These were the top performers at Check Me Out
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The Check Me Out Showcase at the Colin Powell Center in Minneapolis is one of our favorite events every year, and not just because there are no fewer than 10 amazing taco joints within two blocks! No it’s because Chris…
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Continue ReadingThe Check Me Out Showcase at the Colin Powell Center in Minneapolis is one of our favorite events every year, and not just because there are no fewer than 10 amazing taco joints within two blocks! No it’s because Chris Hansen’s Elite is Earned series brings together great players and great trainers in a great facility, and the showcase did not disappoint this past weekend. Over 40 high-quality athletes from outside of Minnesota participated along with some of this state’s very best. More than 25 girls already in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings were on hand along with at least a dozen 2023s who are likely to make the Freshmen 50 when it is released next month.
A number of players did a great job of raising their profiles on Saturday and Sunday. Others earned enough notice to warrant further viewing. And then there were the best of the best who did their thing, as well.
5 PLAYERS WHO RAISED THEIR STOCK
Amaya Doree, 2021, Champlin Park
One of the great things about Check Me Out is it allows players to demonstrate what they can do while playing with and against better players and players they are not familiar with. We have watched Doree play multiple times with the Minnesota Suns, but we have never seen Amaya play quite like this. The 5’7 guard wears a brace on her left knee but it certainly didn’t appear to hamper her quickness which was excellent. She showed us plenty of speed in the open court, lots of guile one-on-one, and the ability to finish at the rim. A perfectly executed reverse layup comes to mind. Amaya’s confidence level has clearly risen and she appears ready for a breakthrough junior year.
Sophi Hall, 2023, Holy Family
Sophi is an intriguing prospect to say the least. She’s already 6’0 with a huge wingspan and all of the natural instincts you would want to see in a young basketball player. She’s smooth and skillful and has plenty of speed, too. She elevates with ease while offering us glimpses of elite-level tools. She is also eager to get better. When I asked Hall what she had learned on the weekend she pulled out a notebook where she had scribbled all of the right answers. I was impressed! Hall has a thin frame and will need some time to fill out. She doesn’t even turn 15 until the high school season ends. Given the fact that dad is 6’7 and mom played Division 1 college basketball I’m thinking this kid’s ceiling is very, very high. Apparently we are not alone in that regard as Sophi has been snapped up by coach Matt Froehle to play for Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA next summer.
Kiani Lockett of DeLaSalle has had plenty to smile about in 2019. (Photo courtesy of the StarTribune)Kiani Lockett, 2022, DeLaSalle
Kiani is hardly an unknown as her top 15 Prep Girls Hoops ranking in the Class of 2022 will attest. Once known as the little guard with goggles, Lockett is fast becoming the can’t-miss Division 1 prospect. At a lengthy 5’9 with terrific handles, unlimited range and superior skills, Lockett was on fire this weekend. She runs the show like a D1 point guard is supposed to – with poise, precision and a great sense of timing. Lockett missed the better part of year with a torn ACL but returned in the latter part of the high school season to lead DeLaSalle to the Class 3A state title. This weekend she was every bit as good and more, and now a whole lot more people will know about Lockett nationally. Kiani is fast becoming the complete package.
Abby Krzewinski, 2023, Wayzata
Abby could not be more different from Sophia in build, strength or style of play, but her ceiling may be nearly as high. The 5’10 forward is powerful with a big frame and a willingness to absorb and initiate contact. Krzewinski isn’t exactly smooth but she is incredibly effective and much quicker than she looks. She’s also much improved in a number of areas over the past few months including her ball handling, shot selection and shooting mechanics. It’s clear Abby is putting in the work to get better and it shows. After taking the decision to make a change in AAU clubs, Krzewinski was one of the most highly sought players in this year’s recruiting blitz. She, too, has landed with Fury 2023 UAA and its not inconceivable that everyone on the roster now makes the Freshmen 50.
Maren Westin, 2023, Becker
Maren played in the state 3A championship game, too, but in a much lower-profile role for the runners-up from Becker. Westin won’t be keeping it on the down-low for much longer. The 5’7 guard is one of the most athletic players in the class and she showed it at Check Me Out. This kid has got some serious hops! She’s a terrific ball handler, a great shooter and she gets to the rim against bigger, stronger players on a regular basis. Her creativity in traffic is impressive, although she may need to dial that back a notch to have a breakout freshman season at Becker. Maren’s biggest need at the moment is exposure and high-level competition and she gained both over the weekend. This is a player who could be top 10 in the class. There’s height in the family and a measuring tape on standby.
3 MORE WE’LL BE WATCHING
Greta Hillukka, 2022, Perham
If the name sounds familiar that’s because Greta was a member of the 2019 Class A state tournament team from Menahga. The 5’8 sophomore guard has transferred to Perham this season and committed to play AAU next summer for West Central United. She’s strong and stocky and well worth watching.
Lauren Pawlyshyn, 2023, Prior Lake
Listed at 5’8, Lauren is a point guard with nice handles who played this summer for Ryan Martin’s 43 Hoops 2023 squad. She showed us some quality skills, good quickness and a nice feel for the game. We’ll be playing closer attention in the months ahead.
Olivia Olson, 2024, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Olson is super long with great athleticism, and the 8th grader elevates to the neighborhood of the rim with ease. This is a natural athlete who is already 5’10 and growing. It’s very early but based on what we saw in Minneapolis this is a player with plenty of potential.
TOP MINNESOTA PERFORMERS
Paige Bueckers was on hand for the Saturday session and once again demonstrated the many tools in her tool box. Of course she was the best player there. We didn’t see everyone play but these are the top 5 Minnesota performers we watched.
Kendall Coley of St. Louis Park is a high D1 prospect.Kendall Coley – Coley is at her best when the competition is the strongest. The 6’2 2021 forward from St. Louis Park, who has power conference schools lining up in the driveway, was in fine form Saturday. Man can she shoot it.
Nunu Agara – Is there anything the 6’1 forward from Hopkins cannot do? Agara, who is one of the top two or three players in the Class of 2023, went toe to toe with players from around the country and came out on top most of the time.
Gianna Kneepkens – Kneepkens had a soccer game on Saturday so she only participated on Sunday but as usual the 5’11 2021 guard from Duluth Marshall made her presence felt. Giana was dominating in all phases of the game.
Mikayla Aumer – Aumer knows how to make an impression at camps and showcases. The 5’9 2022 guard from Cambridge-Isanti simply outhustles everyone else and it’s impossible not to notice. Now she’s got the skills to go with the energy.
Kiani Lockett – Kiani was among our stock raisers above so no need to elaborate further. She was also one of the top overall performers at Check Me Out. This is a kid with a very bright future.
Top photo: Maren Westin of Becker (#45) and Mikayla Aumer of Cambridge-Isanti (with the ball) were two of the top performers at the Check Me Out showcase in Minneapolis. (Photo courtesy of Prospects Nation)