Top junior DeMarcus Cousins checks Princeton star Jared Berggren at Gatorade Shootout
DeMarcus Cousins found the business center at his team's hotel Friday night and went online to do a Google search on Princeton center Jared Berggren.
The 6-foot-11 junior for LeFlore High School of Mobile, Ala., saw some impressive statistics on Berggren - 55 percent shooting and averages of 24.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 8.8 blocked shots.
Cousins, rated by many recruiting services as one of the top five prospects among juniors, wanted to be ready for the 6-10 Berggren, considered the top boys basketball player in Minnesota.
Though Berggren struggled Saturday against DeMarcus Cousins in Princeton's 71-55 loss in the Timberwolves Gatorade Shootout at Target Center, he earned respect from one of the nation's most sought-after prospects.
"I don't see too many guys in Alabama with his size and fundamentals," Cousins said. "He was kind of a tough matchup for us."
Berggren got off to a slow start, then had to fight off leg cramps in the second half. Cousins' imposing wingspan didn't make things easier. Berggren had the rare experience of having a slam-dunk attempt rejected by Cousins, who finished with 11 points, nine points, four steals, three assists and a game-high six blocks.
"That's never happened to me before in a game in Minnesota," Berggren said of Cousins' crowd-pleasing block. "Cousins is a great player. He does a lot of things for his team on both ends."
Berggren, who has committed to play for the University of Wisconsin, missed four of his first five shots from the floor, including two dunk attempts. He made only 6 of 17 shots and finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Berggren was hoping to make a strong showing against Cousins. Despite being an NCAA Division I recruit, he is relatively unknown in the Twin Cities, and Princeton has failed to advance to the Class AAA state tournament during his prep career.
"I have no clue about the bad start," Berggren said. "I was ready to play. It's disappointing I didn't play better. I know I have a better game than I showed."
Berggren managed to make a lasting impression on Cousins, a recruiting target of dozens of Division I programs. Cousins noticed one element in Berggren's game that he wants to work on when he gets back to Mobile.
"The turnaround jumper," DeMarcus Cousins said. "I like his form on that shot. He missed a few, but he knows how to get it off, and he looks good doing it. I want to learn that shot."
Autograph hunt: Moments after the Long Beach Poly girls basketball team defeated St. Paul Central on Saturday morning, Poly guard Ashley Wilson asked for a pen and paper.
Wilson had spotted Lynx guard Lindsey Harding sitting three rows behind the Poly bench, and she dashed to request her autograph before the team headed to the locker room. Harding obliged, capping a productive day for Wilson, who had 11 points, two steals and two assists in the Jackrabbits' 66-51 win over the Minutemen.
Quote of the day: LeFlore coach Otis Hughley, upset with a player who let a pass go through his hands and out of bounds, stood and yelled at the player as the team went back on defense. "You've got hands like feet!" Hughley barked.
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