The NCAA’s June Scholastic “Live Period” has come and gone. For those not familiar, following the NCAA Scandal of 2017-18, the NCAA opened up two weekends in June for D1 programs to evaluate high school players. The sanctioned events must be in “scholastic” settings, as players cannot participate as AAU teams. Some states require players to play with their high school teams, whereas others such as Minnesota, bring in the top individual players from bordering states for a showcase. While this format doesn’t necessarily give as many players the opportunity to be seen by division one programs, it truly brings the best of the best together.
Held at legendary Minnesota power Hopkins High School (Minnetonka Minn.), the MBCA Showcase offered the top 2026, 2027, and 2028 players from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota the chance to be evaluated. Over 100 colleges were in the building for the two day event and not coincidentally, no shortage of scholarships were given out in the coming days since the event ended.
While Minnesota’s senior class doesn’t quite have the size of the younger classes, there are a number of players in the backcourt and on wing who are difference-makers, and here are a few who caught our eye:
Nolen Anderson, 6’6, SG, Wayzata HS (MN)
As far as the class of 2026 is concerned, there hasn’t been a player in Minnesota who has helped themselves more than Nolen Anderson. Despite having some monster games at Eden Prairie as a sophomore, he still slid under the radar. Not anymore. A shooter with size, Anderson has the most effortless jumper in the state, plays above the rim, and knows how to put the ball in the hole with limited bounces. Already owning a plethora of mid-major offers, many BCS programs have begun taking notice of Anderson, who is shooting 45.7 percent thus far from 3-point range in Adidas 3SSB with D1 Minnesota.
Jayden Moore, 6’0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN)
The top point guard in the state of Minnesota lived up to his billing at the MBCA Showcase, totally controlling the game on both ends of the floor in front of virtually every college in the region. The cerebral playmaker is the best passer in the state, is shooting it with more consistency, and is an elite rebounder for a point guard. It will be an interesting decision for the 6-foot senior, who doubles as a high major recruit on the gridiron as well.
Sage Hanson, 6’9, PF, TGU Granville School HS (ND)
The top senior in North Dakota showed that he could hold his own with the best in Minnesota, and college coaches certainly took notice of Hanson. Hanson is an elite rim runner who can finish above the rim in transition, controls his area on the glass, and showed solid range out to the 3-point line. Not coincidentally, Hanson’s D1 recruitment has picked up significantly since the event, and the tools are definitely there for that for a nice mid major big man.
Dothan Ijamibola, 6’6, SF, Totino Grace (MN)
One of the very best seniors in the state, Ijamibola has always had the talent, but sometimes it seemed as if the game came too easy to him. As a rising senior, he’s really putting it all together and it showed at the MBCA Showcase. The Swiss Army knife is an elite straight line driver, can convert through contact at the rack, and brings an immense amount of positional versatility to the table. The future high major wing averaged 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for a loaded D1 Minnesota squad in 3SSB, showing the plug and play potential that he has at the next level.
Joseph “JoJo” Mitchell III, Cretin Derham Hall HS (MN)
As far as scoring point guards are concerned, you aren’t going to find many better in the Land of 10,000 Lakes than Mitchell. The super confident playmaker has deep range, plays the game at his own pace, and is an exceptional cutter for a lead guard when he doesn’t have the rock. Mitchell is leading Howard Pulley 17U with 15 points and 5 assists per game, leaving no doubt what type of player that he’s going to be at the next level.
Graham Sonneh, 6’9, PF, East Ridge HS (MN)
A name that has really popped up his spring in Minnesota is Sonneh, a 6-foot-9 late bloomer from East Ridge High School. The lithe forward moves incredibly well, has a feathery touch from 3- point range, and is just beginning to tap in to the potential that he possesses. Playing next to Minnesota recruit Cedric Towns at East Ridge, Sonneh will certainly have no shortage of eyes on him throughout his senior campaign.
