BleedGopher
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per ESPN:
Although Holmgren is the first Minnesota player to secure the top ranking on ESPN's top-100 recruiting list, he's far from alone in a region that has emerged on the national scene. The fourth-coldest state in America (after Maine, North Dakota and Alaska) is stocked with young basketball standouts worth your attention.
"It's definitely cool to represent not only my state but my friends and family who live here," Holmgren told ESPN of his No. 1 ranking in the 2021 class.
Top-tier talent at the high school and collegiate ranks, of course, can only mean a greater chance for NBA success as those players develop. Amir Coffey (Los Angeles Clippers), Gary Trent Jr. (Portland Trail Blazers), Mike Muscala (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Tyus Jones (Memphis Grizzlies) have all made solid contributions to their respective franchises this season.
Three Minnesotans -- Duke's Tre Jones, Minnesota's Daniel Oturu and Arizona's Zeke Nnaji -- are projected to be selected early in the second round this year, per ESPN's most recent 2020 NBA mock draft. That might count as a blip for other states, but it stands as a gold rush for a region that hasn't produced an NBA All-Star since Kevin McHale in 1991.
The surge of prospects has turned the state into an increasingly popular destination for college basketball's top coaches. At the lowest levels, more resources have been devoted to development, which has helped the overall quality of play within the state. Population growth in the Twin Cities -- nearly 3 million people now live in the metro area -- is a factor, too.
"There are so many high-level players from the state of Minnesota," said one Power 5 coach who has signed multiple Minnesota-based players in recent years. "The high school and AAU coaches have done a great job helping players develop and receive college scholarships."
www.espn.com
Go Gophers!!
Although Holmgren is the first Minnesota player to secure the top ranking on ESPN's top-100 recruiting list, he's far from alone in a region that has emerged on the national scene. The fourth-coldest state in America (after Maine, North Dakota and Alaska) is stocked with young basketball standouts worth your attention.
"It's definitely cool to represent not only my state but my friends and family who live here," Holmgren told ESPN of his No. 1 ranking in the 2021 class.
Top-tier talent at the high school and collegiate ranks, of course, can only mean a greater chance for NBA success as those players develop. Amir Coffey (Los Angeles Clippers), Gary Trent Jr. (Portland Trail Blazers), Mike Muscala (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Tyus Jones (Memphis Grizzlies) have all made solid contributions to their respective franchises this season.
Three Minnesotans -- Duke's Tre Jones, Minnesota's Daniel Oturu and Arizona's Zeke Nnaji -- are projected to be selected early in the second round this year, per ESPN's most recent 2020 NBA mock draft. That might count as a blip for other states, but it stands as a gold rush for a region that hasn't produced an NBA All-Star since Kevin McHale in 1991.
The surge of prospects has turned the state into an increasingly popular destination for college basketball's top coaches. At the lowest levels, more resources have been devoted to development, which has helped the overall quality of play within the state. Population growth in the Twin Cities -- nearly 3 million people now live in the metro area -- is a factor, too.
"There are so many high-level players from the state of Minnesota," said one Power 5 coach who has signed multiple Minnesota-based players in recent years. "The high school and AAU coaches have done a great job helping players develop and receive college scholarships."
Top prospect Chet Holmgren's rise spotlights Twin Cities recruiting prowess
Minneapolis 7-footer Chet Holmgren is the No. 1 prospect in the 2021 class, solidifying the state of Minnesota's place as a critical locale on the recruiting landscape.
www.espn.com
Go Gophers!!
