Cherry (Junction, Minn.) cruised to the MSHSL state title in Class A (Minnesota’s smallest division), led by the Asuma family. Isaac is heading to the University of Minnesota, Noah (2026) is an elite baseball prospect who also has the ability to play college basketball, and Isaiah (2027) is next in line, but is already playing his third year of varsity basketball. The township of less than 1,000 people cruised to a 78-40 win over Fertile-Beltrami (Fertile, Minn.) to take home their first state title.

The Breck School (Golden Valley, Minn.) is another first time winner of their first state tournament in the state’s AA division. Coached by Tyus Jones’ high school teammate and former Howard Pulley AAU coach Harry Sonie, Breck was paced by Wisconsin-bound playmaker Daniel Freitag, who used his energy and leadership to push his teammates on both ends. The alma mater of Memphis Grizzlies forward David Roddy, Breck ultimately topped Lake City (Minn.), 76-72, to take home the crown.

The most talented team in the state from top to bottom, Totino-Grace (Fridley, Minn.) took home their third consecutive AAA state title, topping Mankato East (Mankato, Minn.), 73-64. Coach Nick Carroll has a squad that has been building over the years and keeps reloading, sporting a roster that will likely have eight eventual D-1 players by the time that it is all said and done. Losing a minimal amount of seniors from this year’s team, T-G will be the early favorites to hit a 4-peat next season.

In the biggest upset of the day, Minnetonka (Minn.) upset FAB 50 No. 36 Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.), 72-61, to take home the AAAA title, Minnesota’s largest division. Coach Bryce Tesdahl had an upperclassmen-laden squad that played with grit on both ends, unselfishness, and extreme continuity in what was an absolutely electric final game that wrapped up Minnesota’s 2023-24 high school season.

Here are a few of the top performers from the 2024 MSHSL State Tournament:

Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, 6’7, SF/PF, Totino-Grace HS (MN), 2024
Changing his role throughout the season, Johnson-Arigu became the facilitator for Totino-Grace as a 6-foot-7 point forward and yet another state title followed. Posting averages of 26.5 points, 13 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks in the Final Four, Isaiah showed the immense versatility and improvement that he’s made to develop into a high major prospect. After transferring from Osseo as a sophomore, Johnson-Arigu completed the journey of winning back-to-back state titles to finish his high school career and begin his next chapter at Miami in the ACC.

Daniel Freitag, 6’3, PG, Breck School (MN), 2024
Minnesota’s top wide receiver on the gridiron, Freitag opted to hang up his cleats during his senior year, but still brings that football toughness to the basketball court. After playing varsity for four years at Bloomington Jefferson HS (he played as an eighth grader), Freitag flirted with transferring to So Cal Academy for his senior year before opting to stay at home and make history at the Breck School with a first state championship for the program. The sturdy guard was ridiculous finishing through contact at the rack, provided an outstanding presence on the glass from the backcourt, and offered his patented lockdown defense on the perimeter. The future Wisconsin Badger capped his high school career with 33 points, eight rebounds, and five steals in Breck’s four point victory over Lake City.

Andy Stefonowicz, 6’1, PG, Minnetonka HS (MN), 2024
One of the state’s more crafty players, Stefonowicz showed how much he could impact the game with things that don’t show up in the box score. An incredibly heady lead guard, Stefonowicz showed immense patience and poise en route to his 19-0point, 8-rebound, 5-assist showing in the AAAA title game. Heading to North Dakota State next year, Andy’s combination of IQ, ability to play out of ball screens, and intangibles should allow him to see playing time early on.

Casmir “Cash” Chavis, 6’3, PG, Park Center HS (MN), 2024
Despite suffering a shocking loss to Eagan in the quarterfinals, Park Center bounced back to win the consolation championship on the back of its elite senior point guard. Putting up straight up video game numbers of 26.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 5.6 steals per game throughout the three games this week, the future Washington Huskies’ catalyst left no doubt in anyone’s minds who the most exciting guard in the state of Minnesota was with his electric style play and charisma on the court.

Isaac Asuma, 6’3, PG, Cherry HS (MN), 2024
Another player whose presence is felt well beyond the stat line, Isaac Asuma wrapped up his storied high school career as a state champion. The gritty guard is an outstanding cutter when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, is elite finishing through contact, and has shown the ability to guard all three perimeter positions. The Minnesota recruit showed how he will be able to make an impact all over the floor with his play on Saturday, posting 12 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, five blocks, and three steals in the championship game.

Jaeden Udean, 6’2, PG/SG, DeLaSalle HS (MN), 2027
As the MSHSL State Tournament went on, Udean continued to solidify his case for best freshman in the state of Minnesota. The electric lefty scorer showcased NBA range on his 3-point shot, was outstanding creating separation to get to his shot, and showed no shortage of confidence letting it fly during critical moments of the game. Udean averaged double digits on varsity as an eighth grader last year and played up on the 3SSB circuit with D1 Minnesota, preparing him for big moments like this.

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The section finals offered no shortage of excitement as well, though. With all three games that we took in throughout the week being sold out, the atmosphere was like no other. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.) beat Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) in the section 6AAAA final to take a 2-1 victory in their 2023-24 trilogy to move up to No. 36 in the latest FAB 50 National Rankings, Orono beat Benilde St. Margaret’s in double OT in the section 6AAA final in a game that had three separate buzzer beaters that broke the internet, and private power Breck School cruising to the section 5AA title over Minneapolis North.

Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, PF, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024
The state’s top senior certainly lived up to his reputation, pouring in 40 points in a 105-76 win over rival Hopkins to advance to the state tournament. The versatile forward showed his effortless 3-point range, scored out of quick flashes in the post, and blew by defenders trying to run him off the 3-point line. McAndrew is the highest ranked recruit ever to head to Creighton, where he should be able to make an immediate impact with his deep range and offensive versatility as a forward. Jackson was also recently selected to play in the prestigious Iverson Classic in May.

Nolan Groves, 6’5, PG/SG, Orono HS (MN), 2025
There hasn’t been a junior in the state of Minnesota who has helped themselves more in the high school season than 6-foot-5 combo guard Nolan Groves of Orono. The J-Sizzle guard continued to add to this sentiment in the section finals. He dropped 43 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists in a double OT victory while making a half court shot at the buzzer that was No. 1 on ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 to send Orono to States. Groves showed his effortless 3-point range, underrated ability to drop pocket passes, and ability to utilize his size against smaller guards in his legendary performance in what has been one of the better games in recent Minnesota playoff history. Groves has already visited St. Thomas, but has also heard from high major programs such as Clemson, Iowa, and Northwestern.

