Nothing's Junior About Their Skills ...

by Ryan James
The BREAKDOWN
(updated 11/5/2008)

The 2010 prospect rankings are being sorted through right now but you may not see some of the state’s top juniors at the top of the list. The reason for that is simple, some of the best juniors in state are just not very tall. However, what they lack in height some of these kids surely bring in game.

Minneapolis Patrick Henry’s Jordan Hughes was listed at 5-foot-7 last year and Richfield’s Jauson Sewer is a taller 5-foot-9. Hughes produced 19 points a game highlighting the year with some incredible shooting performances beyond the arc and he helped lead the Patriots to the final four in state. Sewer put up 12 a game as a sophomore and then went on to have a breakout spring and summer showcasing some monster games that has produced him division one college interest. Sewer is also an impressive shooter from deep and he has outstanding lift on his shot.

Division one schools are most certainly aware of Hughes and Sewer but teams at the highest level will wait because of the size. While teams are waiting to find somebody with similar abilities only six or seven inches taller some other mid or low major teams are going to take a chance on Hughes or Sewer and receive the benefits. Although I have heard that Jordan does have some grade concerns so he may have to go through the junior college route first which is just fine and has worked out great for several Minnesotans lately.

There are several others under six-foot junior guards in Minnesota that will also make a big impact this year. Hughes’s teammate Louis Cox at Henry is also very talented and he can fill up the stat sheets with his jumper. Eastview point guard Vinard Birch had a great summer and was dynamite in the AAU state title game. Vinard might just be the more feared on-ball defender in his class. Aaron Anderson of Osseo has much explosion along with a scoring touch to boot. He will play both guard positions for his team this year and Aaron really has a smooth game.

Others like Dajon Newell of Lakeville North and Michael Johnson of Grand Rapids are also strong players and under the six foot mark as juniors. Champlin Park’s Jasper Duberry fit the category last year as 5-foot-11 although in the Minnehaha Fall League I thought he had grown some near the six-foot mark but his talent deserves the mention nonetheless. Duberry and Zerrick Fuller will give the Rebels a strong duo of lead guards to run the team with.