The Tune Up: Wednesday’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who played the highest level of basketball on Wednesday at the Tune Up when some of the state's best players competed? We break it down for you now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560499"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6b6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minnesota has been waiting for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] vs Hoop Habits game all 16u season and in the biggest game of the 16u season, D1 won handily 75-54. And in that big game, KJ Wilson took complete control on both ends of the floor right from the start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson has been named All State as both a Freshman and a Sophomore at Tartan and the player of the year in his class both of those seasons. And this weekend everything he did to get [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] two more wins in convincing fashion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What separated Wilson from everybody?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know KJ can hit threes, we know he can dribble separate to make shots, and we know he can take games over in scoring bunches. That said, when KJ mixes that scoring with outstanding ball movement (seven assists in the Hoop Habits win), with great defense (Hoop Habits guards struggled greatly in this game) and vocal leadership possession by possession, you have the player that Wisconsin added and Minnesota just had on campus for a visit. Throw in eight rebounds and when we get this all around play from Wilson, he is one of the nation's elite guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126102"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6c1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you step on the floor as an opponent of [player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean'] you know what you have to do, the question is, can you do it?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] played Real Phenom I'm pretty sure the Phenom guards knew they had to locate Jaeden quickly each possession, they just couldn't, or they just didn't. And the end result was a 30 point game for Jaeden making 11 of 20 attempts including six threes. Phenom was able to catch deep and quickly release, and when Phenom didn't find him quickly in possessions Udean found quick strikes to the rim releasing to finish before the help found him. Udean also had a game on Thursday where he made six triples in one half and he scored 18 points in the loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] (four threes made). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2119592"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6c92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] beat Real Phenom in a wide open 78-77 contest and Udean was big, but [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] needed the contributions of JoJo as well to get the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is an active 6'6 forward that runs well and defends with eligibility. Smith is a perfect fit with all the [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] guards (or Hopkins guards for that matter) because he rim runs, defends and boards. Smith did those things this weekend totaling 16 points and seven boards making seven of eleven attempts. Impressed with what Smith did to get the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524689"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6d00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus can score the basketball better than the vast majority of players in the state of Minnesota. If you are a high school basketball fan in this state you know that: MCA, Minneapolis North or Real Phenom, the facts are very clear. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What we really needed to come here to tell you was that Marshall did two things that really caught my eye in the game with [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite']: 1) he had a high flying lob dunk finish that will forever stick in the mind. When you have been watching hoops for 40 years only some dunks stick in the head for good and this one surely will, just incredible bounce with a physical finish, and 2) the ball pressuring defense that I saw from Marshall in this game was even more eye opening than the dunk. Marcus was very disruptive in this role and the more he does it, the more colleges are going to be interested in that two way potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marcus 19 points for Phenom on 7 of 13 shooting in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2388674"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6d70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During the 15u season we saw Jonas as an all around scoring threat with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury']. He hit jumpers, attacked to score, dribble separated and everything else. It gave us a glimpse to what Jonas can do potential wise as a 6'6/6'7 wing/forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonas was then a reserve for DeLaSalle who finished second in state, and a key player now for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 16u. We have recently seen Jonas play with the Falcons, DeLaSalle, in the MBCA, and with D1 in the month of June and in every single showing. Regardless of the team, we saw Jonas go at the rim to score physically for five to seven paint buckets a game, and we've seen him rebound in good numbers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you put all of these items together, Jonas continues to show everybody that he is a top ten prospect in his class with a variety of abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2436914"],"_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-6a4a99e0c6de8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Troup earned an offer from the Air Force recently and when it comes to deserving options I think Kellen receiving this offer ranks with the best. Troup won a state title as the top player on his team as a junior and he's been a solid player for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] all spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellen had a 17 point, six rebound game in the [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 21-point win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] and he was the first player to make a big impact in that game. Troup had two early threes, he scored inside twice, and he had five boards most of which were defensive boards ending possessions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troup can be a face-up four with his perimeter touch and agility, but he can also do things around the basket as a rebounding and finishing four man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->