Daniel Freitag, 6’2, PG, Breck HS (MN), 2024
The epitome of a power point guard, Daniel Freitag has been an absolute game changer on both ends during his senior season. Doubling as the top wide receiver in the state of Minnesota, Freitag opted to focus on hoops at the next level and it has shown with his growth as a lead guard. Daniel used his toughness/athleticism to lock down all three perimeter spots, made outstanding passes with both hands, and ripped the rim off at every time he attacked the rack. The Wisconsin signee dropped an easy 27 points en route to a state tournament berth for Breck.

Brady Wooley, 6’9, PF, Orono HS (MN), 2025
One of the most intriguing players in Minnesota’s junior class, Brady Wooley is everything that you look for in a new age forward and showed that against BSM with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. The agile big man with great hands is versatile enough to contain defensively on the perimeter, can playmake for others from the post position, and is skilled enough to punish you facing the basket. Wooley holds an offer from Ivy League power Yale and has already visited the likes of Iowa State and Minnesota.

Jaleel Donley, 6’2, PG, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025
While it was a disappointing end to the season, the fastest guard in the state of Minnesota ended his junior campaign in about as impressive of fashion as one could imagine. The lefty junior playmaker has shown consistent improvement on his 3-point shot (including three to send game to first overtime), is outstanding passing the rock with both hands, and is a truly electric finisher once he gets into the paint. Donley is still a bit under the radar nationally, but shouldn’t be for much longer once he hits the EYBL with Howard Pulley.

Marcus Marshall Jr., 5’11, PG, Minneapolis North HS (MN), 2027
Many freshmen emerge throughout their freshman campaigns, and Marcus Marshall Jr. was certainly one of those dudes who kept growing, both in terms of stature and in terms of his game. He is a confident 3-point shooter with super deep range, owns super sneaky athleticism, and will make you pay if you try to run him off the three point line. Marcus is coached by former NBA sparkplug scorer Ricky Davis and wrapped up his freshman campaign with 31-point and 17-point games in the playoffs, finishing with a 14.9 PPG average on the year.

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Here are some of the top underclassmen that I saw in the state of Minnesota over the past week:

Tian Chatman, 6’5, PG/SG, Totino-Grace HS (MN), 2026
The younger brother of Ohio State point guard Taison Chatman has shown an abundance of potential since entering high school a year and a half ago, but is really starting to get things to click in the second half of his sophomore campaign for back to back state champion Totino-Grace. The lanky combo guard has outstanding court vision, is a big time finisher above the rim, and is rapidly developing into a serious on ball defender. Toss in the fact that his 3-point shot is gaining more consistency (hit 3 3PT vs Champlin Park) and you see why high major programs have already begun closely monitoring Chatman.

Jaeden Udean, 6’2, PG/SG, DeLaSalle HS (MN), 2027
Considered by many to be the best freshman in the state of Minnesota, Jaeden Udean doesn't even start for perennial power DeLaSalle, yet is the team's leading scorer and showed why against Cretin Derham Hall. The electric lefty was face guarded the entire game, being forced to continually stay on the move, yet also do whatever he had to do to find ways to get his shot off. Opting to revert back to his 3-point shot off the bounce quite often, Udean is constantly able to create separation with his step back and side step to get to his jumpshot. Jaeden will be running with D1 Minnesota on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit this summer.

Joseph Mitchell, 6’1, PG, Cretin Derham Hall (MN), 2026
Yet another interesting underclassman lead guard in Minnesota, Joseph “JoeJoe” Mitchell may be the best overall scorer as far as guards in the sophomore class are concerned. The confident scorer dropped 24 points on DeLaSalle via a flurry of quick release jumpshots, first step drives to the rack, and jumpers off the bounce. Mitchell will be running with Chatman on the AAU circuit for one of the state’s more interesting 2026 squads in Team FSA.

Monteff Dixon, 6’5, PF, Cretin Derham Hall (MN), 2025
A bit of a throwback forward, Monteff Dixon controlled the paint for CDH in their win over DeLaSalle. The long armed junior punished guys on the block with his crafty finishes, made great passes out of the post, and absolutely controlled the glass on both ends. Monteff finished the game with 26 points and 16 rebounds in dominant fashion, but also doubles as a serious football recruit.

Preston Thielke, 6’3, SG, Champlin Park HS (MN), 2025
As far as productivity is concerned, Preston Thielke got it done against back to back defending state champion Totino-Grace. Thielke is a high IQ player with a bit of an unorthodox game, but his style of play and ability to shoot it from deep make him an exceptionally tough player to defend. Preston is certainly going to be one of the sleeper names in the state to follow on the AAU circuit this spring.

Kwatamah Silikpoh , 5’10, PG, Champlin Park HS (MN), 2027
If you were to dive into statistics, there haven't been many who have done more in the freshman class in the state of Minnesota at the varsity level than Kwatamah Silikpoh. While under 6-foot at the moment, the lead guard is a crazy finisher at the rack, has unbelievably quick hands defensively, and is a threat to score any time that he has the rock in his hands. Silikpoh will be suiting up with D1 Minnesota on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit this spring.

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Here are some of the top performers that I saw in the past week throughout Cleveland and Minnesota:

Kyle Jorgensen, 6’9, C, Minneapolis Washburn (MN), 2024
One of the most productive players in the state of Minnesota, Kyle Jorgensen continued his storied high school career by keeping Minneapolis Washburn undefeated (12-0) in city league play with wins over South and North. Jorgensen is the epitome of a playmaking center, is perfectly comfortable playing facing the rack, yet also has a strong repertoire of moves with his back to the basket. Jorgensen?is the next Minnesota player in Nico Medved’s rapidly developing Minnesota pipeline and has shown constant growth throughout his high school career.

Luke Skaljac, 6’1, PG, Brecksville Broadview Heights HS (OH), 2024
Arguably the best pure scorer in the Cleveland area, Luke Skaljac showed why he’s going to be able to help Miami (OH) at the D-1 level against perennial power Lakewood St. Edward’. The lefty is outstanding at creating separation for his shot, utilizing his off arm exceptionally well and throwing defenders off with his extreme change of pace. Skaljac’s ability to make tough shots and create for himself/others should allow him to contribute in the MAC next year.

