2029 BIGs: Incoming Freshman Names to Know

<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2821845' first='Malik' last='Martin'] - Martin is a six-foot-seven-inch player with a wingspan longer than his height from Minneapolis Camden and plays AAU with the Mpls Hustlers. Martin is a left-handed shooter that finishes around the rim with his right, either dunking or close finishes. Martin is a good passer, good ball handler for his size, and uses length and reach to snag rebounds over smaller players. Has a perimeter game shooting, not yet a polished shooter however. Facing up Martin has good footwork, speed and quickness. His size is a clear advantage, but he has good ability to adapt around the rim as he's an adept finisher. As Martin ages and players start growing and catching up he'll have to be stronger on the boards, and give more consistent effort on defense, especially as a helper. He also floats a bit to the perimeter.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiINHIkYsTM&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos2.0 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2486564' first='Kolden' last='Johnson'] - Johnson is a six-foot-five-inch forward from Anoka and plays AAU with [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 3SSB 2029 team. Johnson is a super consistent player and efficient, especially around the rim. Johnson may be the best finishing 2029 player in Minnesota below the rim. Johnson is a good passer, cuts to the basket strong, good help defender, and excellent basketball court IQ. Johnson has good footwork and soft hands. Johnson plays center, and will likely be a power forward as he grows older. The biggest skill he'll need to work-on is making jump shots and <a href="https://youtu.be/vxmmnFss_Q8?si=5PlDoDPR_Zq-3fRV">potentially extending his range</a>. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/dQFq-vlpGcw?si=5yI7TnRroxsP1TIz </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2916849' first='Mekhi' last='Abner'] - Abner is a six-foot-four-inch forward that plays for PJ Hoops JR EYBL and played JV at Osseo last season. Abner has good hands, good finisher, and good footwork. From last winter to June Abner has made considerable improvement with his quickness, and movements. Abner has a long reach, rebounds well and works on defense. A little bit this spring and summer Abner jump shot is looking smoother. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqMPikFFKvU&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos2.0 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2848538' first='Justus' last='Dayee'] - Dayee is a six-foot-five-inch forward that played Varsity at Simley as an 8th grader and plays AAU with Uncheckable Sizzle. Dayee is quick on his feet, has good footwork, and keeps the ball high inside and around the basket. Dayee uses his length to defend the rim, is a good athlete and runs the floor well for his size and age. Dayee is strong inside, defends the post well. Plays the dunker spot well on offense and uses his hands well to catch and finish at the rim.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tbxzhpc-ak&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos2.0 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2393884' first='Dexter' last='Simmons'] - Simmons is a six-foot-six-inch center from Stewartville and plays AAU with 58 Hoops versus 2028 players. Simmons who I last watched was six-foot-three-inches so he's grown 3 inches since last April. Simmons plays well as a traditional post, defends, rebounds, and operates well as a passer at the high-post. Simmons is an active big man deterring opponents at the rim either altering shots or blocking shots. Simmons has potential as a stretch 4.</p>   <p>Lamar McBride - McBride is a six-foot-two-inch forward from Minneapolis Camden and PJ Hoops JR EYBL team. McBride is a strong forward, built like a linebacker who is quick off two-feet. McBride has a good second jump to recover offensive rebounds and has drive when inside that makes it very tough to keep him off the glass. This strength and competitiveness makes McBride tough on the defensive side as well. McBride's quickness at his size makes him difficult to deal with although he's still developing his skills. McBride has shown more willingness to shoot from the perimeter as this AAU season has gone on.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/7W-w_ueSrh0?si=hySquFIfGxoLvcOJ </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2394101' first='Landon' last='Taatjes'] - Taatjes is a six-foot-three-inch forward that played with SW MN Stars and is from Central Minnesota Christian. Taatjes played JV as an 8th grader and saw the floor for 4 Varsity games including scoring 6 points versus Canby. Taatjes is a forward that can put the ball down and drive to the basket. Can finish plays off with either hand, has good positional awareness defensively and a good passer from the perimeter finding cutters.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjxRxBNzJIo&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2896436' first='Madani' last='Camara'] - Camara is a left-handed shooting six-foot-three-inch forward from St. Cloud Cathedral. During two camps Camara showed ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter, was light on his feet and moved well for his size, and had a few moves inside when posted up.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Eolz5p6UPak </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2905843' first='Cody' last='Woitel-Anschutz'] - Woitel-Anschutz is a six-foot-three-inch forward that plays with Mpls Central and will go to Breck. Woitel-Anschutz is a stretch four type of player that runs the floor well, and works hard on the glass. Woitel-Anschutz sets hard screens and is active on both sides of the court.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2848504' first='Liam' last='Jensen'] - Jensen is a six-foot-seven-inch center that played with [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] and is from Roseville. Jensen is a big guy with a solid frame. His height is a large advantage as he easily reaches over opponents to grab boards, and can be a threat at blocking shots or deterring opponents coming inside. Jensen's range is close to the rim, and his greatest development is getting quicker feet and being better when catching the ball.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCI_U1VNzFE&t=6s&ab_channel=StreetHistoryVideos </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2851186' first='Jabari' last='Lubin'] - Lubin is a six-foot-five-inch [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Wanzak center from Hopkins. Lubin is active, and runs the floor. Solid size and body, solid foot speed for his size. In travel ball he rebounded well and opponents struggled to move him out of the way.</p>

Malik Martin Malik Martin 6'7" | SF Minneapolis Henry | 2029 State MN - Martin is a six-foot-seven-inch player with a wingspan longer than his height from Minneapolis Camden and plays AAU with the Mpls Hustlers. Martin is a left-handed shooter that finishes around the rim with his right, either dunking or close finishes. Martin is a good passer, good ball handler for his size, and uses length and reach to snag rebounds over smaller players. Has a perimeter game shooting, not yet a polished shooter however. Facing up Martin has good footwork, speed and quickness. His size is a clear advantage, but he has good ability to adapt around the rim as he's an adept finisher. As Martin ages and players start growing and catching up he'll have to be stronger on the boards, and give more consistent effort on defense, especially as a helper. He also floats a bit to the perimeter.