This week’s column features former metro area players competing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and four outstanding prep basketball players, including one who is at a new school this season.
Coffey, Trent, Sims playing for the Bucks
When guard Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 103-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks with 24 points on Sunday, December 21 at Target Center in NBA action last week, he and his teammates were facing a team with three former outstanding prep players from the Twin Cities metro area. Amir Coffey (Hopkins), Gary Trent Jr. (Apple Valley, Prolific Prep), and Jericho Sims (Cristo Rey Jesuit)) all play for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Coffey went on to star at the University of Minnesota, Sims played for the University of Texas, and Trent moved on to Duke University.
The trio had unforgettable prep careers.
Coffey, a 6’8” guard, led Hopkins to the Class 4A state championship in 2016. Trent, a 6’5” guard, was on two Class 4A championship teams at Apple Valley in 2013 and 2015. Sims, a 6’10” center, finished as Cristo Rey Jesuit’s all-time leading scorer in 2018.
Holmgren plays against Timberwolves
While Edwards, a 6’4” guard, was scoring 26 points leading the Timberwolves to a 112-107 victory over defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder Friday, December 19 at Target Center, third-year player and former Minnehaha Academy standout Chet Holmgren, a 7’0” center, was on the opponent side, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Holmgren, who went on to an outstanding career at Gonzaga University, was the state’s Mr. Basketball as a senior in 2021.
Four boys basketball players to watch
Christian Wiggins (Tartan, 6’5” guard), one the state’s best; Jermaine Thomas-Curtis (St. Paul Johnson, 6’3” guard), one of the best kept secrets in the state…for now; J’Marion Sanders (Minneapolis North, 5’9” guard) leading the Polars in scoring; and Jumair Wright (Minneapolis South, 6’0” guard), a great three-point shooter
Marshall at Maranatha
Marcus Marshall Jr., the guard who transferred to Maranatha Christian Academy after two outstanding seasons at Minneapolis North, is one of the Mustang’s leading scorers.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.