Jayden Moore, 6’0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
As far as pure point guards are concerned, there aren’t many better in the class of 2026 than Jayden Moore. The two way guard from J- Sizzle totally controlled the offense when we saw him, put immense pressure on the rock defensively, and was exceptional rebounding the ball from the backcourt. Moore already has six triple doubles this season and is the catalyst for a Hopkins squad that has the potential to do some damage in the Minnesota State Tournament.

Wendell Henry, 6’6, PF, St. Edward HS (OH), 2024
A versatile big man, Wendell Henry punished Brecksville en route to St. Ed’s 74-65 upset victory. He continually exploited mismatches with smaller defenders on the block, showed great touch facing the basket, and even made plays for others both facing up and with his back to the basket. Henry ultimately finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while reminding everyone in attendance why he’s one of the best unsigned seniors in Northeast Ohio.

Bryan Vlosich, 6’3, SG, St. Edward HS (OH), 2026
With Lakewood St. Edward being one of Ohio’s perennial powers in high school hoops, it’s rare that you see a player seemingly come out of nowhere from the JV squad to becoming an impact player on the varsity squad. Bryan Vlosich has done just that. A lights out shooter with grit, the sophomore shows no shortage of confidence, letting it fly from deep, and has shown the ability to contain defensively. Vlosich is one of the bright young names that has emerged this season in the Cleveland area.

Brady Ganley, 6’3, SG, Brecksville-Broadview Heights HS (OH), 2025
In terms of wings in the Cleveland area, Brady Ganley has quietly established himself as one of the better shooters in the junior class. Owning no shortage of confidence and an underrated first step, Ganely can hurt you when left open, yet will also make you pay with his two-dribble pull-up if you close out on him wildly. Having had a number of monster games on the Under Armour circuit with Ohio Basketball Club, Brady will be a focal point for OBC’s 17U team this spring/summer.

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Here are a few of the top players who I evaluated in the past week (Jan. 29-Feb. 3) in Minnesota:

Dothan Ijadimbola, 6’6, SF, Totino-Grace (MN), 2026
Considered by many to be the top sophomore in the state of Minnesota, Dothan Ijambola showed considerable growth thus far throughout his sophomore campaign, especially with his confidence as a shooter. He looked far more comfortable shooting the three with his feet set, was automatic with his mid-range pull-up, and is learning to utilize his length on both ends. Ijadimbola is ranked in the top-50 nationally and already holds offers from the likes of Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, 6’7, SF/PF, Totino-Grace (MN), 2024
One of the most physically punishing players in the state, Isaiah Johnson-Arigu has developed into everything you look for out of a new age forward. He is skilled enough to straight line beat you off the bounce, is fluid enough to make a second move once help defenders step up, and immediately looks to punish smaller defenders in the post by showcasing his strength. Heading to play in the ACC for Miami, Johnson-Arigu has the versatility to earn minutes sooner rather than later, especially as he continues to take his three point shot to new heights.

Nolan Groves, 6’4, PG/SG, Orono HS (MN), 2025
In one of the more dynamic scoring outputs of the season, Nolan Groves dropped 50 points in front of an Iowa assistant coach in a St. Louis Park squad that has two D-1 prospects themselves in Groves’ AAU teammates Micah and Marley Curtis. He drilled a number of deep 3-pointers, was automatic with his mid-range game, and also made some really nice passes out of pick and roll play. Groves will be running on the 3SSB Circuit with J-Sizzle and is continuing to build a name for himself in recruiting circles.

Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, PF, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024
The state’s top player from the defending state champions bounced back after their loss to Hopkins, averaging 28 points per game over the last three Wayzata wins. He scored 31 points against a super tough Minnetonka team, showed a ton of promise as a facilitator/playmaker, and is constantly getting more confident in finishing through contact when attacking the basket despite his slender frame. McAndrew is Creighton’s highest ranked recruit in recent memory and should contribute from day one.

Nolen Anderson, 6’6, SG, Eden Prairie HS (MN), 2026
In an absolute electric performance, Nolen Anderson firmly established himself as one of the best in Minnesota’s 2026 class, dropping 33 points against defending state champ Totino-Grace. Having grown to a legit 6-foot-6, the shooting guard has also developed into much more than a standstill shooter. He is great playing out of dribble handoffs, is constantly relocating without the ball, and scoring on straight line drives. Nolen will be running with D1 Minnesota on the 3SDB Circuit this spring and is bound to blow up.

Tyler Wagner, 6’5, SG, Totino-Grace (MN), 2025
A player who just keeps getting better, Tyler Wagner continues to evolve as a modern day two guard. He is an automatic shooter with his feet set, but also has a nice first step for straight line drives and has no problem going up and dunking on you. As Wagner’s ability to continually score off the bounce continues to improve, more offers will follow. However, he already has a number of D1 offers with many others closely monitoring.

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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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Given the fact that Minnesota only has two D-1 programs (University of Minnesota and St. Thomas), the D-2 culture is very strong in the far north. Concordia St. Paul offers a gorgeous Gangelhoff Center that offers more than many low D-1 facilities do. Head coach Matt Fletcher, assistant Nick Perrin, and the rest of the staff do an outstanding job of putting together not just elite high school programs, but a myriad of intriguing college prospects together for the two day event.

Here are a few of the standouts from the 2023 Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic:

Chiang Ring, 6’9, PF/C, Park Center (MN), 2024
The best unsigned senior in the state of Minnesota showed why he’s also a hot commodity in the Midwest, dropping 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 blocks vs Minnetonka. Ring is such an interesting prospect because he is a new age big with great timing as a shot blocker, the range to contain defensively on the perimeter, and showed a ton of promise as a 3-point shooter. Holding a dozen D1 offers, Ring has already been on campus at New Mexico and still will be taking more visits in the spring.

Jayden Daisy, 6’5, SF, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2024
One of the better unsigned seniors in the state of Minnesota, Daisy certainly lived up to the hype at the CSP Holiday Classic. The long armed senior used his length to defend a multitude of positions, posted up smaller defenders, and was tough to stop as a straight line driver. Doubling as a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, the future is bright for the Howard Pulley wing with whichever sport that he chooses to play.

