Finding hidden gems at Summer Jam

The more time we spend evaluating Minnesota's class of 2030, the deeper the well seems to run. Young players these days have more skill than ever before, and the height and athleticism for this particular group of prospects is off the charts. This past weekend at Summer Jam, I spent my time watching incoming freshmen from across the state, hoping to get a final glimpse before the AAU season concludes in a couple weeks. There was no shortage of top performers and high scorers, but what was most exciting was all the hidden gems found along the way. Here are six under-the-radar 8th graders who stood out at Minnesota's largest AAU tournament.    Binkley (pictured above) is one of those players that just flat out competes. She brings a fiery, competitive attitude to the court, playing with intensity, but still keeping a level head in close game scenarios. The 5'7 guard is highly disruptive on defense, using active hands and quick lateral movement to pester her opponents for all 94 feet. On offense, Ruby shines in read and react situations. The Eagan 8th grader is constantly scanning the floor, looking for the best shot, pass, or cut available, and consistently makes the right decisions when the ball is in her hands. In Saturday's matchup against [program_tooltip program_id='712697' first='MN' last='Crossfire'], Binkley was a vocal presence on both ends of the floor, acting as both a leader and a spark of energy for her team.     It's not every day that a 6-foot-2 true post player walks into the gym. In fact, as the basketball world leans more towards a positionless game, back-to-the-basket centers are becoming less and less common, and those that are out there must master other facets of the game. Luckily, Krusemark checks all the boxes. With plenty of strength to her frame and a fair degree of mobility, the Stillwater 8th grader is able to affect the game from the block, the high post, or out on the perimeter. At Summer Jam, Addie was highly effective in setting ball screens, was aggressive on the glass, and showed some flashes of high-level passing from the post. Not even in high school yet, Krusemark's game has some serious potential.     Minnehaha Academy is one of Minnesota's perennial programs that seems to have an endless stream of talented young players coming down the pipe. Erickson is no exception to that. Long and wiry, the 5'7 guard is smooth up and down the floor and plays with a significant bounce in her step. She has a well-rounded fundamental skillset, excelling as a perimeter ball handler, three-point shooter, and off-ball slasher. Liesl's ability to change pace enables her to lure defenders in, then blow by them with a burst of speed and find wide open layups backdoor. On the defensive end, the Redhawks 8th grader uses her length to her advantage by getting in the passing lanes, applying pressure on the perimeter, and wreaking havoc on the other team's ball handlers.     Sowieja's game is bursting with potential. The [program_tooltip program_id='774653' first='Minnesota' last='Bobcats'] wing boasts a lengthy frame, long, fluid strides, and no shortage of quickness, giving her an athletic advantage over many opponents. From a skill development standpoint, Taylor's game is still raw, but all the tools are there. She's active on the defensive end, knows how to position herself to fight for rebounds, and seems to have a natural touch for finishing around the rim. The Farmington 8th grader also has a developing shot from three-point range, and a consistent work ethic on both ends of the floor. With eight seniors graduating for the Tigers, we could see Sowieja enter the varsity mix this winter.     The [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] 14U Elite forward was all business at Summer Jam. Wunderlich made things happen on both ends of the floor and helped carry the team to a championship in the Clear Lake division. The 5'10 forward out of Alexandria was highly effective at scoring in the paint, using her strength to maintain her balance and finish through contact down low. Brynn is left handed, but finishes consistently on both sides of the basket. On defense she brought the physicality for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']. Wunderlich was unyielding when it came to boxing out, forced her opponents out of the paint on post-ups and cuts to the rim, and came up with clutch rebounds on more than one occasion.     Antony seems to just get better and better with each passing week. Compared to the beginning of the AAU season, the 6'0 wing has become more assertive. She's more aggressive on the glass, more comfortable with the ball in her hands, and is looking for her own shot at a much higher frequency. This weekend at Summer Jam, Ellie put up shots from beyond the arc with confidence, communicated well on the defensive end, and used her length effectively on the defensive end. Like many players who sprout up to 6 feet at a young age, it may be some time before the Spring Lake Park 8th grader gets her legs under her. But with a high degree of mobility already, Antony's athletic potential is quite high.

The more time we spend evaluating Minnesota's class of 2030, the deeper the well seems to run. Young players these days have more skill than ever before, and the height and athleticism for this particular group of prospects is off the charts. This past weekend at Summer Jam, I spent my time watching incoming freshmen from across the state, hoping to get a final glimpse before the AAU season concludes in a couple weeks. There was no shortage of top performers and high scorers, but what was most exciting was all the hidden gems found along the way. Here are six under-the-radar 8th graders who stood out at Minnesota's largest AAU tournament.