MN Top 250 Expo: Top Shooters

<p>Continuing our coverage of Saturday’s Expo, let’s break down some of the best marksmen in all classes from the weekend at Hopkins.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="960333" first="Sam" last="Zilmer"] (6-4 SG, Rockford, 2022) - </strong>Having a small summer to really get comfortable as a primary creator has benefitted Sam greatly. He oozes confidence every time he lets the ball fly and not only is he a knockdown three-point specialist but the measurables on Sam combined with the skillset project him as a big impact guy on a very good MIAC team at some point in his career. He has developed a confidence and coolness that pairs wonderfully with his Rockford teammate [player_tooltip player_id="957205" first="Ryan" last="Boysen"].</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962206" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] (6-2 SG, Stillwater, 2023) - </strong>Swagger and confident movement are going to be common points of emphasis in this article and Shikenjanski had both all day Saturday. His off-ball activity sneaking into open areas for uncontested jumpers was fun to watch for such a youngster. He reads his teammates creating extremely well to keep spacing and balance on the floor. I assume Max will take on more of a hands-on role as Stillwater’s most important backcourt piece moving forward, but it’s good to know he can do a bit of everything.</p> <p><strong>Payton Thomsen (6-2 SG, Spring Lake Park, 2022) - </strong>Moving in from Andover, Thomsen adds a big spark of offense that [player_tooltip player_id="721857" first="Gabe" last="Myren"] and [player_tooltip player_id="846121" first="Blake" last="Remme"] take with them to college. Thomsen is as smart a floor-spacer as you’ll find and knocks down contested jumpers in all areas at a high rate. I liked what I saw from him getting his hands dirty on the glass and defense too.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774752" first="Bradley" last="Cimperman"] (6-5 SG, Woodbury, 2021) - </strong>I think Brad has all the tools to be an impact player right away in college, wherever he lands. At worst, you’re getting a freshman that will consistently smoke the rotation as a scout team player his first year. Brad’s creative with the ball in his hands and is most dangerous orchestrating a full-court run after a rebound. He picked spots to attack for rhythm jumpers without forcing too much or being inefficient.</p> <p><strong>Kobe Kirk (6-3 SG, Mounds View, 2022) - </strong>True spot-up shooters become more and more valuable the higher the level of basketball you reach. Kobe Kirk will be an impact junior for the Mustangs next season, and MV will be a good team returning multiple important players. His size and release point are excellent and his length gives him that extra edge on the other end which doesn’t hurt. Another player aware of spacing and relocating off ballhandlers’ cues.</p> <p><strong>Ajani McRae (6-0 PG, Patrick Henry, 2022) - </strong>This speedy lead guard was fearless going up against bigger opponents and let a high-arcing jumper go multiple times beyond the three-point line with success. The Patriots have some new faces to learn about at the varsity level and McRae will be at the forefront as an offensive catalyst.</p>