Casmir Chavis, 6’3, PG, Park Center (MN), 2024
The best point guard in the state of Minnesota showed it yet again at the Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic, dropping 24 points and 7 assists in a dog fight against Minnetonka. “Cash” can simply get into the lane at will, is an elite finisher with creativity at the rack, and is arguably the best on ball defender in the backcourt in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Heading to Washington next year, Chavis’ explosiveness on both ends and ability to put pressure on the rock will allow him to receive minutes from day one.

Isaac Asuma, 6’3, PG/SG, Cherry HS (MN), 2024
The leader of the back to back defending Minnesota A champs played to his reputation, showing the massive potential that he has as a two-way guard. Asuma used his length to create a ton of deflections, showed off an improved first step, and played above the rim on both ends of the floor. Already signed with Minnesota, Gophers head coach Ben Johnson was in the building to check out his future combo guard throughout the event.

Jaleel Donley, 6’2, PG, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025
Perhaps the fastest player end to end in the state of Minnesota, Donley changed the game on both ends with his blazing speed at the CSP Holiday Classic. The lefty is an absolute blur in transition, is a superb passer with both hands, and uses his freakish athleticism to consistently finish above the rim over the top of the defense. Still wide open in terms of his recruitment, Minnesota’s best junior guard is beginning to receive high major interest and should continue to running with Howard Pulley in the EYBL.

Jordan Cain, 6’3, SG, Minnetonka HS (MN), 2024
Another one of the better unsigned guys left on the board, Cain is the absolute model of productivity and consistency for an outstanding Minnetonka team. Cain is an elite cutter, is absolutely fearless attacking the rim (especially going right), and is continually improving as a jump shooter. Toss in the fact that he is a big time defender and it’s easy to see why there’s so much intrigue surrounding Cain for the late signing period.

Owen Waldoch, 6’6, PF, Forest Lake HS (MN), 2024
In one of the bigger upsets of the event, Forest Lake knocked off back to back state champion Cherry in the opening game of Thursday’s play at Concordia St. Paul, and much of that was due to the play of Owen Waldoch. Waldoch has good footwork, a really nice touch facing the basket, and shows promise as a facilitator from the power forward spot. Heading to host Concordia St. Paul, the new age forward will have the potential to make an immediate impact with his inside/out play.

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Held at various locations throughout Minnesota, the Breakdown Fall League has the vast majority of the state's top programs playing in one of their events at some point throughout the fall. While the squads can't be coached by head coaches, the Breakdown Fall League still offers extremely competitive play and serves as a great opportunity to evaluate players from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Here are a few of the standouts from the opening week of the Breakdown Fall League:

Casmir Chavis, 6’3, PG, Park Center HS (MN), 2024
The state’s best unsigned senior showed his ability to impact the game on both ends of the court at the Breakdown Fall League. Chavis is an exceptional on ball defender, collecting double digit steals in the two games combined on Sunday. He showcased his freakish athleticism with creative finishes at the rack, played through contact on both ends, and brought no shortage of infectious energy to Park Center. Having narrowed his list to Georgia, Arizona State, West Virginia, and Washington, the J-Sizzle playmaker will be announcing his college decision on November 3rd.

Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, SF/PF, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024
It’s been a wild year for Jackson McAndrew. The 6-foot-9 versatile forward won a state title for Wayzata, saw his stock skyrocket to the point that he is now a consensus top-50 recruit, and is the highest ranked player to sign with Creighton in recent memory. McAndrew is an effortless shooter both off the bounce and off the catch who knows how to utilize his size to create mismatches. The Howard Pulley senior also showed growth as a playmaker, initiating the offense countless times throughout the day. Overall, Jackson has had one of the highest ascensions of anyone in the class of 2024 over the past year and has certainly solidified himself as the front runner for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball.

Christian Wiggins, 6’4, SG, Wayzata HS (MN), 2026
A transfer from Benilde St. Margaret’s, Christian Wiggins will benefit greatly playing alongside Jackson McAndrew in Wayzata’s open offense. Wiggins is one of the better shooters in the state, possessing effortless range and no shortage of confidence to let it fly. Having grown to 6-foot-4, his newfound height and added athleticism have taken him to a new level as a prospect, making him one of Minnesota’s very best in 2026.

Jackson Fowlkes, 6’5, SG, Park Center HS (MN), 2024
In today’s era when everyone wants shooters who can defend, Jackson Fowlkes is a hot commodity. He is outstanding playing out of dribble hand-offs, is a threat to shoot it anywhere out to 24 feet when his feet are set, and brings the versatility to defend a variety of positions. While Fowlkes has been on campus at a number of D1 schools, a college decision does not appear to be on the horizon anytime soon.

Tian Chatman, 6’3, PG, Totino-Grace (MN), 2026
In terms of the look test, Tian Chatman has everything one desires out of an ideal point guard prospect. He stands a legit 6-foot-3 with crazy length and possesses the ability to really distribute the rock with both hands. The younger brother of Ohio State lead guard Taison Chatman is one of the highest upside players in the class of 2026 that the state of Minnesota has to offer.

Jordan Cain, 6’3, SF, Minnetonka HS (MN), 2024
One of the state’s better unsigned seniors, Jordan Cain is the type of glue guy that colleges dream of. He can defend anywhere from the point guard to the power forward spot, brings an incredible amount of toughness to the court, and is fearless attacking the rim. Cain had a number of big games running with Howard Pulley on the AAU circuit and is bound for a monster senior campaign at Minnetonka.

Kevin Armstrong, 6’6, SF, Breck School (MN), 2024
As far as in state sleepers with upside are concerned, Kevin Armstrong is one of those guys who has definitely gotten the attention of college coaches. Armstrong has ideal size at a 6-foot-6, brings defensive versatility with his long arms (6’11 wingspan), and has shown serious flashes of being a knockdown three point shooter. The high academic senior has already stepped foot on campus at a number of Ivy League schools and will be an interesting name to follow in Minnesota during the late signing period.

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Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, 6'7, SF, Totini-Grace HS (MN), 2024
There may not be a player in Minnesota who has improved himself more in the past year and a half than Johnson-Arigu, and it showed yet again at this event. Johnson-Arigu is the epitome of a power wing, using his versatility to initiate the offense and defend countless positions, yet uses his ridiculous frame to punish defenders anytime that he gets into the paint. The son of a trainer, Isaiah uses his outstanding footwork on both ends and is an essential piece in a loaded Miami class.

