For over 20 years, Breakdown Sports has been the authority for Minnesota scholastic high school events. Whether it be high school events, fall leagues, or summer events, Breakdown always offers events that are not only loaded with talent, but are exceptionally organized. The Breakdown Premier League is no different.
Held at legendary Hopkins High School (home to the likes of Kris Humphries, Royce White, Zeke Nnaji, Amir Coffey, Paige Buckers, and more), the Premier League ran for two weeks and provided an opportunity for many of the state's top teams to get some preseason run in. There was no shortage of talent in the gym (both in terms of teams and individually), and here are a few of the players who left their mark on the 2023 Breakdown Premier League.
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, 6'7, SF, Totini-Grace HS (MN), 2024
There may not be a player in Minnesota who has improved himself more in the past year and a half than Johnson-Arigu, and it showed yet again at this event. Johnson-Arigu is the epitome of a power wing, using his versatility to initiate the offense and defend countless positions, yet uses his ridiculous frame to punish defenders anytime that he gets into the paint. The son of a trainer, Isaiah uses his outstanding footwork on both ends and is an essential piece in a loaded Miami class.
Jayden Moore, 6'0, PG, Hopkins HS (MN), 2026
The true definition of a catalyst, Moore showed why he's not only the best 2026 point guard in Minnesota, but one of the best in the nation for the sophomore class. Having played varsity since seventh grade, he has an inmate poise on the hardwood similar to that of a college player. Moore constantly is one pass ahead, is learning to make defenses pay on going under screens on him with his jumper, and infects others with his cerebral play. Moore has already been on campus a number of times at Minnesota, but also holds offers from Illinois, Baylor, and West Virginia.
Daniel Freitag, 6'2, PG/SG, Breck School (MN), 2024
After briefly deciding to attend Southern Cal Academy, Freitag is back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for his senior campaign and is making huge strides as a playmaker. The freak athlete was exceptionally patient with his changes of speeds, made high level passes to cutters/shooters, and was a threat to turn the corner every time he was in ball screens. Despite being the top wide receiver in the state of Minnesota, Freitag has committed to Wisconsin for basketball instead.
Chace Watley, 6'2, PG/SG, Totino Grace HS (MN), 2025
Playing for an absolutely loaded high school team, not everyone is going to put up huge numbers and sometimes you just have to wait your turn to get your shine on. With Top 50 2023 point guard Taison Chatman on campus at Ohio State, it is now Watley 's turn to run the show for the two-time defending state champion Totino-Grace. The explosive lefty was outstanding finishing through contact, defended both backcourt spots, and played with a confidence we hadn't seen before out of him last Sunday.
Chiang Ring, 6'8, PF/C, Park Center HS (MN), 2024
The best shot blocker in Minnesota lived up to his billing at the Breakdown Premier League, totally controlling the interior this past Sunday. Ring showed off his outstanding timing, played with verticality, and moved his feet on the perimeter well enough to contain in space defensively. While defense is certainly his calling card at this point, Chiang has also shown long term potential as a lob threat and corner 3-point shooter. After seeing his recruitment hit a stalemate for a bit, Ring picked up nearly a dozen D1 offers after his play with J-Sizzle on the adidas 3SSB circuit.
Miles Newton, 6'4, SG/SF, Breck School (MN), 2025
While he isn't the biggest name in the state of Minnesota, Newton is the type of guy who college coaches need to be aware of. The angular wing shot the ball well from three, used his length to defend a variety of spots, and displayed really nice vision as an off the ball playmaker. Running with Howard Pulley in the EYBL, Newton is a name that you will assuredly be hearing more of.
