MN Tune Up: Max’s Day One Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Saturday at #PHTheTuneUpMN in Shakopee!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf29d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elias impressed in an 8am game for [program_tooltip program_id='2455790' first='Howard' last='Pulley'] 15u Percy. The DeLaSalle guard has a shifty handle, and is aggressive looking to penetrate and get into the lane. Elias can finish over taller defenders with a floater, or pull-up for a jumper when he gets into a pocket of space. He was always looking to push the tempo, and his speed in the open floor helped create plenty of good looks for both himself and his teammates in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2916865' first='King' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hopkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 14u","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2ae7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An incoming freshman to watch in Minnesota, King already has some experience playing at the lower levels for Hopkins last winter. That play against older competition allowed him to go right at a [program_tooltip program_id='2455790' first='Howard' last='Pulley'] 15u team yesterday, helping lead his team to a win. He's a dynamic athlete who just found ways to get to the rim off the dribble, and from there showed the athleticism to hang in the air for some acrobatic finishes. Has the speed to quickly turn defense into offense, and had some nice assists to his bigs rolling to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2b58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The WOTN defense simply didn't have an answer for Kyler's speed on Saturday afternoon. He was flying by defenders for finish after finish in the first half, racking up 16 points and 6 assists in a blowout win for his team. Despite attacking at a high speed, Kyler always looked under control, and was able to make split second decisions on whether to pass or score based on how the help-side defender reacted around the rim. Dangerous off ball defender who has the timing to jump passes for steals or step in to take a charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126467"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2bbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Babou's energy and effort on the defensive end was contagious in a win for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] against [program_tooltip program_id='2455790' first='Howard' last='Pulley']. He was able to defend just about every spot on the floor, and was smothering opposing ball handlers with his long arms and quick feet. The type of player who gets more fired up by a big defensive stop than a highlight reel dunk, and he brings that type of effort defensively every time he steps on a court. Despite playing up a year at the 17u level, Babou is a vocal leader and someone that guys enjoy playing with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2559428"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2c1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taaj had a huge first half for [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'], helping lead his team to a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2455790' first='Howard' last='Pulley'] in 15u play. One of the top 2028 guards in the state, Taaj is a three level scorer with a smooth jumper at 6'2. Taaj was making defenders pay for allowing him to catch in space from three, but when they got up on him Taaj was able to beat them off the dribble and find pockets of space to score. Like his older brother Nas, Taaj only needs a few inches of space to get into his pull-up jumper, and once he gets into a rhythm he can put points on the board in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381223"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2c7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Judah was a nightmare in transition for Power Circle Basketball Academy in their win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075453' first='Minnesota' last='HD']. The 6'3 guard threw down a powerful dunk right over a defender, leaked out for another one handed dunk, and showed the body control to finish off the glass from difficult angles. Judah pressures the ball hard defensively, and was aggressive looking to jump passes to come up with steals and get his team transition scoring opportunities. He's been a key player for Power Circle every time I've seen them play this spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126475"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6869c5bcf2cdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2126475' first='Conner' last='Watts'] stepped up in the second half to help his [program_tooltip program_id='2455790' first='Howard' last='Pulley'] 16u team pull away from [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite']. He had some impressive finishes through contact, and was able to extend and finish away from his body to get his shots off over length around the basket. Showed a quick first step to catch and immediately blow by his defender to get downhill. The ball never seemed to stick in his hands, as he knew whether to drive or swing it as soon as the ball came his way. He looks ready to step into a bigger role for BSM as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->