Jayden Moore, 6'0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
The true definition of a catalyst, Moore showed why he's not only the best 2026 point guard in Minnesota, but one of the best in the nation for the sophomore class. Having played varsity since seventh grade, he has an inmate poise on the hardwood similar to that of a college player. Moore constantly is one pass ahead, is learning to make defenses pay on going under screens on him with his jumper, and infects others with his cerebral play. Moore has already been on campus a number of times at Minnesota, but also holds offers from Illinois, Baylor, and West Virginia.

Daniel Freitag, 6'2, PG/SG, Breck School (MN), 2024
After briefly deciding to attend Southern Cal Academy, Freitag is back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for his senior campaign and is making huge strides as a playmaker. The freak athlete was exceptionally patient with his changes of speeds, made high level passes to cutters/shooters, and was a threat to turn the corner every time he was in ball screens. Despite being the top wide receiver in the state of Minnesota, Freitag has committed to Wisconsin for basketball instead.

Chace Watley, 6'2, PG/SG, Totino Grace HS (MN), 2025
Playing for an absolutely loaded high school team, not everyone is going to put up huge numbers and sometimes you just have to wait your turn to get your shine on. With Top 50 2023 point guard Taison Chatman on campus at Ohio State, it is now Watley 's turn to run the show for the two-time defending state champion Totino-Grace. The explosive lefty was outstanding finishing through contact, defended both backcourt spots, and played with a confidence we hadn't seen before out of him last Sunday.

Chiang Ring, 6'8, PF/C, Park Center HS (MN), 2024
The best shot blocker in Minnesota lived up to his billing at the Breakdown Premier League, totally controlling the interior this past Sunday. Ring showed off his outstanding timing, played with verticality, and moved his feet on the perimeter well enough to contain in space defensively. While defense is certainly his calling card at this point, Chiang has also shown long term potential as a lob threat and corner 3-point shooter. After seeing his recruitment hit a stalemate for a bit, Ring picked up nearly a dozen D1 offers after his play with J-Sizzle on the adidas 3SSB circuit.

Miles Newton, 6'4, SG/SF, Breck School (MN), 2025
While he isn't the biggest name in the state of Minnesota, Newton is the type of guy who college coaches need to be aware of. The angular wing shot the ball well from three, used his length to defend a variety of spots, and displayed really nice vision as an off the ball playmaker. Running with Howard Pulley in the EYBL, Newton is a name that you will assuredly be hearing more of.

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Here are a few of the top performers from the Minnesota Heat x Select Starting Point:

Jayden Moore, 5’10, PG, J-Sizzle 16U 3SSB, 2026
One of the most promising high school players in the state of Minnesota, Moore averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game as a freshman for powerhouse Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) in his third year of varsity hoops (he played as a seventh and eighth grader). Moore is an outstanding on-ball defender (coincidentally, he owns offers from defensive powers Baylor and West Virginia), is elite at pushing the ball ahead in transition, and is a scoring threat any time that he has the ball in his hands. “Judah” is the next in line from a storied Hopkins program that has put the likes of Amir Coffey, Zeke Nnaji, and Kris Humphries in the league.

Isaac Asuma, 5’11, PG, D1 Minnesota, 2027
The next in line for the Asuma family (cousins Isaac and Noah are both standout players in their own right), Isaac Asuma has two seasons of varsity ball under his belt and hasn’t even finished his eighth grade academic year. The D1 Minnesota point guard has long arms, can finish through contact at the rack, and maintains his presence on the floor at all times. Having played in two consecutive MSHSL Final Fours at the high school level, Asuma has the poise and experience to do damage against players his own age, as seen by D1 Minnesota’s title in the 15U red division.

Marley Curtis, 6’6, SF, J-Sizzle 3SSB, 2025
A player who has really turned the corner in the past year, Curtis is everything that you look for out of a forward in today’s game. The St.Louis Park sophomore has a powerfully built frame with 6-foot-10 wingspan, can overpower smaller defenders, and was a really reliable 3-point shooter over the weekend (especially from the corners). Curtis just took an unofficial visit to UNLV a week ago and there will be many more to follow.

Tyler Forrest, 6’1, PG, Team Tyus, 2027
Getting it done as an eighth grader on varsity, Forrest averaged 9.6 points per game as a starter for Chaska and showed he was on another level playing against players his own age. Forrest is a creative finisher in the paint, is very patient, and has an automatic pullup jumper off of the bounce. While it’s still incredibly early, many feel that Forrest has already established himself as one of the better lead guards in the Midwest for 2027.

Malachi Hill, 5’11, PG, PJ Hoops, 2027
The younger brother of former Ohio State point guard and overseas pro P.J. Hill, Malachi Hill certainly owns the same type of cerebral game that allowed his brother to contribute in the Big Ten. The athletic lead guard is a gifted passer, has a whole bag of finishes at the cup, and has legit awareness playing out of ball screens. Having played varsity ball as an eighth grader (scored 5 PPG) for Minneapolis South, Hill is another one of the talented lead guards in Minnesota’s 2027 class.

Harrison Aligbe, 6’6, J-Sizzle, 2025
Aligbe didn’t put up huge numbers for Minnesota powerhouse Minnehaha Academy, but that certainly does not mean that he’s not a prospect you want to keep an eye on. The versatile forward is an active defender who can guard multiple spots, is a high activity rebounder on both ends, and is developing as a 3-point shooter. He is the younger brother of Boston College freshman starter Prince Aligbe and continually improving 6’8 Rolyns Aligbe, so there are no shortage of factors working in his favor for the future.

Ty Schlagel, 6’5, SF, PJ Hoops, 2027
Blending size and perimeter skill, Schlagel was the leading scorer for a PJ Hoops squad that won their 15U division playing up a year. A mid-range assassin, the Eden Prairie wing is automatic with his pull-up J off the bounce and has outstanding touch on his floater. The rising freshman is also a threat beyond the 3-point arc and capable straight line driver. Like many on this list, Schlagel saw some varsity playing time as an eighth grader.

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Between the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Series and the Twin Cities Senior Expo, we were able to take in eight games filled with seniors writing the final chapters on their high school career. Dissimilar to most spots in the country, the seniors in Minnesota played the games like they were playing for money because in fact, many of them were. The bulk of the high major players in the state took some time off to rest, so this gave some of the lesser known D1 talent a chance to shine and show their games in front of the 50+ college coaches in attendance between the various events.

