The 10 most on-the-rise athletes in Minnesota sports
For this effort, players like Justin Jefferson, Anthony Edwards and Kirill Kaprizov aren't on the list because we consider them established stars in their sports, even though they will most likely take their games to higher heights in the years to come.
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Diamond Miller
The No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft already has a starting role with the Minnesota Lynx and there's a chance she develops in the face of the franchise.
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Logan Cooley
The No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft was dominant for a Gopher men's hockey team that was No. 1 in the nation before losing in overtime to Quinnipiac in the national championship game. He's set to return for his sophomore season after leading Minnesota as a true freshman with 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists).
University of Minnesota Athletics
Mara Braun
A member of the 2022-23 All-Big Ten Freshman Team, Braun's talent transferred from Wayzata High School to the Gophers seamlessly and she looks to be the star of the team going forward. As a freshman, she averaged 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists and those numbers are sure to rise in 2023-24.
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Joe Ryan
The Twins' right-hander is proving to be a frontline starter this season, posting a 7-1 record with 2.21 ERA. That's the seventh-lowest earned-run average in the majors (through May 25). Maybe the best stat about his hot start is his MLB-best .243 xwOBA, which is a fancy number to show that batters are making terrible contact against him.
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Royce Lewis
The perennially highly-rated prospect in the Twins system has had injury setbacks the past couple seasons but in his first stint in the majors Lewis slashed .300/.317/.550 while hitting two home runs and driving in five RBIs in just 12 games. As Lewis continues his comeback this season, he's clubbed three homers and driven in nine runs in just 30 plate appearances in the minors. He should be up with the Twins by June 1.
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Brock Faber
The Wild defensman went from a heartbreaking loss in the national championship game with Gophers to starting for the Wild just a couple days later. The 20-year-old showed poise in a tough playoff series playing in all six games in the first round series loss.
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Bongokuhle Hlongwane
In just his second season with the Loons, Bongi leads the team in scoring with seven goals across all competitions, including a 95th minute game winning goal at Portland last Saturday.
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Christian Darrisaw
While some may feel he belongs in the 'established' category along Jefferson, Kaprizov, and Edwards the Vikings young left tackle is only going into his third season in the NFL. Darrisaw had the seventh best pass blocking grade among all tackles in the NFL in 2022.
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KJ Osborn
The Vikings wide receiver is coming off 60 catch, 650 yard, five touchdown season as the teams' third receiver. Now that Adam Thielen is gone, Osborn has a chance to takeover the WR2 spot and put up big numbers in Kevin O'Connell's pass happy offense, in a contract year no-less.
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Jaden McDaniels
The Wolves' 22-year-old forward put up career highs in points per game (12.1), steals (74) and blocks (76) in the 2022-23 season.
While many players across the league recognized McDaniels' defensive prowess, Mhe was snubbed from earning his first All-Defensive Team honors this past season. McDaniels' absence was felt in the Wolves first round series loss to the Denver Nuggets.
