NDSU Team Camp: Impressive Forwards
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NDSU had a great turnout for their team camp. They had 2 courts running in the SHAC and 2 courts running in the Performance Center. There was a high school referee certification clinic going on at the same time as…
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Continue ReadingNDSU had a great turnout for their team camp. They had 2 courts running in the SHAC and 2 courts running in the Performance Center. There was a high school referee certification clinic going on at the same time as the team camp. This works out perfectly, the teams get certified high school officials to do these games, and the refs are being critiqued by other officials. You are not going to find a better-officiated event this summer. With that being said, let’s take a look at impressive FORWARDS/BIGs from day 1 (Thursday).
Alpha Camara (2024) |6’5 SF| Fargo Davies
He stood out right away as a gifted and special athlete. He moves differently than the average player. Camara also has arms that go down to his knees. His athleticism and length make him a playmaker. Alpha is a super quick jumper that gets to the rim in a hurry. On defense, he contested and altered many shots. Camara played with the varsity later in the evening and made a few athletic plays. In one instance, he came out of nowhere and erased a shot from behind. This Eagle has plenty of potential!
Atticus Wilkinson Atticus Wilkinson 6'6" | PF Shiloh Christian | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 F| Shiloh Christian
This kid can get up and finish above the rim in an impressive fashion. Wilkinson was throwing it down like an animal in warmups. In the game that I watched, Wilkinson was a workhorse in the paint. He showed a strong drop-step and he rebounded well. Atticus scored on many O-board putbacks. He moved well without the ball and he caught and finished with efficiency. Wilkinson had a big second game on Thursday where he went off for 25+ points. He will be a key player for Shiloh next year.
Jay Wanzek Jay Wanzek 6'7" | PF Shiloh Christian | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’6 PF| Shiloh Christian
He was the HOT-SHOT shooter of the day. Wanzek smoked 6 or 7 three-pointers in the first half of the game I watched. He was hitting them so often, that it was tough to keep track. Every time that I looked up, Jay was making a triple. At one point, the big man hit back-to-back-to-back 3’s. Jay did his fair share of rebounding as well. He shot it amazingly well and he passed it unselfishly. When on the block, Wanzek made a move to the rim, saw the help-D coming, and dished a nice assist to his fellow post. It was a great pass that showed off his court vision and awareness. Wanzek is going to have a monster senior season.
Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'2" | SF O'gorman | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’6 PF| Sioux Falls Jefferson
I liked how Kaden sealed and pinned his defender low on the block. After he caught the pass he simply had to turn around and put in the bunny. Year also sealed a defender on the top side and caught and finished with ease. He looked good in transition with a run-out layup. He had a defender on his heels, Year shot-faked, and let the defender fly by before he scored. Kaden executed on a BLOB and scored an easy 2 more points. He showed crafty footwork when stepping through a double-team on the way to a bucket. Kaden also looked good with offensive rebound putbacks and his handles are excellent for a 6’6 BIG. Year can also stroke the 3-ball. I am expecting him to be great for the rest of the summer and to be a star in the winter season.
Ethan Koltz Ethan Koltz 6'11" | C Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’11 C| Sioux Falls Jefferson
He looked like a vacuum when it came to rebounding the basketball. Koltz is a 6’11 monster on the court. His height makes him a rim protector and a productive rebounder. I liked his production on the offensive glass. Ethan looked good when screening and rolling to the rim. He catches the ball high and he keeps it high and away from the defenders. Koltz was also good at drawing contact and getting to the charity stripe. The big man from JHS is an intriguing player.
Riley Sunram Riley Sunram 6'5" | PF Kindred | 2024 ND (2024) |6’5 PF| Kindred
He is big, strong, bulky, and powerful. Sunram provides the Vikings with a physical post presence. He does work on the glass and he carves out space in the paint. Riley can score on the block with a soft baby hook and a strong drop step. I did not realize how skilled of a shooter he is. Sunram hit a nice three-pointer and a smooth 15-footer. He did it with confidence and without hesitation. Riley will be one of the best 5’s in Region-1 next season
Presley Peraza Presley Peraza 6'6" | PF Kindred | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’4 SF| Kindred
He is one of the top athletes in the 2025 class. His athleticism was on display Thursday. Peraza can run, jump, a react like few players his age can. Presley had many impressive finishes around the basket. I liked the looks of his creativity when finishing with a reverse layup inside of trying to power through a defender. Peraza also had an athletic baseline drive where he blew by his defender, once he got to the rim he drew contact and was sent to the line. Between Peraza, Ouse, and Sunram the Kindred Vikings will have the best young frontcourt in North Dakota.
Adam Jenkins Adam Jenkins 6'9" | C Moorhead | 2023 State MN (2023) |6’9 PF| Moorhead
He was easily one of the most athletic forwards at the camp. Jenkins showed the ability to step outside and hit 3-pointers. He showcased slick footwork on a step-through finish that he completed with his left hand. I had not seen him use his left hand much. Usually, Jenkins is finishing with his right or a 2-handed dunk. It was good to see that Adam has that dimension to his game. Jenkins also did a nice job of rim-protecting and rebounding. He is excellent at running the court and he is deadly in the pick-n-roll game. Adam is great at rim-running, catching, and finishing with power. I am excited to see him play again next Wednesday at the Breakdown in Moorhead.