Here are the top performers from the MNBCA All Star Series and Twin Cities Senior Expo:

Patrick Bath, 6’9, PF/C, Totino Grace (Fridley, Minn.)
The best big left on the board in Minnesota, Patrick Bath ended his legacy on top again as a state champion with Totino-Grace. Playing with a high motor on both ends, the D1 Minnesota senior owns a super quick baseline spin on the block and has become increasingly more confident as a scorer. The North Dakota native has already taken multiple visits to D-1 programs with a decision possible to come any day now.

Erick Reader, 6’8, PF, New Life Academy (Woodbury, Minn.)
Consistently adding to his game throughout his high school career, Erick Reader ended things with a spot in the state title game with New Life Academy. The J-Suggs Sizzle forward has great mobility defensively, has a promising frame that can add weight, and has continuously expanded range on his jumpshot. Reader is Big Ten bound and will be for the University of Minnesota.

J.J. Ware, 6’6, SF, Park Center (Brooklyn Park, Minn.)
A player whom I had seen prior to entering high school, JJ Ware put on a show at the CP3 Rising Stars Camp before entering 9th grade, then was faced with a series of unfortunate injuries that forced him to miss a considerable amount of time. The road to recovery seemed like it was getting there for the coach’s son (father is former Texas Tech player, D-1 college assistant, and current Park Center coach James Ware) finally got back to his usual self for his final campaign. Owning ideal size for his position, Ware showed the ability to create mismatches with his sturdy frame and ability to take slower defenders out on the wing. His three point shot has reached new levels in terms of consistency and JJ will be able to show that running with Howard Pulley in the EYBL.

Adam Jenkins, 6’9, PF/C, Moorhead (Minn.)
Given the insanity that is the NCAA transfer portal, there are no shortage of D-2 guys who make their ways to the D-1 level and contribute immediately. Adam Jenkins has the potential to be one of those guys. Jenkins is a quick leaper who plays above the rim at both ends, has an intriguing three point shot, and has the tools to develop for Minnesota D2 power Moorhead State in the NSIC

C.J. O’Hara, 6’4, SG/SF, Park Center (Brooklyn Park, Minn.)
A dude who has been getting it done at a high level ever since he entered high school, CJ O’Hara produced at three of Minnesota’s perennial powerhouse programs. O’Hara has shown that he can defend all three perimeter spots, is a great finisher in transition, and has made strides as a three point shooter. CJ is another one of the transfer portal casualties who you will ultimately see at the D1 level.

Dylan Omweno, 6’1, PG, Eastview (Apple Valley, Minn.)
One of the most electric players in the state of Minnesota, Dylan Omweno finished out his high school career by acting as the catalyst for an Eastview unit that made that MSHSL Final Four. Possessing a great change of speed, Omweno is an absolute blur in transition who has deep range on his jumpshot. Dylan’s blend of speed, ability to get to the paint, and capability as a three point shooter make him the best point guard left on the board in Minnesota.

Molley Komara, 6’6, PF, Champlin Park (Champlin, Minn.)
Molley Komara is one of those developmental prospects who you really have a chance to hear from down the road. He has a great frame, is an explosive athlete, and offers a ton of versatility on the defensive end. Komara is still weighing his options as far as next year, but is definitely a player who you could hear about down the road via the transfer portal or with a post grad year.

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Held at the Target Center and University of Minnesota, the MSHSL State Tournament runs Tuesday through Saturday with eight teams playing in each of the four divisions (A-AAAA). This format gave scouts, coaches, and fans alike the ability to watch many of the teams three times throughout the week, regardless of how they fared initially. There were no shortage of upsets, over 20 eventual D-1 prospects playing, and Totino Grace (Fridley, Minn.) walked away as the only team able to repeat as state champs.

Here are some of the standouts from the MSHSL State Tournament:

Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, PF/SF, Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.), 2024
No player helped themselves more in the MSHSL State Tournament than McAndrew. Not only did he walk away with the AAAA state title, but he also showed why he’s right in the conversation as a Top 100 player nationally in 2024. He dropped 25 points and nine rebounds against defending state champion Park Center via an array of effortless deep threes and straight line attacks to the rim against the most athletic team in Minnesota. McAndrew went viral with his coast to coast take (has over a million views), and has taken officials to both Wisconsin and Creighton already at this point.

Taison Chatman, 6’3, PG, Totino-Grace (Fridley, Minn.), 2023
Chatman capped off his extraordinary high school career with his second consecutive state title for Totino-Grace in Minnesota’s AAA division. The heady lead guard is outstanding at continually changing paces throughout the game, utilizes his size to punish defenses and has made improvements as a 3-point shooter. Heading to Ohio State next year, Chatman will have plenty of opportunity in Columbus with Brice Sensabaugh already announcing that he’ll be taking his talents to the NBA.

Nolan Winter, 6’10, PF/C, Lakeville North (Lakeville, Minn.), 2023
Winter is a player who continually made strides in his game and added to his bag throughout his high school career with the final piece being a third place finish in AAAA. Winter has made huge strides with his footwork and confidence with his back to the basket, is a reliable shooter beyond the 3-point arc, and has really utilized length as a defender. The son of former Minnesota Timberwolves center Trevor Winter will carve out his own legacy at Wisconsin next season.

Boden Kapke, 6’10, C, Holy Family (Victoria, Minn.), 2023
An extremely skilled big man, Kapke ended his high school career short of the ultimate goal, but it wasn’t due to his lack of production. He faced constant double teams due to his constant threat as a scorer, was an outstanding facilitator from the center spot, and kept the floor open with his presence as 3-point shooter. Kapke is headed to Broad Ripple to play for esteemed coach Thad Matta at Butler next season.

Casmir Chavis, 6’3, PG, Park Center (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), 2024
One of the most promising long term prospects in Minnesota, “Cash” Chavis and previously FAB 50 ranked Park Center fell short in the state title game, but it wasn’t due to his performance. Chavis played outstanding on ball defense, is a remarkably gifted finisher at the rack with either hand, and continually put pressure on defenders with his ability to get in the paint. Chavis already owns high major offers and will assuredly add more on the AAU circuit during the live period.

