Summer Jam Standouts: Part 1
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Summer Jam is one of the best tournaments in Minnesota so I knew the competition was going to be high level, but my expectations were exceeded. Its a privilege to get to watch some of the best basketball players in…
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Continue ReadingSummer Jam is one of the best tournaments in Minnesota so I knew the competition was going to be high level, but my expectations were exceeded. Its a privilege to get to watch some of the best basketball players in the nation compete against each other. Girls basketball is on the rise! Here are the top performers from this weekend.
Lake Minnetonka Division 2022
I have never seen so many good teams at once. The top division for the class of 2022 was loaded with division one talent. Its always great to see how our elite (Minnesota) teams match up with the elite teams around the United States. Three kids stood out all weekend doing what they do best, EVERYTHING. The three headed monster from Hopkins are my top performers from this weekend. For the record I could really call Hopkins the 5 headed monster, or should I say 8. I’ve lost count of how many division one athletes will be on their varsity team this year.
Amaya Battle Amaya Battle 5'10" | PG Hopkins | 2022 State #29 Nation MN – Metro Stars 2022 3SSB
The combo guard proved she belong with the best guards in the nation. She made play after play. Her offense looked the best I’ve seen it, in a while. She was shifty to get to the hoop and her change of speed is hard to guard. Her stroke from beyond the arc looks really good too, she’s catching in rhythm and shooting with confidence. Her confidence should be through the roof now after announcing her commitment to play with Coach Lindsay Whalen at the University of Minnesota on Monday. I’m sure there’s a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. The buzz around Minnesota basketball is loud with her joining three of our other PGH top 5 ranked players.
Nunu Agara Nunu Agara 6'1" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State #32 Nation MN – Metro Stars 2022 3SSB
Agara had a solid weekend, showing her skill on both ends of the floor. If there was such a thing, I would say she’s a pre season favorite for defensive player of the year. She used her body to create contact and get to the rim. Her body structure and strength can push any defender out the way for an easy bucket. On defense she used her long arms to block shots down low using both hands almost like she a front center volleyball player.
Maya Nnaji Maya Nnaji 6'4" | PF Hopkins | 2022 State #7 Nation MN – FBC Real 2022 UA
Nnaji was too tough for anyone to contain. Her offensive game has become so elite that she can do it all now. She was able to post up strong and make easy buckets with her footwork. She shot off the bounce in the midrange and stepped outside the three to knock down big shots. The most underrated part of her game is that she can play both inside and out really well. Last year she started to step outside the paint to open up the floor for her team, so that they would get better and so that she would be able to contribute when teams doubled her down low. Nnaji showed us that she is one of the top dogs in the nation.
Lake Superior Division 2023
The girls in this 2023 class can straight up hoop. They are so good at scoring that they can get a bucket any time they want. The top performers from this division definitely made a name for themselves this weekend and opened a lot of eyes.
Kennedy Sanders Kennedy Sanders 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN – Minnesota Fury 2023
The point guard has been getting better and better each step of the way. This has been a phenomenal year for her, leading her team to a high school state championship and leading her MN Fury team to a second place finish at the AAU State Championships. She has so many strengths on offense, its really hard to shut her down. Her speed in transition is the first thing you’ll notice because every time she gets the ball she pushes it up the court, putting herself in position to either take it herself or pass it up to one of her teammates. One of the best one on one players I’ve ever seen. She can take anyone off the bounce and her first step will beat you every time. What makes her multi-dimensional is that she can shot from beyond the arc, she can pull up for a jumper, shoot the floater, or get you on a euro step. One of my favorite players to watch. She is a walking bucket.
Aby Shubert Aby Shubert 5'8" | CG Kasson-Mant. | 2023 State MN – Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA
The shooting guard was great this weekend with teammate Sanders, where they took over the game many times. She is automatic from the three point line especially if you leave her open. You cannot help off of her or she will go off and you don’t want to have to call a heat check on her. She has gotten really smart on her timing as to whether she should catch and shoot with her quick release or take a one dribble midrange pull up. She plays with a lot of energy and effort tracking down rebounds and making the extra pass.
Lauren Pawlyshyn Lauren Pawlyshyn 5'8" | CG Prior Lake | 2023 State MN – FBC Real 2023 UA
The point guard has flown under the radar but can pay with the best of them. She was very impressive this weekend doing it all for her team. She is a bucket getter and scores in a multitude of ways. She has a lot of offensive moves in her bag and I saw them all this weekend. She uses her great ball handling skills to take her defender one on one or she will knock down threes in your face. Her team runs a lot of off ball screens for her to get open at the three point line where she shoots it with confidence. Her most underrated skill is using the glass on the attack. I saw her break some ankles this weekend. Keep an eye out for her.
Emily Christenson Emily Christenson 5'11" | SF East Ridge | 2023 State MN – Minnesota Stars 2023
The combo guard has been getting better each time I see her, and had a tremendous weekend at summer jam. She impresses me with her basketball IQ. She has a lot of potential that she hasn’t even tapped into yet. She was great on transition, pushing the ball up the court for fast break layups or passing it up to a teammate. She’s got a nice stroke from the three where her teammates look for her knock it down. On defense she was really good at anticipating the pass and reading the passing lanes for steals.