The Minnesota Top 250 Expo: New Names to Know (2025)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were some of the new 2025 names we picked up from the Expo that we think will greatly help their teams this winter? Here is a list!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1490631' first='Owen' last='Chervestad'] of Red Lake County (6'0). This was a great chance to see Owen and back-up what we know: he's a staff stuffer. Owen had three triple doubles last season and one quadruple double. One of the best shot creators at this event and in the state, Owen averaged eight assists a game last season! Good shooter, but most importantly, an elite competitor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1594744' first='Billy' last='Demars'] of Edina (6'3). Demars is one of the best players that I saw this weekend that I knew little about coming in. And this winter you have to believe that Demars is going to be able to help the new look Hornets. He's a confident player with some good guard size who uses that size and skill combo to get through lanes to make plays. A really good passer plus he shot the ball well from the perimeter Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1617679' first='Alex' last='Kopetzki'] of Andover (6'0). Kopetzki set up his shot attempts so well, it's the first thing that caught my eye. His off ball movement is tight and timed, his attack against a flat foot defender was aggressive and effective, and his ability to use either hand around the rim to finish stood out. Quality shooter too, keep your hands up on this young man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288779' first='Dwaun' last='Reliford'] of Mankato East (6'3). We've found another reason we think the young Cougars will be really good this year, another young talent! Reliford is an athletic, explosive wing that has a chance to be an elite defender and a scorer that produces 3-4 buckets a game slashing to the rim (like he did this weekend). He joins Madson, Pretzel, and Schweim as a great young core. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1617757' first='John' last='Schmidt'] of Chanhassen (6'4). John was one of the hardest working and versatile sophomores I saw. He set ball screens well, and he used ball screens to show his skill. One of the better sophomore rebounders and paint finishers, and one of the more constant workers I saw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1584901' first='Ricky' last='Wengert'] of Rochester Century (5'11). I think this weekend we found one of the better future PGs in the Big Nine. [player_tooltip player_id='1584901' first='Ricky' last='Wengert'] is a skilled one that has a beautiful shot. In looking through the research, Wengert has a history as a shooter and we saw that clearly Saturday. Also a very steady ball handler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1617791' first='Omar' last='Whittaker'] of Cristo Rey Jesuit (6'1). I thought Omar set up plays very very well. For example: the ball fake moving a defender to hit a jumper, the one dribble wide to move the defense a bit to set up the passing angle, the crossover into the spin move, and the simple sprint up the floor ahead of the defense to finish. I have to believe he has three years of consistent scoring production ahead of him at CRJ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->