Needless to say, there were a number of players who stood out, and here are some of the top performers from the games that I saw this past week in Minnesota.

Anthony Smith III, PG/SG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025
Perhaps the best shooter in the state of Minnesota regardless of class, Anthony Smith III provided the scoring presence that Hopkins needed to upset Wayzata, dropping 20 points (four 3-point). Smith III has shown continual improvement as both a playmaker and a slasher, showing more confidence attacking the rack and facilitating for others. Running with D1 Minnesota, Smith already holds a number of D1 offers and has firmly supplanted himself on the radar of countless programs.

Brayson Boike, 6’6, SF, Dawson Boyd HS (MN), 2025
Coming from rural Minnesota, it’s rare to get to see teams from out that way make it to the Twin Cities. Unless you’re trying to make a three hour trek in the dead of winter to remote areas of Minnesota, it’s best to seize the opportunity when these teams come to the city. Brayson Boike, a versatile 6-foot-6 forward, did not disappoint in the Grassroots Sizzle Jump City Classic. With the University of St. Thomas and North Dakota both in the house to watch him, Boike changed the game with his inside-out play and fluidity on the defensive end. He controlled the interior defensively, yet also showed his perimeter skill set by immediately grabbing the rock and initiating the offense. Running with D1 Minnesota on the 3SSB circuit, Brayson is going to be a guy who mid-major programs will be following closely.

Jayden Moore, 6’0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
The state’s best pure point guard did so much more than showed up in the box score in Hopkins’ upset victory over Wayzata. Dropping a triple double (12 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals), he made an immense impact as the catalyst for Hopkins on both ends of the hardwood. Already holding offers from Baylor, West Virginia, Illinois, and Minnesota, Moore will be the focal point of the J-Sizzle 17U team on the 3SSB Circuit.

Daveion “Davie” Hart, 6’5, SF, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025
A player who has constantly improved over the last two years, “Davie” Hart saved his best for Hopkins win over Wayzata. The lanky swingman changed the game with his length defensively, hit open 3-pointers, and showed much more assertiveness with his offensive game as a scorer than we’ve seen in the past, finishing with 22 points. The flexibility that he offers coaches on both ends of the floor will make him one of the more interesting Minnesota names to follow throughout his senior year.

C.J. Armstrong, 6’3, SG, Richfield HS (MN), 2025
Certain players have the ultimate green light, and CJ Armstrong is certainly one of those dudes for Richfield High School. Averaging 33 points per game, the bouncy scoring guard has developed with quite the reputation, continuing to build on it with his 38-point showing against perennial power DeLaSalle. CJ scored from all three levels, showed extreme confidence throughout the game, and hit a 40-foot shot at the buzzer to give Richfield a 71-70 win.

J.J. Semanko, 6’4, SG/SF, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025?
Similar to Hart, Semanko is another player who has made huge strides with his game within the past year and a half. Semanko is an elite shot blocker on the perimeter (blocks a ton of jumpshots), is a creative finisher at the rack when slashing, and has developed into a reliable 3-point shooter. Semanko is another key piece on a special group of Hopkins underclassmen that will all be receiving college scholarships.

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Holding a circuit for their own programs and events in more than a dozen states, the RecruitLook Hoops Denver Showcase brought teams from countless shoe circuits along with the RecruitLook Circuit squads. This collection of teams brought no less than 50 D-1 prospects to the Gold Crown Fieldhouse in Denver, making it an outstanding evaluation opportunity for a wide range of talent. D1 Minnesota dominated the event, with the adidas 3SSB power’s four teams combining for a 15-1 record, but there were plenty of others who stood out.

Here are a few of the top performers from the RecruitLook Denver Showcase:

Isaac Asuma, 6’3, PG, D1 Minnesota 17U, 2024
While there are certainly players who are going to put up bigger numbers, many of the biggest impacts that Asuma has on the game don’t turn up in the stat sheet. Asuma is a proven winner who uses his sturdy frame to defend multiple spots, has vastly improved as a distributor, and certainly leads by example with his play on the floor. Asuma has made continual improvement since bursting onto the scene after getting considerable time on varsity as a middle schooler, and has already popped to stay home to play for the in-state Minnesota Gophers.

J.J. Sullivan, 6’2, PG/SG, D1 Minnesota 16U, 2025
While there were bigger guards and more athletic guards at the 16U level, Sullivan may have had the most productive weekend of anyone at the sophomore level at RecruitLook. The lefty is an absolute lights out shooter who can convert both with his feet set and on the move. Not just a shooter, Sullivan is a crafty scorer who really utilizes footwork and change of pace to score with limited dribbles. The son of former Iowa State All Big 12 selection Jake Sullivan, both the lineage and his game are trending in the right direction for J.J.

Tyrin Jones, 6’7, SG/SF, Team Kongo 17U, 2025
One of the most interesting long term prospects in the event, Jones is a name that you may not have heard of yet, but undoubtedly will in the future. Having hit a ridiculous growth spurt over the past 18 months, Jones still has the guard skills that he had as a 6-footer despite now approaching 6-foot-8. The freakishly long wing showed off a great first step.

Jaeden Udean, 6’1, PG, D1 Minnesota 15U, 2027
Considered by many to be the top freshman in Minnesota, Udean has been showing that he can produce at a high level versus older competition for quite some time now. Scoring 13 points per game on varsity for a strong Columbia Heights HS (Minn.) squad as an eighth grader, the lefty was able to develop poise well beyond his years. Udean is outstanding creating separation to get his shot off, continuously keeps pressure on the defense as a scoring threat, and did a lot more as a distributor running with D1 than I saw at the high school level.

Kade Cook, 6’8, SF, NBDA 17U, 2024
One of the most versatile players of the event, Cook legitimately played all five positions at one time or another for NBDA. The Gretna, Neb. product was an outstanding facilitator no matter where he was on the hardwood, posted smaller defenders, and used his strong frame to finish through contact. Owning a number of smaller school offers, Cook is the type of positionless player that D-1 coaches love to have the flexibility to work with in today’s game.

Brayson Boike, 6’6, SF, D1 Minnesota 16U, 2025
Coming from a town of just over 1,000 people, Boike is a name that is new in recruiting circles, but he has certainly shown that he can hold his own with the finest in the Midwest. The well built 6-foot-6 wing finished through contact, showed a really nice pull-up, and has the toughness to defend bigger guys in the paint when needed. With it being Boike’s first year playing on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, there has certainly been an adjustment period, but the overall talent that he brings to the table is quite apparent.

Aiden Wanrow, 6’7, SF/PF, Rocky Mountain Select 17U, 2027
A guy who has quite a bit of buzz around him in the state of Colorado, Wanrow played with various Rocky Mountain Select teams throughout the weekend at RecruitLook, showing off his vast skill set. Preferring to play facing the rack, Wanrow showed that he’s a suitable ball handler who is capable of initiating the offense at times, despite often being the tallest player on the court for his team. When matched up against players his own age, Wanrow was able to utilize his size to convert in the paint against fellow eighth graders and has shown why he already has a buzz surrounding him despite not having entered high school.

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