The Prep Hoops Expo Preview – Juniors to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What juniors should you know about that will be at the Prep Hoops Expo this weekend? We give you those names to know NOW!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>There are still some spots available, use the code "RyanJames10" for a discount to get in for the event THIS SATURDAY</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Guards</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560499' first='Kevin' last='Wilson Jr.'] of Tartan. When it comes to talents that rank with the best in their class year after year, some of the players like to pick and choose when they compete, and others loved to compete. The guys that loved to compete whenever, those are the guys that had success in college and into the pros (at whatever league). Wilson is the top ranked player in the 2028 class in Minnesota and he's that guy that is always ready to compete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544137' first='Acaurii' last='Clark'] of Simley. Clark has been a past fall showcase standout and we are looking forward to see where this attacking 6'4 guard/wing is now at with his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2398951' first='Brady' last='Hendrickson'] of Hastings. When it comes to metro scorers as sophomores, the Hendrickson numbers ranked with some of the better players around. How does that translate against some of the better guards in the metro? We find out this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560433' first='Braxdyn' last='Male'] of Esko. We've talked about Male being a talent that could be among the state leading scorers this year. We saw that from him playing with the Heat and he has a chance to show that level of play this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2954092' first='Fred' last='Onyinkwa'] of Anoka. Fred was a top scorer and playmaker for the Titans this 16u season and for PACT Charter last winter laying a nice foundation for his teams. Fred is now the Anoka playmaker and it will be a really good chance to see Fred run a team this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Wings</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2556742' first='Charlie' last='Howe'] of Champlin Park. There are two 6'6 shooters we really want to see in terms of how they have matured and Charlie is one of them. Howe has a chance to be a special shooter and we start now tracking the consistency of that shot in addition to see how he is defending and playing an all around game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560485' first='Jackson' last='Vargas'] of Rogers. The other 6'6 shooter is Vargas and he's coming off a great weekend at the 3 on 3 in Waconia as well as a very good summer shooting the ball in whatever competition he was in. Vargas is looking like a D2 forward prospect and its another chance to show that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2397555' first='Brady' last='Molenaar'] of Buffalo. The two time Fury all state forward who scored 13-14 a game at Rosemount is now at Buffalo and ready to help the Bison make a state push. Brady is one of the smartest players in the state and this is a chance to go against some good older forwards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Size</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2832193' first='Erik' last='Bakke'] of Maranatha Christian Academy. The 6'10 center moves pretty well at his size and all that length in a 6'10 frame finishing, rebounding, contesting, moving off screens, etc, it's rare to find. Bakke is still pretty raw but the potential is high and this is a great time to see where Erik is at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2410976' first='Harrison' last='Wiesneth'] of Minneapolis North. Another 6'10 big, Wiesneth is more of the old school post with a ton of strength and size that is almost immovable around the basket. Type of big that can clear space like an offensive lineman with a ball screen, and is nearly impossible to move on the block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2955355' first='Andy' last='Auge'] of Shakopee. Andy is about an inch smaller than Bakke but the same aspects apply in terms of potential. Auge runs well, he can move laterally off a ball screen, and gets to his help around the paint in a way that colleges really like. The 6'9 big from Shako is another player to keep an eye on as we start to talk college potential in the upperclassmen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2835388' first='Kenny' last='Brown'] of St. Paul Highland Park. Brown made a big impression at this event last year in terms of showing the potential (he was at the sophomore camp last year) and that is what put him on the radar. Haven't seen much from him since so this will be a great event to check on his steps forward in the last 12 months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560476' first='Isaac' last='Johnson'] of Chanhassen. Isaac dealt with an injury that kept him out of the winter season and then much of the 16u year. That said, he was back in July and we saw him play in KC and Isaac looked really good. The impact he can make this year should be strong. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2561052' first='Chase' last='Maetzold'] of Chaska. The "check in" theme continues with the all state forward. Chase rarely played local this 16u season so the Expo will be a great chance to track his progress from the last half year. He had a great March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->