With numerous MLK occasions all through the nation to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, the Land of 10,000 Lakes did not have a lot to supply, however there was one which stood out: The St. Paul Johnson MLK Basic. Held along with the Minnesota Black Basketball Coaches Affiliation, the Johnson MLK Basic introduced the very best assortment of expertise of any occasion that Minnesota provided, headlined by a loaded matchup of No.1 Totino-Grace towards No. 2 Richfield within the state’s AAA division, which introduced the Twin Cities out on a snowy Monday to take a look at some excellent hoops in Dr. King’s honor.
Whereas TG and Richfield stole the present, the occasion additionally provided plenty of different attention-grabbing prospects. Listed here are six gamers who helped themselves with their efficiency on the St. Paul Johnson MLK Basic:
St. Paul Johnson MLK Basic: High Performers
Dothan Ijadimbola, 6’6, SF, Totino-Grace HS (Minn.), 2026
Sustaining his place on the radar since coming into highschool, Dothan Ijadimbola has proven fixed enchancment all through his tenure at TG and put that on full show on the Johnson MLK Basic. The facility wing was close to unstoppable as soon as he drove downhill together with his proper hand, sought out contact each time that he bought to the paint, and was capable of defend just about each place on the hardwood.Â
Proudly owning high-major presents early in his profession, Ijadimbola opted to go the mid-major route at Drake, the place he has an opportunity to play from the second he units foot on campus.
Tian Chatman, 6’3, PG/SG, Totino-Grace (Minn.), 2026
One of many higher unsigned seniors left on the board in Minnesota, Tian Chatman, has the entire tangibles that D-1 applications search for out of a combo guard prospect. Able to taking part in both guard spot, Tian confirmed his means to interrupt you down off the bounce, is a artistic finisher on the rack, and has vastly underrated courtroom imaginative and prescient.Â
The youthful brother of Ohio State guard Taison Chatman has the entire instruments to finally wind up as a D-1 guard in his personal proper.
Kellen Troup, 6’7, SF/PF, Minnehaha Academy (Minn.), 2027
One of many fastest-rising juniors within the state of Minnesota, Kellen Troup, confirmed his huge upside for Minnehaha on the St. Paul Johnson MLK Basic. The continually enhancing ahead is an explosive athlete who performs above the rim on each ends, is a dependable 3–level shooter, and might beat you with straight-line drives.
An enormous-time soccer prospect, Troup goes to need to in the end select which sport to pursue, as he has D-1 expertise in a number of sports activities.
Carter Cupito, 5’11, PG, Minnehaha Academy (Minn.), 2030
When watching Carter Cupito, you usually overlook that you just’re watching an eighth grader. The heady playmaker does an impressive job of pushing the rock up the ground, has tremendous fast fingers defensively, and all the time has his head on a swivel to search out the open man with high-level passes.
An elite soccer standout, Cupito runs with J-Sizzle on the Adidas circuit, the place he’s beneath the tutelage of one other Minnehaha two-sport star: Jalen Suggs.
Gideon Horne, 6’5, SG/SF, Richfield HS (Minn.), 2027
Whereas his squad took a loss to top-ranked Totino-Grace, Gideon Horne is constant his breakout season at Richfield. The highly effective wing has an impressive mid-range jumper, is an elite finisher in visitors, and brings the power to lock down a number of spots on the defensive finish.
Having already spent a while working with Howard Pulley final season on the EYBL, Gideon has made excellent progress together with his recreation to arrange him for his closing go-around on the AAU circuit.
Jermaine Thomas-Curtis, 6’3, SG, St. Paul Johnson (Minn.), 2026
One of many higher gamers within the St. Paul Metropolis League, Jermaine Thomas-Curtis, confirmed his means to alter the sport together with his athleticism on the St. Paul Johnson MLK Basic. He’s an elite on-ball defender, has tremendous fast fingers, and is without doubt one of the finest finishers within the state in transition.
Jermaine is without doubt one of the late-signing-period gamers who may blow up within the switch portal within the coming years.
