Future Gophers guard Isaac Asuma named finalist for MN Mr. Basketball

The Mr. Basketball of Minnesota committee announced its list of Top 10 candidates for the 2024 Mr. Basketball award Monday. Future Gophers guard Isaac Asuma from Cherry, Minnesota was one of the players listed. The award is given to the top senior in the state, so all 10 of these players are amidst their final season of high school basketball.

Full List:

• Isaac Asuma
  • High School: Cherry Secondary
  • Future College: Minnesota
• Daniel Freitag
  • High School: Breck
  • Future College: Wisconsin
• Jackson McAndrew
  • High School: Wayzata
  • Future College: Creighton
• Casmir “Cash” Chavis
  • High School: Park Center
  • Future College: Washington
• Jack Robison
  • High School: Lakeville North
  • Future College: Wisconsin
• Isaiah Johnson-Arigu
  • High School: Totino Grace
  • Future College: Miami (FL)
• Tameron Ferguson
  • High School: St. Cloud Tech
  • Future College: Unsigned
• Kyle Jorgenson
  • High School: Washburn
  • Future College: Colorado State
• Jalen Langsly
  • High School: Shakopee
  • Future College: Northwestern College (Iowa)
• Andy Stefonowicz
  • High School: Minnetonka
  • Future College: North Dakota State

The Mr. Basketball of Minnesota Committee is pleased to announce its Top 10 candidates for the 2024 Mr. Basketball award.https://t.co/pgwak7DiZI

— Mr Basketball MN (@MrBB_MN) February 26, 2024

Isaac Asuma has led Cherry to a 22-2 record so far this season competing at the single A level. Their only two losses have been to 4A schools (Forest Lake and Park Center). Recently against Fertile-Beltrami earlier this month, he nearly had a triple double with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Official stats are tough to find, but he has performed as one of the best players in the state. The Gophers only other currently signed 2024 recruit is Grayson Grove from Alexandria. Grove has been dealing with injuries all season, a major reason for why he’s off the list.

Overall, many Gophers fans have criticized in-state recruiting. Braeden Carrington was the first winner of the award to stay home since Amir Coffey (2016). Despite playing at such a low level, I think Asuma has a real chance of taking home the award, but Jackson McAndrew and Daniel Freitag are likely his toughest competition. No matter how the voting shakes out it’s great to see a highly touted Minnesota recruit like Asuma opting to stay home and getting some recognition.