The Freshmen Showcase All Event Team

We give you the best of the best from the Freshmen Showcase last weekend at Hopkins High School.   FIRST TEAM    The Park Center guard made a serious "you were right the first time, [player_tooltip player_id='2847647' first='Paris' last='Kyles'] could be the best prospect in this class" type of statement. There were the obvious highlight finishes using length and agility as well as some threes using that length, but just as impressive was the decisions made to move the ball and when to shoot. And defensively I thought Kyles was in his spots using length to deflect, bother, or block on many plays. Great impression made.     The length and explosiveness of [player_tooltip player_id='2807778' first='Nathan' last='Ochan'] was maybe the story of Sunday. This is a young man that would rebound, push, and either dunk or move the ball to somebody else. Ochan was dunking on people in the halfcourt and in transition plus I thought he looked really comfortable with the ball. Nathan went from an unknown to many that were watching him to a guy you have to consider as a top ten prospect in this class already. Monster impression.     Long term prospect wise, Henry could be near the top of the list and someday be at the top of the list. Henry is 6'7 with length, agility and skill, a lot of skill. Henry has a touch out to the arc and he has good body control. The two things he needs are core strength that will come with maturity and time on the court. When those things come, Henry has the foundation of a guy that is the modern day stretch forward at the high major level.     I don't know how old this photo is for this profile but this is not the young man I saw making plays this weekend! Gray is about 6'2 or maybe 6'3 and he was a defensive menace. The length and agility that Gray has led to defensive playmaking in a way that has me thinking he could play varsity earlier than I thought. Skills are there offensively too and athletically Gray is a certain prospect for the future, I was just really impressed with the defensive impression.     Kannon stayed for three on three and then one game, but the dominance in that time period was quite clear. His timing at a young age really stood out to me, for many his age that takes time but the timing and feel of the way he plays really stood out. Kannon shot it more comfortably and handled the ball more comfortably than when I last saw him and his movements in the post and moving off the ball were more fluid than my last viewing. Kannon gets off the ground quickly to finish, board, contest, etc meaning he is more agile than I thought. He also finished with the right and left equally well in the paint which is another thing you don't see often with young prospects.    SECOND TEAM    The Washburn forward is raw skill and experience wise but he makes up for that with effort and that effort comes out on the defensive end. He moved with the ball to block shots and he got over in his help side to contest, block and board. Ran the floor well and has a nice ceiling potential wise.     A steady guard that now looks bigger than that 5'8 profile listing, Sykes is closer to six feet and the way he handled and play made in a steady way really stood out. The attack timing stood out because it was precise in terms of when the primary and defender were in a spot of vulnerability, and the plays made were consistent and high percentage.     One of my favorite players of the day, Ray Ray played well on both ends and his breakdown of the defender possession was outstanding. I loved his reads of his man and how to attack him with an attempt, an attack, and then he made the right choices when he got to to the help defenders. Got his hands on a lot of balls defensively too.     Hopkins has guards forever so Mason is going to be at some younger level this year and throttling younger players with his touch, size and separation ability. Really liked his feel for the game breaking down the defenders and that mid-range touch was pretty.     Max seemed to be everywhere on Sunday on both ends. A guy that was picking up high defensively and tough to screen, but then pushed the ball and got paint regularly. One of the most consistently productive players I saw.    THIRD TEAM    Trent has range and a touch that you almost need to see to believe. So quick with the ball as well, Trent was looked to by teammates to be the playmaker.     One of the top shooters at the event, Melzer's touch wasn't just consistent, it had range and came with both feet set and on the move. Loved watching the timing of his scores and he is a part of and true up and coming Islander group.     Another high potential player, Washington was at the rim scoring all day long. Three on three, five on five, transition, halfcourt, it didn' matter, Washington was physically moving through the defense without issue.     A lengthy forward with skill and agility, he's one of the up and comers for Alex that will keep them good. A player that I think could move into that scholarship potential chatter as he gains experience.     Strong, athletic, and fearless, I loved the way that Nuahn came at the defense possession after possession. A productive day for a player that was on balance and physically aggressive to his production.    FOURTH TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='3766361' first='Cameron' last='Johnson'] of Providence Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='2844282' first='Graham' last='Fox'] of Edina   Tyler Miskowicz of Eagan   [player_tooltip player_id='2854762' first='Ethan' last='Ebert'] of South St. Paul   [player_tooltip player_id='2382081' first='Will' last='Newton'] of Eastview

We give you the best of the best from the Freshmen Showcase last weekend at Hopkins High School.