Top Ten Spring Stock Raisers

Spring and summer basketball is all about improving for the next varsity season as well as making an impression on college coaches. Minnesota has numerous AAU teams playing in different events and many student athletes have improved themselves in the eyes of college coaches. Today we look at ten seniors-to-be who have improved their stock the most this spring.

Number 1 – Nate Wolters (St. Cloud Tech) Minnesota Comets Elite

The 6-foot-3 guard from St. Cloud has had an amazing spring already putting up big time scoring numbers and hitting clutch shots tournament after tournament. The Comets have played an incredible six overtime games already and Wolters has hit clutch shots in just about every one of those games. The biggest was an overtime game winner against MSB this past weekend. Wolters was expected to be a division two level player but now he's the top division two target in state and will likely have several low and possibly mid-majors offers by summer time. Schools like South Dakota, North Dakota, South Dakota State should be all over him already and if he hits the national circuit that interest will only increase.

Number 2 – Emmanuel Addo (Northfield) Minnesota Magic Elite

Talk about coming out of nowhere. Addo had a nice season leading Northfield in scoring with 13.6 a game but the 6-foot-6 left-handed forward is catching all sorts of division one interest after an outstanding performance in Denver. Surely a few area schools had seen and were interested. But Emmanuel's post play, mid-range jumper, and good hands around the basket caught the eyes of schools like North Dakota State, Portland, and South Dakota and that seems to be just the start for Addo's building interest.

Number 3 – Mike Bruesewitz (Henry Sibley) 43 Hoops

Mike Bruesewitz already has his school picked out and he will be a Badger. Coming into the AAU season Mike was looked at as a potential recruit who can fill some Badger needs in a four year role sort of way. But when the state tournament hit in late March and then Mike went down to Arkansas for the Real Deal, he picked up his play to a higher level. Bruesewitz showcased the kind of explosion attacking the basket, skying for boards, and swatting shots that many were not sure he could produce on a regular basis. Plus his mid-range jumper is dropping with a lot more consistency. Do not be surprised to see Mike amongst the RivalsHoops 150 and ranked higher then say current four star player Trent Lockett.

Number 4 - Matt Zager (Shakopee) Minnesota Glory

Zager has pushed himself to the top of a lot of division two lists because of his non stop motor. Schools knew he could play but Zager's constant intensity level has moved him to the top of many lists. Coaches know they can count on him to consistently play defense, always make plays running the floor, and he will dive for any loose ball. It will be interesting to see how much interest he gets when the Glory takes to the road after school is over. You may see more Glory names on the summer stock list after they get out on the road and one to really watch is Josh Figini. Will he be the top D2 target or maybe a D1 player?

Number 5 – Mike Muscala (Roseville) MSB Roadrunners

It was a rough season at Roseville and because of that only so many people knew about Muscala coming into the spring. Now the top level division two schools and some division ones know that Muscala is a long and versatile 6-foot-7 with a lot of skill and some explosion to boot.

Number 6 – Dylan Rodriguez (Blaine) 43 Hoops

Rodriguez has been impressive just finding ways to score for his 43 Hoops team. He's reminiscent of Dusty Rychart in the fact that he's one of these guys that just finds his way to the basketball at the right times around the basket. Like Dusty, Rodriguez has a very nice mid-range jumper and like Rychart, Dylan is able to make tough shots around the basket over taller and more athletic players. Dylan is about an inch shorter then Rychart but they also look somewhat similar.

Number 7 – Carlos Emmory (Eastview) Minnesota Magic Elite

Several schools have been impressed with the athletic ability of Eastview wing Carlos Emmory. He is an electric finisher who plays above the rim at about 6-foot-5. Emmory can play both forward spots and although his jumper is not consistent it does look pretty good and he can catch fire and hit a couple in a row. He may have to go juco first but Carlos definitely has caught the eye of division two schools and even a few division ones have shown some curiosity with his play this spring.

Number 8 – Maurice Hernandez (Henry Sibley) Minnesota Select

With Maurice it's quite simple, he's putting up numbers every game. Maurice has had a couple games in the 30's including one at the Jayhawk Invitational and several in the 20s. His three point shot is dropping in high numbers and Maurice is becoming more skilled in other areas of his game. He's gone from a nice complimentary player on the Sibley second place team to a shooting wing that could get a scholarship if he stays hot and keeps working on other areas of his game.

Number 9 – Sam Dower (Osseo) Net Gain Sports

This may be a stretch because Sam Dower was getting division one interest with his high school play over the winter. But now that teams have seen Dower on the road St. Louis has gone from recruiting him hard to making Dower one of their top priorities if not the top priority. Rick Majerus has now been to Osseo four times to see Dower and teams like Gonzaga are picking up their interest in Sam.

Number 10 – Cedric Martin (Mpls Washburn) Howard Pulley Panthers

Like Dower before him this is somewhat of a stretch for this list because Cedric Martin had been getting division one letters and such for almost a year now. But Cedric's play at the Boo Williams tournament and his scoring from the wing has opened the door to division one territory. If he continues to play well Martin could receive some division one offers.

THE NEXT TEN

David Berthene (Lakeville North) MSB Roadrunners

D.J. Carrol (Mounds View) Minnesota Select

Damarius Cruz (Armstrong) 43 Hoops

Mike Fitzgerald (St. Thomas) Howard Pulley

Andre Garth (St. Cloud Apollo) Minnesota Comets Elite

Tom Gisler (Stewartville) Minnesota Glory

Josh Hibbison (Monticello) Minnesota Fury

Burke Lendl (Rogers) Howard Pulley White

Erik Olson (Buffalo) Minnesota Fury

Tommy Sawatzke (Monticello) Howard Pulley White