It was a fairly wild week within the Land of 10,000 Lakes this previous week in highschool hoops. In between taking in numerous Timberwolves and school video games, I used to be capable of see various the state’s finest prospects and they didn’t disappoint. Hopkins upset Minnesota No. 1 and FAB 50 ranked Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.), Richfield (Minn.) shocked DeLaSalle (Minneapolis, Minn.) on a 40-foot buzzer beater to win the sport, and small city Dawson Boyd (Dawson, Minn.) made the journey to the Twin Cities to play within the Grassroots Sizzle Leap Metropolis Hoops Basic.
Evidently, there have been various gamers who stood out, and listed here are among the prime performers from the video games that I noticed this previous week in Minnesota.
Anthony Smith III, PG/SG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025
Maybe one of the best shooter within the state of Minnesota no matter class, Anthony Smith III offered the scoring presence that Hopkins wanted to upset Wayzata, dropping 20 factors (4 3-point). Smith III has proven continuous enchancment as each a playmaker and a slasher, exhibiting extra confidence attacking the rack and facilitating for others. Operating with D1 Minnesota, Smith already holds various D1 presents and has firmly supplanted himself on the radar of numerous packages.
Brayson Boike, 6’6, SF, Dawson Boyd HS (MN), 2025
Coming from rural Minnesota, it’s uncommon to get to see groups from out that manner make it to the Twin Cities. Until you’re making an attempt to make a 3 hour trek within the useless of winter to distant areas of Minnesota, it’s finest to grab the chance when these groups come to town. Brayson Boike, a flexible 6-foot-6 ahead, didn’t disappoint within the Grassroots Sizzle Leap Metropolis Basic. With the College of St. Thomas and North Dakota each in the home to look at him, Boike modified the sport together with his inside-out play and fluidity on the defensive finish. He managed the inside defensively, but additionally confirmed his perimeter ability set by instantly grabbing the rock and initiating the offense. Operating with D1 Minnesota on the 3SSB circuit, Brayson goes to be a man who mid-major packages can be following carefully.
Jayden Moore, 6’0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
The state’s finest pure level guard did a lot greater than confirmed up within the field rating in Hopkins’ upset victory over Wayzata. Dropping a triple double (12 factors, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals), he made an immense influence because the catalyst for Hopkins on each ends of the hardwood. Already holding presents from Baylor, West Virginia, Illinois, and Minnesota, Moore would be the point of interest of the J-Sizzle 17U crew on the 3SSB Circuit.
Daveion “Davie” Hart, 6’5, SF, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025
A participant who has consistently improved during the last two years, “Davie” Hart saved his finest for Hopkins win over Wayzata. The lanky swingman modified the sport together with his size defensively, hit open 3-pointers, and confirmed rather more assertiveness together with his offensive recreation as a scorer than we’ve seen previously, ending with 22 factors. The pliability that he presents coaches on each ends of the ground will make him one of many extra attention-grabbing Minnesota names to observe all through his senior 12 months.
C.J. Armstrong, 6’3, SG, Richfield HS (MN), 2025
Sure gamers have the last word inexperienced gentle, and CJ Armstrong is definitely a kind of dudes for Richfield Excessive College. Averaging 33 factors per recreation, the bouncy scoring guard has developed with fairly the repute, persevering with to construct on it together with his 38-point exhibiting in opposition to perennial energy DeLaSalle. CJ scored from all three ranges, confirmed excessive confidence all through the sport, and hit a 40-foot shot on the buzzer to provide Richfield a 71-70 win.
J.J. Semanko, 6’4, SG/SF, Hopkins HS (MN), 2025
Much like Hart, Semanko is one other participant who has made big strides together with his recreation inside the previous 12 months and a half. Semanko is an elite shot blocker on the perimeter (blocks a ton of jumpshots), is a artistic finisher on the rack when slashing, and has developed right into a dependable 3-point shooter. Semanko is one other key piece on a particular group of Hopkins underclassmen that may all be receiving school scholarships.
