where Romeo has impressed in games I've watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->