17U Summer – Top 5 2021 Stock Risers
What South Dakota 2021 talents at the top of the class had the best summers in terms of playing above the level of expectations for their 17u team? Jay Jurgens Jay Jurgens 6'8" | C Brandon Valley | 2021 State…
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Continue ReadingWhat South Dakota 2021 talents at the top of the class had the best summers in terms of playing above the level of expectations for their 17u team?
Jay Jurgens Jay Jurgens 6'8" | C Brandon Valley | 2021 State SD of South Dakota Attack (Brandon Valley). In watching Jay play this winter and then looking at what we saw this summer, here is a guy that seems to be taking his basketball education and applying it. A couple things I noticed from Jay that looked improved were his positioning, timing, and movement after a ball screen, his position and target given in the post, and most importantly the comfort and confidence into a finish. Things that I didn’t see as much in looking at Brandon Valley film before the 17u season. Jay seemed to move with more of a comfort which is big because he is fairly agile at 6-foot-8. Defensively he used that agility to force everything over the top and that length is tough to score over. Big things expected in the near future.
Koor Koul of Bartlett Force (SF Roosevelt). When it comes to South Dakota seniors-to-be, Koor Koul is up for summer MVP consideration. Koul is the first name that popped out of the mouth of Prep Hoops scouts from Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and Florida when they saw the Force play against a team they were covering. What stands out? The all around unselfish productive nature of Koor’s game. His defensive ball pressure was loved by many as was his ability to play on the ball and off the ball with positive results for his team. Koul attacks the basket with aggression and lifts above the rotating defenders but rarely did he force an attempt. This is a “next pass” kind of team guy that understands that when he supplies opportunity to others, opportunity can come back his way.
Blaze Lubbers Blaze Lubbers 6'4" | SG Harrisburg | 2021 State SD of South Dakota Network (Harrisburg). Blaze Lubbers Blaze Lubbers 6'4" | SG Harrisburg | 2021 State SD is a guy that plays with an energy that we really like. One of the best rebounding wings we saw on the Prep Hoops Circuit all summer, Blaze had multiple double-doubles in games we looked in on. Blaze was on the fast track up the wing every game and at times you would get the 100mph finish (throw downs included), you would see him stop at the arc, catch a pass and hit a three, or you would see some of that bounce he has getting to the rim for a lob finish. One of the many reasons we think Harrisburg could have a really nice winter.
Majok Majouk of South Dakota Attack (Sergeant-Bluff, IA). Because Majok is not from South Dakota he is our 6th guy in this article. That said, he had to be mentioned considering the way he has taken massive steps forward and earning a scholarship spot on the Southwest Minnesota State roster. This young man has shot up to 6-foot-9 with a reach that seems to extend a foot above the rim for any player trying to score over him. I was not expecting to see the scoring touch from Majok that I did especially when a few players were gone and he moved into a more pivotal point producing role. Developing some range but the biggest thing is the physical gifts. You simply can’t teach the agility at 6-foot-9 that he has playing away from the rim or at it. You can teach how to use it and when that happens even further look out Iowa high school basketball and NSIC.
Hayden Muirhead Hayden Muirhead 6'7" | PF SF O'Gorman | 2021 State SD of South Dakota Network (SF O’Gorman). This winter Hayden looked to be a nice face-up jump shooter for his team getting that elbow to face the rim and finishing off possessions in games we looked in on. So when we saw him play the first time with the Network our expectation was that we would see more, so that is what I told a scout sitting next to me. Next thing you know, Hayden exploded to the baseline for three two hand dunks regardless of who was in his way and the scout looked at me like “you sure you didn’t get him mixed up with somebody else?”. Hayden went at the rim like his name was Dominique Wilkins and he was going to two hand dunk on every player in the gym. Hayden rebounded in the same way. If he continues this type of play we expect him to earn scholarship chances and have a fantastic senior season.
Alex Tong of Bartlett Force (SF Lincoln). An offensive rebounding machine all summer, Tong was impressing Prep Hoops scouts that watched in four different states! Uses his body physically to move opponents and at times simply explodes though people to collect second chances or quick transition defensive boards. Plays with a confidence in his own ability with a shot that is growing. Tong has a lot of natural ability in a decent sized 6-foot-6 frame that moves well. With more experience this is a young man that can developed into a nice high school senior and potentially something at the next level.