Spring Open Period Preview – 2022 Small Forward

<p>The 2022 class has a pair of nationally ranked top 50 talents plus several others players that college coaches should get to know quickly.  </p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Today we give you our list of small forwards college coaches should know, in Minnesota’s sophomore class.  Players that would be competing on 17u and 16u teams with some of the best teams on several different circuits. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Attention High Major Programs!</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850702" first="Prince" last="Aligbe"]</strong> – a 6’6 wing from Minnehaha Academy and Grassroots Sizzle.</p> <p>Comparison – It’s hard to find a Minnesota comparison for Prince because rarely have a week seen a player with his build that plays on the wing.  Guys that are as strong as Prince in Minnesota have not moved their feet on the wing like he does.  Trent Lockett was a similar producer for a stacked team at Hopkins, like Prince is at Minnehaha Academy. </p> <p>Why Prince Over Others? Because he has rare athletic gifts, a strong work ethic, and is willing to play whatever role he is asked as proven by his defensive improvements this winter. </p> <p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/78YZ8A15evU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="850703" first="Camden" last="Heide"]</b> – a 6’6 wing from Wayzata and D1 Minnesota 17u.</p> <p>Comparison – Heide is like [player_tooltip player_id="846106" first="Gabe" last="Madsen"] only a bit bigger, his shooting numbers have been a higher percentage, and both finish at the rim in similar impressive ways.  Both rebound very well too. </p> <p>Why Camden Over Others? Camden has good size as a wing, a three point shooting touch at a high percentage, and he is an explosive finisher as well. </p> <p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NoswbuvDtxU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Attention D1 Programs!</strong></p> <figure id="attachment_943341" class="wp-caption alignright" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-943341"> <figcaption id="caption-attachment-943341" class="wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="850711" first="Joshua" last="Ola-Joseph"]</span></strong> – a 6’5 wing from Osseo and D1 Minnesota 16u.</p> <p>Comparison –  The way Ola-Joseph scored this year as an active athlete around the basket with strong rebounding numbers and high percentage finishers makes us think a bit taller Tywhon Pickford. </p> <p>Why Josh Over Others? A quick twitch, long armed finisher that has the strides and quickness up the floor that match that of elite talents.  Most productive player at Osseo this year. </p> <p>[embed]https://twitter.com/FreshCoastHoops/status/1171177246398320640[/embed]</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"]</span></strong> – a 6’6 wing from Shakopee and Minnesota Fury 16u.</p> <p>Comparison –  </p> <p>Why Nick Over Others? Katona is an agile wing that is already a strong high school defender with an improving skill game.  Similar production levels as his brother Charlie but with more agility. </p> <p>[embed]https://twitter.com/PHCircuit/status/1221854413452648449[/embed]</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="850715" first="BJ" last="Omot"] </b>– a 6’6 wing from Mankato East.</p> <p>Comparison –  Goodnews Kpegeol.  Similar size as Goodnews but the same type of comfort in a big body away from the basket. </p> <p>Why BJ Over Others? Omot is a big, skilled wing with a smoothness to his game that is rare.  Can play several spots and finish over nearly all wings he will face. </p> <p>[embed]https://twitter.com/FreshCoastHoops/status/1246198202363252737[/embed]</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="958638" first="Demarion" last="Watson-Saulsberry"] </b>– a 6’6 wing from Minnehaha Academy and Grassroots Sizzle 16u.</p> <p>Comparison –  The athletic ability when Demarion finishes make me think of a taller and longer but not quick as compact Ade Murkey (at Denver). </p> <p>Why Demarion Over Others? Another rare, explosive athlete that will top the charts as an above the rim finisher.  Hasn’t played much high school basketball in his life but was incredible on JV.</p> <p>[embed]https://twitter.com/FreshCoastHoops/status/1223386072987684866[/embed]</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850729" first="Muja" last="Burton"]</strong> - a 6’4 wing from Columbia Heights and Howard Pulley 16u.</p> <p>Comparison –  A shorter version of Courtney Brown Jr.  Courtney is a couple inches taller but they have similar frames and similar style of games.  And they both have worn goggles! </p> <p>Why Muja Over Others? Burton has a solid three-point shooting touch and a work rate as a high school talent that most his age can’t match. </p> <p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LqqYixZDalc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Attention D1 &amp; D2  Programs!</strong><b></b></p> <figure id="attachment_730747" class="wp-caption alignright" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-730747"></figure> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958360" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"]</strong> (6’5) of Mankato West. </p> <p><strong><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="850735" first="Brady" last="Helgren"]</span> </strong>(6’7) of Edina.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958651" first="Aaron" last="Kaul"]</strong> (6’5) of Blaine. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958652" first="Makuei" last="Riek"]</strong> (6’5) of Rochester Mayo. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>