Don Ferguson: National Sports Analyst – Hoop Stars Media
Area Codes Minneapolis Hidden Showcase Recap:
This past weekend in Minneapolis Area Codes Basketball hosted the Hidden 20 Showcase held at historic Minneapolis North High School which is in the heart of the city had many of Minnesotas elite high school players in attendance. Chad Groth a National College scout covers elite prospects from coast to coast and Minnesota top elite prospects didn’t disappoint.
In furthering the national conversation, the one thing that people should know who live outside of Minnesota is that there is no shortage of talent. The high School talent pool is rich with Elite level high major to mid major and true College prep prospects at every grade level. When Coaches are looking for top high school prospects to contribute to their programs; Minnesota should quickly come to mind.
Camp standouts and Players Watch list:
- Camp MVP – 6’6″ – 2022 – Prince Aligbe – Minnehaha Academy – Video Highlights: Prince Aligbe 6’6″ Minnehaha Academy
Camp MVP Prince Aligbe has shown in a short span why he is considered a main attraction. At 6’6″ he has guard attributes and in high school can guard all five positions on the floor. He currently holds offers from power five conferences such as Florida, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Iowa State to name a few. An elite prospect who is just scratching the surface of what he will become with continued growth in his skills.
Class of 2020: Hidden Gems: Many players that are on pace to have breakout seasons for their high school teams
- Joseph Kearney: Tartan High 6’3″ Combo guard. Kearney has a College frame already as he enters into his senior year at Tartan High School. The 6’3″ combo guard is one of the feistiest defenders and will be called on to guard the teams best playmakers. His ability to stretch the defense with his jump shot makes him a problem for teams.
- Jacob Daing: Rochester Century 6’4″ Combo guard. A true hidden gem a, lengthy guard who kept the pressure up offensively at the camp. He is a prospect that will open eyes this winter for Century.
- Langston Binns: Tartan High 6’2″ Combo guard. Langton Binns has the ability to score buckets in bunches and scores from all three levels. He shoots the three ball and mid range with great consistency and his strong frame is a problem for smaller guards at trying to keep him out of the paint. Tartan HS, has two guys that can avg. almost 40 points a game.
- DJ Miller – 5’11” – Maple Grove High School. Miller created many opportunities for himself and others all day long at the Area Codes Minneapolis Hidden gems camp this past weekend. A prospect that has a unique game in the sense that he was unrattled by defenders. He has a deceiving first step and arguably the best court vision at the camp. He will play an important role for the Crimson this winter. College Coaches who are looking for a true Point guard DJ Miller is a player who can fit that role.
- Daniel Rosenburg: Burnsville High 6’5″ Wing. Rosenburg a super athletic wing that is just now scratching the surface. If he continues to add shooting and handling to his game I expect that his stock will rise this season.
Class of 2021; Underclassmen to watch this High School season:
- Andre Gray: 6’4″ Guard Hopkins High School: Andre a player that has added many layers to his game over the past 12 months. One of the most athletic combo guards who will now step into a huge role at Hopkins High School the defending class 4A State Champions in 2018 – 19. He will fill a void of scoring and defending. From what we have seen over the past 12 months, he is ready for the new role. This season will put him in the conversation as a high major prospect. – Video: 6’4″ Andre Gray II – Hopkins HS
- Isaiah Davis: 6’3″ Wing Minnehaha Academy. Isaiah is a new comer this High School season to the Minnehaha machine. Davis is very active on both ends of the floor with elite D1 athleticism.
- David Osayameh: Coon Rapids 6’5″ – David Osayameh is a name that you will hear a lot this high school season. An athlete with unbelievable bounce, a true wing that runs the floor hard on both ends and has a package of finishes above the rim. David is a true D1 wing as College Coaches are starting to show interest in his ability. He must add a knock down mid range to go along with his ability and you never know what the out come will be over the next 24 months. — Video Highlights: 6’5″ David Osayameh – Coon Rapids High School
Class of 2022; Underclassmen to watch this High School season:
Wings and Centers to watch this season:
- Elvis Nnaji: 6’9″ – Power Forward – Hopkins High School. Elvis is the cousin of Zeke Nnaji forward for Arizona Wildcats. Elvis Nnaji by far has taken the biggest leap in terms of adding skills and athleticism to his game. Elvis currently holds an offer from hometown college University of Minnesota. This past weekend he showed why this year will be a break out year for the 6’9″ power forward. The upside for Elvis is scary as he has the possibility to be a 5 star ESPN prospect.
- Blessed Barhayiga: 6’9″ Center Osseo High School. Blessed is a future prospect that is developing right before our eyes. An aggressive, rebounding big man with soft touch and finishes around the rim. Blessed is in the early stages of developing and is on many national scouts radar. He is showing signs that he can be a future high major college prospect. In the next 12 months if he can add the ability to be a shot maker from the outside and be consistent with putting the ball on the deck, his STOCK will keep rising as D1 Coaches are already showing a lot of interest.
Guards to watch:
- Donald Ferguson III: 6’0″ PG Osseo High School. Donald will be one of the featured lead guards for Osseo High School. He is a Point guard that made plays all camp long with floaters and quick handles to create shot opportunities and plays for others. He is one of the purest shooters with range out to 24 feet consistently in the class of 2022. Ferguson will play an important role for Osseo and is ready for a breakout year and he is a part of the loaded 2022 classes. D1 Coaches are showing interest in the top prospect who has 5 skills sets that elite guards possess: creativity, shooting, handles, IQ, Defense and leadership. Video Highlights: 6’0″ Donald Ferguson Osseo High School
- Braedon Carrington: 6’4″ Wing Park Center. Carrington is a wing that will be stepping into a big role for Park Center Pirates. Park Center is coming off of a State tournament run and high major 6’10” Dain Dainja who is a Baylor commit. Carrington will be able to provide sharp shooting for the Pirates for such a young player who already has a D1 offer is primed for a special season.
- Willie Wilson: 6’2″ Point Guard Minneapolis North. Willie Wilson has already received D1 offers and plays for Minneapolis North and Hall of Fame Coach Larry McKenize. Wilson at 6’2″ has top end speed from end to end at the point guard position. His ability to get paint touches and the fact that finishes well in traffic makes him true D1 prospect.
- Donovan Smith: 5’10” Point Guard Minnehaha Academy. Donovan is a knock down shooter that was accurate from the arch last season for Minnehaha Academy. Who will at some point after 5 star College prospect Jalen Suggs graduates will assume point guard duties.
Class of 2023: Diaper dandy’s
- Lincoln Publicki: 6’8″ Forward Maple Grove High school. Lincoln has a high IQ for big man that is still growing in his game. Nice interior touch lends well to adding range to his game. Currently the top Center prospect in the class.
- Ibo El Amin: 5’10” Point Guard Burnsville High School. He comes from a long line of Point Guards in his family. He will have an opportunity to compete for varsity mins. this High School season. One of the best Point Guards in 2023.
- Maxsamus Wilson: 6’3″ – South St. Paul High School – Is a Combo guard with the ability to make others around him better with a crafty handle. For a younger player his ability to shoot the ball puts him a head of his peers. Maxsamus already has a varsity season under his belt. A name to remember this season. Excited to see how that varsity experience pays off for year two.
Camp Hidden Gems:
- Jaron Morton – 5’10” – PG – Breck High School – 2021
- Lewis Cargoer – 6’4″ – W – Osseo High School – 2022
Follow us on social media: Twitter @HoopStarsMedia, Instagram: hoopstarsmedia