Upper Midwest Finals: Max’s Day Two Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the prospects who impressed on Saturday at the Prep Hoops Upper Midwest Finals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2362161"],"_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-6a12ea73b07d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a quiet first half, Matthew took over down the stretch to help his Fury team come away with the win over [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway']. At 6'5 he's a long and athletic wing who can play a number of spots on the floor, and showcased a smooth jumper from beyond the arc. He caught fire late in the game, hitting a handful of threes within a few minutes, while also using his length to block a shot in the final minute. Johnson is a fluid athlete who effortlessly moves his feet to defend smaller guards, and has the length to get up in passing lanes and causes issues. Plays with a calm demeanor and never looks sped up on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400734"],"_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-6a12efb913222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2026 guard out of Eagan had a huge first half for Elevate Skills in their win over [program_tooltip program_id='2076003' first='West' last='Central United'] on Saturday. He showcased a high arcing three that was barely even kissing the net as it went through at a high clip. He's not just a shooter though, as the 6' guard was getting to the basket for some crafty finishes throughout the game. His scoring spark was a big reason why Elevate Skills put up 52 points in the first half, and picked up a big win to advance in 17u play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382519"],"_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-6a12efb913289"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eston may have been the biggest impact defender I saw on Saturday. At 5'8 he's an absolute pest on the ball, with elite lateral quickness to consistently cut off opposing point guards and force them to turn back into trouble. Eston was forcing mistakes on the ball, and had the reaction time to jump lazy passes for a handful of steals throughout the game. In transition he was at his best as a facilitator making well timed passes to sprinting teammates, but showed he can also get all the way to the rim on his own. He helped seal the win going 3-4 at the free throw line in the final minute after temporarily going out with a cramp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386945"],"_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-6a12efb9132ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zak stood out in the 8am time slot on Saturday. The Prior Lake guard came out red hot from three, hitting four or five shots in the first half from beyond the arc. He's not just a shooter though, as Zak was working on the defensive end to pressure the ball hard and fight to get over screens on the perimeter. Strong frame helps him play through contact on both ends of the floor. He saw action in a handful of varsity games as a sophomore, but looks ready to step into a bigger role for Prior Lake as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2469061"],"_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-6a12efb913339"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ethan is a tough as nails guard for The Next Level Basketball Academy. One of those players who is constantly making extra effort plays for his team. Whether he was coming up with rebounds among a crowd, or diving on the floor for loose balls, it's clear that Ethan wants to win. He has some size out on the wing at 6'2, and is the type of shooter that defenders can't afford to lose track of. Knocked down a number of threes as his team pulled away in the second half to end up winning comfortably over PGA Prep Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2824857"],"_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-6a12efb913391"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2824857' first='Abraham' last='Bah'] looks like a frontcourt prospect to keep an eye on out of Blaine. He looks closer to 6'6 now, with a combination of length, mobility, and footwork that makes him tough to stop in the post. It seemed like 75% of PGA Prep Elite's points came off getting Abraham the ball on the block and letting him go to work. He's not afraid to play with some physicality, and his ability to turn over either shoulder to finish with both hands made him unpredictable. Unstoppable on the block at times. Bah also flashed the ability to go coast-to-coast for some impressive transition finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2508477"],"_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-6a12efb9133e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graeson had a pair of strong performances on Saturday, including one that helped push [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] to the final minutes. He showed quick change of direction on the ball at 6'2, allowing him to create separation with ease out on the perimeter, as well as getting into his mid-range pull-up. So dangerous out of the pick &amp; roll because he can get downhill to the rim, or thread the needle to his 6'9 big rolling to the hoop. Coming off of a 1st team all conference junior season and continuing that strong run of play into the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->