Hard Work Region Finals: Saturday’s 16U Standouts

Here are the prospects at the 16U level who stood out to me on day two of the Hard Work Region Finals! [player_tooltip player_id="1284183" first="Max" last="Mogelson"] of Minnesota Select (6’4” Forward - 2024) Max completely dominated the interior in both games I was able to catch. He really impressed me with his rebounding, as it seemed as every time a ball came down in Max’s vicinity, he was going to come away with it. This was the case on defense, as well as offense, leading to some tough second chance finishes through lots of contact. He was constantly drawing fouls, ending in a number of converted and-ones. Mogelson can also stretch the floor as he looked very comfortable knocking down the mid-range jumper in the catch-and-shoot and off the dribble. Max looks like a player who could have a breakout season at Two Rivers this year. Chan Malith of MN Lace Up (6’2” Guard - 2024) Chan is such an intriguing prospect in this 2024 class, the 6’2” lengthy guard can score at will from all levels on the floor. He was keeping defenders guessing all game and could finish over a player the same height or smaller than him with ease. He also has a very pure jump shot, knocking down numerous shots from deep. He was also always guarding the best player on the opposing team, using his 6’8” wingspan to get in passing lanes causing turnovers and to pick up some blocks and rebounds. Malith is going to be a sleeper prospect coming out of Rochester Century for the next few years. I believe that he will have a breakout season at the varsity level. Jackson Harvey of Minnesota Lightning (6’5” Forward - 2024) Jackson was getting whatever he wanted in Lightning’s matchup with Madison Spartans. He was very impressive at getting established in his spot in the paint and receiving entry passes from teammates, leading to easy turn around baskets. When he is at the rim, he can finish with either hand and can finish through contact from opponents. At 6’5”, he can run the floor as well, getting his hand in a passing lane to deflect a pass, then taking it all the way to the other end for a fast break one hand dunk. Harvey was dominating the paint on defense as well, picking up some key blocks and some tough rebounds in traffic. He has a very mature game, constantly making tough plays look like comfortable and easy. [player_tooltip player_id="1428888" first="Timmy" last="Denedo"] of Minnesota Rush (5’9” Guard - 2024) Timmy showed out in Rush’s matchup with Minnesota Select. He is the ultra floor general whose game consists of a fair balance between getting his teammates involved and scoring when necessary. Despite his lack of size, he was constantly finding open seams in the defense to attack and get to the basket. When he gets there, he can rise up and contort his body to avoid being blocked by a larger opponent. He is also a very sneaky defender, coming away with steals and always making his opponents work extra hard. He will take on a much larger role at Osseo this season with the departures of 2022 guards Benard Omooria and Tyirece Waits. [player_tooltip player_id="1256295" first="Kavon" last="Phillips"] of Iowa Barnstormers (6’4” Guard - 2024) Kavon is a crafty 6’4” guard/wing who can knock down shots from anywhere on the perimeter. His pull up game is so smooth as he can get the shot off so quickly after taking that last dribble, leading to it being very hard to get a good contest on his jump shots. He also really impressed me with the way he was playing at different speeds, slowing it down at first, then blowing by defenders to go to the rim or changing direction to get to his spot and get separation for an easy look. His shot is so pure and he plays with extremely high confidence. Phillips did a really good job handling the ball as well, never doing too much and always looking under control. [player_tooltip player_id="1289035" first="Carson" last="Awe"] of Elite 8 (5’11” Guard - 2024) This was my second time seeing Carson play this season and his first performance blew me away, and that was not a fluke. He plays the game so effortlessly and is constantly making tough plays so easy. Awe is an incredibly smart player as it seems he always knows when to speed the tempo up or slow it down when necessary. He can score from everywhere and has so much confidence in his shot making abilities. The defense always has to keep an extra eye on him, as he does a great job floating around the perimeter to find his opening in the defense for an open look. Carson also excelled at throwing long passes to start fast breaks for easy points. He was easily one of the best scorers and facilitators I saw all weekend. Alpha Camara of Rise Up (6’3” Wing - 2024) Despite the loss, Alpha was scoring at will in Rise Up’s matchup with Iowa Barnstormers. He shined the most when using his speed and size to run in transition and finish at the rim with a full head of steam. He can finish at the rim with his right or his left and uses his strength to bully defenders inside. He also used that strength to dominate the glass, grabbing rebounds over players a couple inches taller than him. Camara can also space the floor, knocking down some shots from the outside. He was playing the point most of the game bringing the ball up the floor and conducting the offense for his team. Alpha is a one-man fast break waiting to happen at all times.