Target Center Hosting 20th Annual Timberwolves Shootout Saturday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Some of the top high school basketball teams both in Minnesota and across the Midwest will be at Target Center on Saturday for the 20th annual Timberwolves Shootout.
The event has brought several top basketball stars who have gone onto standout college and NBA careers to Minneapolis. It features four games with one Minnesota team facing another top team from around the Midwest. Previous stars in the event include Tyus Jones, Jrue Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love and Josh Smith.
The first game Saturday, slated for 9:15 a.m., will be No. 4-ranked Champlin Park against Lincoln High School out of Iowa. The Rebels, whose only loss last season came in the Class 4A championship game, are led by Division I recruits McKinley Wright and Theo John. Wright is averaging 18 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while John is averaging 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
The second game will be No. 5-ranked Rochester John Marshall against Riverside High School (Wis.) at 11 a.m. The Rockets are led by the brother tandem of Michael and Matthew Hurt. Michael Hurt has signed to play for the Gophers and is averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists per game. Younger brother Matthew is the top freshman in Minnesota and is averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds and three assists per game.
The third game is No. 3-ranked Maple Grove against West High (Iowa), set for 12:45 p.m. The Crimson are led by Division I recruits Reid Nikko and Brad Davison.
The final game features No. 2-ranked and defending state champion Apple Valley against Lausanne Collegiate High School (Tennessee). The Eagles are led by one of the top juniors in the country in Gary Trent Jr., who is averaging more than 32 points per game and eight rebounds. Tre Jones, the younger brother of Tyus Jones, also averages 13 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore.
Fans who have tickets to the Timberwolves game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night can get into the Timberwolves Shootout for free. Otherwise, you can buy a ticket for all four games for $25.