Max’s Weekly Minnesota Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven prospects who stood out in the games I watched on Thursday and Friday this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-69a2ffaff1d07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Champlin Park didn't have an answer for [player_tooltip player_id='2845973' first='Jack' last='Burke'] in the first half on Thursday night as the Bethel commit would put up 20 of his 26 points in the opening half. Burke showed range that extended to well beyond the arc, the footwork to stop and create finishing angles off two feet around the rim, and even some wiggle on the ball to create his own shots off the dribble. You won't find too many shooters better than Jack in the 2026 class, and despite some extra attention from the opposing defense, still found ways to get quality looks throughout the game and lead his team to a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126450"],"_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-69a2ffaff1d84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best pure scorers in the state's 2027 class, Gavin plays with impressive change of speed on the ball and just has a nice feel for the game. He's not going to blow you away with elite quickness or a flashy handle, but he just found ways to maneuver his way to the rim and finish through traffic. Really nice footwork combined with the touch to finish high off the class in the lane. Hit outside shot wasn't falling at his typical rate, but he still finished with a team high 22 points on the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3042595"],"_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-69a2ffaff1dd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jermaine put on a show on Thursday night against Hiawatha. It's rare to see any player throw down four dunks in a single game, let alone a guard, but that's exactly what Jermaine did. A big part of that came from his off-ball instincts defensively where he can jump passing lanes like a free safety to pick up steals in bunches, and from there you're not going to catch him from behind. Also showcased that explosive athleticism with a big time chase-down block where he sent the shot flying out to the sideline. In the half-court he hit a couple of pull-up jumpers, and was able to get into the lane for a few dump-off assists to his teammates in a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2121334"],"_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-69a2ffaff1e19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryker was all over the floor making plays on Friday night in a win over Shakopee. Offensively he never seems to stop moving off the ball, scoring in transition, off of backdoor cuts, and from offensive rebounds. He's such a skilled cutter, and unlike some players, cuts with a purpose expecting to get the ball every time. Despite finishing with 23 points, he may have been even better on the defensive end. Ryker was defending Shakopee's top scorer, and was preventing him from even touching the ball on a lot of possessions. Ryker also came up with three blocks around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560811"],"_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-69a2ffaff1e60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Collin is one of the best passers that I've seen all season in Minnesota. The 2026 point guard seems to know where everyone is on the floor at all times, and if a teammate got open for even a second, Collin was going to find them with a well-timed and accurate pass. When going back through my footage, it seemed like almost every [player_tooltip player_id='2121334' first='Ryker' last='Sanders'] bucket was coming off a [player_tooltip player_id='1560811' first='Collin' last='Johnson'] assist. Not only does he see the floor well, but at 6'3-6'4 his height allows him to zip passes over the top of the defense in a way that smaller guards can't. Scored 14 points in the win while racking up a bunch of assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126458"],"_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-69a2ffaff1ea6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lakeville South did a great job of limiting Luke's touches throughout the game, but he still showcased that shooting touch that makes him so dangerous. Luke hit a pair of threes, knocked down a tough pull-up jumper from mid-range, and got to the rim for a handful of finishes on his way to 22 points. Luke has always been a great three point shooter, but one thing that stuck out last night was the improved elevation he's getting on his jumper. Particularly on that mid-range shot we saw Luke get to his spot and rise up to shoot over length. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352576"],"_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-69a2ffaff1eec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Outside of [player_tooltip player_id='2126450' first='Gavin' last='Walter'], Moussa was the only Champlin Park player able to get much going on Thursday night. The sophomore guard is so fast on the ball, and changes directions quickly to leave defenders in his dust on the way to the rim. Moussa is a right handed shooter, but catches defenders off guard as he almost seems more comfortable finishing with his left around the basket. Has that explosiveness to just hang in the air and finish with either hand in traffic. Defensively he was an absolute pest on the ball, pressuring opposing guards the length of the floor with a battery that never seemed to run low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->