Jonathan Mekonnen, 6’8, PF/SF, Eastview (Apple Valley, Minn.), 2024
A player who has been known throughout Minnesota for a minute, but not known much outside of the state, Mekonnen continues to carve himself out as one of the state’s top prospects. The versatile lefty is an explosive straight line driver, has developed into a reliable 3-point shooter, and is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. Having never played on a shoe circuit, Mekonnen will be running with D1 Minnesota on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit.

Collin Mulholland, 6’10, PF/C, (Victoria, Minn.), 2023
Mulholland is one of the players who quietly moved into Minnesota, but those in the know in the basketball community knew that there was something special coming from north of the border. Having played at Southwest Academy (CAN) and then briefly with the Minnesota Heat, the stretch big went under the radar for a bit then Chattanooga coach Dan Earl signed him in the early signing period. In the state tournament, Mulholland had a simply dominant showing with 25 points (including three 3-pointers), 11 rebounds, 13 blocks, and 5 steals. While Holy Family didn’t achieve the ultimate goal of a state title, Mulholland left a lasting impression with his talents as a stretch big and extremely versatile defender.

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Here are a few players who caught my eye between the final week of the Minnesota high school season and the T3TV March Madness tournament:

Taison Chatman, 6’4, PG, Totino Grace HS (MN), 2023
Chatman is a name that I was familiar with prior to moving to Minnesota myself and prior to him even entering high school. With lofty expectations, the Ohio State bound senior has lived up to every bit of his lofty billing. Chatman plays the game with great pace, is really learning to utilize his size at the lead guard position, and makes high level passes with both hands. Fresh off of winning a state championship last season, Chatman will look to bring one more ring to Totino-Grace before he is bound for Columbus.

Andy Stefonowicz, 6’2, PG, Minnetonka HS (MN), 2024
One of the more underrated players in the state of Minnesota, Stefonowicz is going to be the quarterback for Howard Pulley in the EYBL this spring. The super heady lead guard excels in drawing defense with change of speed, outstanding court vision, and ability to finish creatively at rack. A priority for many mid-majors, the University of St. Thomas had nearly their entire staff at the game for Stefonowicz’s matchup (23 points, 10 assists) with Taison Chatman.

Lincoln Cosby, 6’7, SF, All Ohio Sumner, 2027
Upside is the first thing that comes to mind from the second that one lays eyes on Lincoln Cosby. Having grown four inches in the past year and not appearing to be done any time soon, Cosby has the size of a big with the skills of a guard. The lefty is a very effective straight line driver, moves with extreme fluiditynd is an explosive athlete despite his slender frame. This is undoubtedly a name that you will be hearing about sooner rather than later.

Patrick Bath, 6’9, PF/C, Totino Grace HS (MN), 2023
Arguably the best unsigned senior in Minnesota, Bath will bring a high level of productivity (had 31 points and 12 rebounds in recent game I saw) and toughness to whatever college he chooses to attend. The North Dakota transplant has improved footwork on the block, can finish above the rim through contact, and has made huge strides stretching the range on his jumpshot. Owning seven D1 offers, Bath is the casualty of today’s transfer portal generation, but offers a number of traits that will make his future college coach very happy down the road.

Tyce Simpson, 6’4, SG, Rondo Elite, 2027
One of the brighter young talents in the state of Kentucky, Simpson helped pace his gritty Rondo Elite squad to the championship game in front of the Celtics legend himself. The 6-foot-4 combo guard is a good shot creator with a live dribble, is a solid 3-point threat, and showed the ability to facilitate for others. Genetics are certainly on Tyce’s side as well, as he’s the son of 6-foot-10 former Memphis Tiger Stan Simpson.

Shawn Foster, 6’0, PG, All Ohio Sumner, 2027
A player who I hadn’t seen going into the T3TV Battle Royal, I walked away from Cincinnati realizing that all of the buzz surrounding Shawn Foster was absolutely justified. The athletic lead guard was a blur in transition, can finish with the best of them in transition, and is great jumping passing lanes defensively. Foster looks to follow the footsteps of former OKC Thunder guard Zavier Simpson as the next guard out of Lima.

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Here are a few of the top players that I saw in Cleveland, Minneapolis, Denver, and New Mexico over the past two weeks:

Nasir Whitlock, 6’1, PG, DeLaSalle HS (MN), 2023
My personal choice for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball, Whitlock is putting up straight video game numbers for Minnesota powerhouse DeLaSalle. He dropped an absurd 52 points against storied Minneapolis program Hopkins HS (who has the state’s top 2026, Jayden Moore) and followed that up with a 29-point, 5-assist outing in a blowout win the following Tuesday. The Lehigh-bound point guard is a walking bucket, blending deep range with an automatic pullup from mid-range. Whitlock is not a guy who is going to wow you with his speed or athleticism, but plays the game at his own speed and has a great change of pace. Whitlock is the prime example of a dude who didn’t need to play on a shoe circuit (ran with Gain Elite) to make it D1 and who simply continually got better throughout his high school career.

Assane Diop, 6’10, PF, Accelerated Prep (CO), 2023
A consensus top-60 recruit nationally, Diop has the chance to be a key piece in a Colorado’s outstanding recruiting class. Assane has been well known on the scene for a few years now, but has continually improved. Upon stopping by practice in Denver, the biggest improvement that you could see in the 6-foot-10 Senegalese big man was in his shooting and ball handling. He has the ability to not only keep the defense honest with his jumper, but also create for self/others.

Daniel Freitag, 6’2, PG/SG, Bloomington Jefferson HS (MN), 2024
Considered by most to be the top junior in the state of Minnesota, Freitag is one of those rare two sport dudes who legitimately has Power 5 offers in both basketball and football. An elite on ball defender, Freitag uses his chiseled physique and quick hands to apply immense ball pressure. The Howard Pulley guard is outstanding using his shoulders to finish through contact, has developed more consistency as a shooter, and has made serious strides as a lead guard. Whether it’s football or basketball, you’ll be seeing Daniel Freitag on a tv screen playing for a big time program come 2024.

Jayden Moore, 5’11, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
The consensus number one freshman in the state of Minnesota has lived up to the hype, averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists a night for one of the state’s most legendary programs. With two years of varsity playing experience under his belt, “Judah” is not your average freshman. Playing the game with a court savvy well beyond his years, Moore sees the game a play ahead. He is outstanding in quickly pushing the ball up the floor, makes high level passes out of pick and roll plays, and is outstanding making proper reads against different defensive coverages. Playing up two years last summer in the Adidas 3SSB 16U with J-Suggs Sizzle, Moore gained an offer from West Virginia, but that is merely the first of a plethora of high major offers to come.

