July is officially here. What has long been the hottest month and culmination of the AAU basketball season, July offers NCAA live evaluation periods in a time where the NCAA has become even more stringent upon grassroots basketball. Furthermore, it is championship month for all of the respective shoe circuits where titles are won, legacies are made, and recruitments explode. In preparation for those events, many will play a warmup game or two.
Enter The Circuit.
Holding its MPLS vs Everybody event, Circuit founder Alec Kinsky brought teams from Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for a one night Showcase that offered no games off. Aside from the shoe sponsored teams, there was an influencer team of ISO Elite and a squad entitled The Circuit All-Stars that boasted players from across sneaker party lines. Held at the gorgeous, brand new Hoop Habits facility, the event brought state of the art amenities along with some high level hoops to combine for a must see event for anyone in the state of Minnesota.
While there was a high level of talent across the board, it was the youngsters in the classes of 2028 and 2029 who stole the show at MPLS vs Everybody. Here are six players in particular who shined at The Circuit’s MPLS vs Everybody Showcase:
Malik Martin, 6’8, PF, MPLS Hustlers/The Circuit All-Stars 16U, 2029
Doing double duty with both his local team and the Circuit All-Stars, Malik Martin reminded everyone why he’s the best sophomore in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The powerful lefty made a number of explosive straight line rips to the basket, played above the rim on both ends of the court, and changed the game with his physicality. With a body that is already college ready, Martin had no problem shining against the older competition that The Circuit had to offer.
Ichima Idoko 6’8, SF, ISO Elite 17U, 2028
Running with Iso Elite (an influencer squad) rather than his usual Grassroots Sizzle squad, Ichima Idoko showed the tantalizing talent that has garnerd attention from high major programs all over the country. The two way lefty showed his ridiculous touch shooting the ball from the perimeter with high release, showed much more confidence playing through contact, and displayed how special of a defender he can be when locked in. All of the tools are there for Idoko and when he puts them all together, he leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind how special of a prospect he is.
Khaliq Austin, 6’4, PG/SG, The Pack 16U, 2028
Bouncing off of an outstanding MBCA Showcase that saw him attract the attention of high major colleges, Khaliq Austin carried over that momentum to The Circuit. The big time combo guard was elite with his ability to change speeds as a big guard and kept defenders honest with his jumper. Holding a number of mid-major offers, Iowa State has been reaching out as of late.
Jumair Wright, 6’2, PG, Hoop Habits 16U, 2028
Over the past year, there haven’t been many players in the state of Minnesota who have helped themselves more than Jumair Wright. At nearly 6-foot-3 now, Wright was one of the best players in the city League at Minneapolis South, but really showed that he’s more than a scorer with Hoop Habits on the circuit. Wright is a high level facilitator who can make difficult pocket passes, finishes through contact despite his slender frame, and is in attack mode any time that he has the rock. Still a bit under the radar, Wright enters his junior campaign as the top guard that the Minneapolis City League has to offer.
All of the info that you need for tonight’s @TheCircuit Minneapolis vs Everybody Showcase with vast majority of Minnesota’s top players along w/Dakotas,Iowa,Wisconsin crossing all shoe circuits.
Date: July 1st, 5PM CST
Location: @HoopHabitsMN
Schedule: https://t.co/CDB2BHu6vX pic.twitter.com/gfw491tWiL— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) July 1, 2026
Tre Moore, 6’0, PG, The Circuit All-Stars 16U, 2028
A D-1 prospect in both basketball and football, Tre Moore had to remind everyone that he’s one of the best playmakers in the state at the Circuit. Typically running with Grassroots Sizzle, Moore was much more confident shooting the ball from the 3-point line, changed the dynamic with his blazing end to end speed, and brought a competitive nature to both ends of the court. The younger brother of Minnesota’s top 2026 lead guard (ESPN Top-100 Jayden Moore) will ultimately have the difficult decision to make as to whether or not he wants to be a quarterback or a point guard at the next level.
Keller Hertz Barnett, 6’8, PF/C, The Pack 16U, 2028
Behind Austin, there isn’t a better college prospect in the state of North Dakota than Keller Hertz Barnett, and he showed that at the Circuit. The powerful big man flourished playing through contact in the paint, showed that he is a reliable -point shooter (especially from the top of the key) and surprised those who hadn’t seen him play with his ability to finish above the rim. Another player who has the potential to play D-1 in either basketball or football, Keller will have no shortage of options down the line.
Editor’s Pick
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