North Dakota’s Best Dunkers
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Since it’s the 4th of July let’s look at explosive players. Who brings the fireworks, who are the rim-rockers? Read below to see who is the best at finishing above the rim in ND. Alphabetically here are the Top Dunkers…
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Continue ReadingSince it’s the 4th of July let’s look at explosive players. Who brings the fireworks, who are the rim-rockers? Read below to see who is the best at finishing above the rim in ND.
Alphabetically here are the Top Dunkers in North Dakota:
Carson Yale Carson Yale 6'9" | PF Des Lacs Burlington | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-8 F| Des Lacs Burlington/ND Phenom – He is long and he can fly to the rim. Yale can do a smooth 2-handed flush and a 2-handed hammer and everything in-between. Carson can do a sweet 2 handed reverse, plenty of spins, and can slam it with either hand. Yale is an intriguing young dunker.
Conner Kraft Conner Kraft 6'5" | PF Shanley | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-7 F| Shanly/Howard Pulley – Kraft has been getting serious interest from Division-1 schools this summer. When you watch him dunk, he certainly looks the part of a D-1 recruit. When Conner dunks, it is all power and sheer athleticism. He can get up in a hurry and pound it with authority. I witnessed many 2 handed slams from him this past year. Kraft also looks impressive slamming back O-rebounds. He is a highlight dunker!
Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'5" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2024 ND (2024) |6-4 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan – This past season he was the most athletic Class-B freshman that I saw play. He dunks, flushes, and slams effortlessly. Deng has really grown as a dunker. He started off dunking a volleyball and now Deng is slamming reverse dunks and catching alley-oops for whams. A great part about his dunking game is that he can go off two feet or one. Deng is the best young dunker in Class-B.
Ethan Manock Ethan Manock 6'4" | PF Wahpeton | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-5 F| Wahpeton – When it comes to dunking his explosiveness is what sets him apart from others. Most of his dunks last year were off dribble penetration by a Huskie guard who drew help and dished to Ethan. Manock would jump from 2 feet and hammer the dunk with 2 hands. He also put down multiple tip dunks off offensive rebounds. I think of power when I see Manock dunking.
Gus Hurlburt Gus Hurlburt 6'9" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-9 F| Enderlin/D1 Minnesota – I watched him play quite a bit last season, and he dunks early and often in every game. Gus is a two-foot quick dunker. He gets to the cup fast! He spaces well without the ball and his teammates will set him up for a flush. Hurlburt will also wham it in transition. Gus can flush it with class or slam it with swagger!
Jaiden Peraza Jaiden Peraza 6'5" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-4 F| Kindred – Much like Olson, Peraza showed off his dunking in the Class-B postseason. Jaiden is like a few others on this list, he is a powerful and strong dunker. It seems like everything for him is a rim-rocking dunk. Peraza gets many of his slams from alley-oops and put-back whams. If you like watching violent dunks, check out Peraza.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND (2024) |6-3 G| Fargo North/ECI – He can wow the spectators with his dunking ability. He can out-jump just about anyone he goes up against, and he will only be a sophomore. From alley-oops to one-handed slams in traffic, Sem does it all. Last summer as an 8th grader he was dunking on people, the ECI coaches knew he was going to be special. Jeremiah is better than advertised in person, he is an amazing dunker! If you have not seen him play yet, make sure you do soon.
Joe Hurlburt Joe Hurlburt 6'10" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State #147 Nation MN (2022) |6-10 F| Enderlin/D1 Minnesota – He dunks more than layups, runners or floaters. If he is close to the cup he will dunk it. With Joe’s length and athleticism, he can do many “trick” and “copy-cat” dunks like NBA players. He does not just do them in practice, this summer Joe had a between the legs slam in the Court Plus league. Hurlburt has flair in his dunking ability, if you can imagine it, he can most likely dunk it that way! There is a reason he will be playing Pac-12 ball for Colorado. Hurlburt is a stud baller and a magnificent dunker.
Michael Nhial Michael Nhial 6'7" | SF West Fargo Sheyenne | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-7 G/F| West Fargo Sheyenne/Team Sizzle – He can dunk in open space and do amazing things above and at the rim. Nhial had a few ridiculous dunks last season for the Mustangs. He can slam it with his left, right, or both hands. Mike can wham it on defenders as if they are not there. He is an impressive athlete and dunker.
Paul Olson Paul Olson 6'3" | SF Kindred | 2022 State ND (2022) (6-4 G| Kindred/ECI – If you watched Kindred play in the Region-1 Tournament or the State Tournament then you saw Olson jamming. He is one of the most explosive jumpers around. Paul dunks in transition, slashing through the lane, or on an oop. Paul is going to dunk whether it is on someone just depends if they move out of the way or not. He is fearless with a dunk first mentality.
William Ware William Ware 6'7" | SF Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-7 F| Bismarck Century/ND Phenom – He is a phenomenal athlete and a very quick jumper. Ware is no stranger to dunking on defenders. He rises quickly and slams it home with authority. William dunks it with 2-hands. This high-level athlete is a fun player to watch and a ferocious dunker.
Zander Albers Zander Albers 6'5" | PF Bismarck Legacy | 2022 State ND (2022) |6-5 F| Bismarck Legacy/ND Phenom – He is very very bouncy! Zander is an excellent jumper in track and field and he can jump out of the gym when playing basketball. He is the type of athlete that can win dunk contests! Albers can do tomahawks, windmills, and 360’s. Next season I expect him to dunk all over the WDA.