Brady Wooley, 6’8, PF, Orono HS (MN), 2025
The fastest rising sophomore in the state of Minnesota, Wooley is the type of new age forward that everyone is looking for nowadays. He’s not going to put up huge numbers, but impacts the game in so many ways. Wooley is a skilled passer who can stretch defense out to the 3-point line, does a great job of finding open areas to flash/cut offensively, and uses length to provide a formidable shot blocking presence. Wooley has already been on campus at Minnesota and Iowa State with many more to join once the live period starts.

Shemarion Hardy, 6’2, SG, Cleveland Heights HS (OH), 2023
Not a huge name, Hardy is the type of inner city dude who you hate to play against. Playing for former NBA guard JR Bremer at Cleveland Heights (and in same conference that I played in myself), “Mar” is an athletic lefty who is consistently in attack mode. The bouncy combo guard has no shortage of dog in him, great elevation on his jumper, and the ability to finish over the top of you in transition. He has been one of the bright surprises in the city of Cleveland this season and is a name to remember throughout his college career.

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I was the assistant director of Ohio Basketball Club (formerly Cleveland Basketball Club) for five years on the Adidas circuit and the program still has produced more NBA players than anyone in the state of Ohio. I’ve born and raised in Cleveland (have it tatted all over my body), but the journey that is the game of basketball has taken me to a number of cool spots that a poor kid from CLE would have never imagined going. I spent time living in North Carolina (all throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), Norfolk, and Houston (working for John Lucas). My latest stop in life is Minneapolis.

Amidst the insane weather and flight chaos that we had in this country, I was one of the casualties. After covering the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, I had plans of shooting to Atlanta and Chicago to cover a few other high school games. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out and I had to reroute all of my travel to simply make it back to Minneapolis for Christmas. Furthermore, I was hoping to make it to South Carolina for post Christmas events, but flight cancellations didn’t make it worthwhile for me to literally just roll down for a day or two.

That being said, this introductory piece is going to be on some of the local Minnesota talent that I’ve seen over the past three weeks. January is going be a pretty crazy travel month for me, so I’m definitely going to have much more on the national level for Bilateral readers moving forward.

Here are a few of the top guys who I have seen in Minnesota post Christmas:

Casmir “Cash” Chavis, 6’3, PG, Park Center HS (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), 2024
The leading scorer (20 points per game) for the best team in the state, Chavis has been getting it done far more than his team’s official 5-0 record reflects. His squad has quality wins over both Minnesota Prep and West Oaks Academy (FL) of the Grind Session, but games had to be counted as “exhibitions” due to Minnesota state rules. Chavis, who was the leading scorer for J-Sizzle 17U on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, is a lockdown on ball defender who is an elite finisher and continually developing playmaker. Sitting at No. 48 in the latest Ballislife FAB 50 national rankings, Chavis and Co. are the favorites to repeat as state champions in Minnesota.

Nolan Winter, 6’10, PF, Lakeville North HS (Minn.), 2023
The state’s best jumbo sized shooter, Winter is producing at a high level for Lakeville North and his team’s success has followed. The Wisconsin recruit is averaging 19.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game for a 6-1 team that has only lost to the state’s top ranked team (Park Center). The prototypical new age forward, Winter utilizes his size against smaller defenders on the block, yet also has the athleticism and agility to blow by slower defenders on the perimeter. Nolan may not be done growing yet either, as his father (Trevor) is a true 7-footer who played for the Timberwolves back in the day himself.

Jayden Moore, 6’0, PG, Hopkins HS (Minnetonka, Minn.), 2026
If you’ve followed any semblance of middle school basketball over the past few years, you’re probably familiar with Moore. He’s been playing varsity for one of Minnesota's most storied programs since seventh grade. He also played up two years for J Sizzle (Jalen Suggs’ AAU team) on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. A super heady PG, Moore is also a dynamic scorer, dropping 34 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds in the Augsburg Holiday Classic. He already holds a West Virginia offer, has an outstanding change of pace, and has made himself a more versatile guard with an improved jumper. Moore is sitting at the top of Minnesota’s 2026 class and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.

Anthony Smith III, 6’1, combo guard, Hopkins HS (Minnetonka, Minn.), 2025
One of the more improved guys in the state of Minnesota, Smith III is certifying himself as serious D1 prospect. He dropped 34 points (including 7 three pointers), six assists, five rebounds, and four steals at the Augsburg Holiday Classic. The D1 Minnesota product (plays on Adidas 3SSB circuit) is a serious shooter with no shortage of confidence. Owning an offer from George Mason, Smith is a guy who could be adding plenty more once college coaches see the growth in his game during the live period in April.

Jack Janicki, 6’5, SG, White Bear Lake HS (Minn.), 2023
Janicki could legitimately be the best division one walk on in America. Turning down more than a dozen D1 offers, Janicki opted to go to Wisconsin as a preferred walk on, and has the potential to play there right away. The lefty shooting guard is exceptionally crafty, scores the ball at a high rate with a limited amount of dribbles, and throws defenders off with his change of pace. He is a fiery competitor who showed that he could hold his own on the national level running with D1 Minnesota on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, and is trending to do the same thing in the Big Ten at Wisconsin.

C.J. O’Hara, 6’4, SG, Park Center HS (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), 2023
One of the most versatile defenders in the state, O’Hara is the defensive catalyst for undefeated Park Center. O’Hara proved himself to be a legitimate D1 prospect with his play against both West Oaks (FL) and Minnesota Prep, but has continued in the state high school season by posting 20 points per game. The combination of productivity and defensive versatility that he offers make him the state’s best unsigned perimeter player in the class of 2023.

Kyle Jorgensen, 6’9, C, Minneapolis Washburn (Minneapolis, Minn.), 2024
Arguably the best player in the Minneapolis City League, Jorgensn is simply having a monster start to his junior season, posting 24 points and 14 rebounds per night. The skilled big man has outstanding footwork on the block, can step out and shoot it from three, and uses his frame to finish through contact. Still under the radar, Jorgensen is starting to attract interest from D1 programs throughout the Midwest.

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