2021 Metro Hidden Gems: Centers

<p>With the 2021 class losing out on the spring portion of the AAU season, we at Prep Hoops want to give recognition to some hidden gems at the center position. A majority of these players are ranked outside of our top-100, and all have the potential to play at the next level!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774852" first="Jack" last="Hernandez"] (6’8 2021 C, Hopkins)- </strong>Another player that could contribute next season among a deep group of talent at Hopkins, Jack has shown flashes of promise every time I see him play. He only appeared in five varsity games while struggling with an injury, but the 6’8 center is comfortable facing up and hitting mid-range jumpers using his high release. Jack’s a hard working defender who moves his feet when defending the pick-and-roll, and hustles for loose balls and rebounds. With an improved arsenal of post moves, he could be a solid contributor at the varsity level as a senior.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774809" first="Sam" last="Shikenjanski"] (6’8 2021 C, Stillwater)- </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774809" first="Sam" last="Shikenjanski"] was a key contributor for Stillwater this past season, often making his presence felt on the defensive end as a shot blocker. He’s a mobile 6’8 post who moves his feet to get in position, and has excellent timing to contest and block shots. Offensively he has a soft touch finishing off of pick &amp; rolls, and works for rebounds leading to second chance points. Averaged 5.7 ppg over the winter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774828" first="James" last="Parker"] (6’6 2021 C, Park Center)- </strong>From a pure footwork perspective, [player_tooltip player_id="774828" first="James" last="Parker"] ranks among the top big men in the state. He has a big bag of tricks in the post, and combining those with his strong frame allows him to score in bunches on the block. Though he didn’t get as much playing time as he would at most schools, playing behind two Division One frontcourt prospects, Parker made his presence felt off the bench scoring 4 ppg. It will be exciting to see how Parker does as the main man in the middle next season, as he has the potential to be a major post scoring threat as a senior.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774860" first="Zach" last="Wenthe"] (6’6 2021 C, Rosemount)- </strong>An 8.7 ppg scorer as a junior, Zach is a versatile post prospect who can do a little bit of everything. He has great hands catching off the pick &amp; roll, and finishes at a high rate around the rim. Although most of his scoring is done around the rim, Zach is capable of knocking down the outside jumper when left open, and he runs the floor hard to score in transition. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774765" first="Will" last="Kietzmann"] (6’11 2021 C, Maranatha Christian Academy)- </strong>At 6’11 with a strong build, the size of Will alone is enough to catch a coaches eye. He averaged 2.9 ppg as a junior and has a developing set of tools in the post. He’s an old school big man who does his damage in the paint as both a shot blocker and a finisher with soft touch turning over the left shoulder. Will works hard running the floor, and uses his frame to clear out space on the block.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774849" first="Evan" last="Meskill"] (6’11 2021 C, Tartan)- </strong>Evan is another project piece with exceptional size who plays for an always tough Tartan program. He mostly played at the JV level this past winter, but scored 1.8 ppg in his varsity appearances. His offensive game is still raw, but I love the way Evan competes on the glass and uses his size to box out before snagging the ball out of the air. Evan is a tough competitor who loves to work hard and compete on both ends of the floor. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774843" first="Andrew" last="Nerud"] (6’9 2021 C, New Prague)- </strong>Located on the outskirts of the metro area, the New Prague center is a hard working big man who cleans up the glass on both ends. Andrew works to establish contact on the box out to clear out space to attack the ball out of the air before looking for an outlet pass. Offensively he fights to gain position on the block, and has touch to finish around the rim. Currently ranked in the top-120 of our 2021 rankings. </p>