Spring Stock Risers
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Who has been playing well this spring and which players have increased their stock? We are taking a look at players from North Dakota and South Dakota who have been impressive in AAU hoops so far. Some of these players…
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Continue ReadingWho has been playing well this spring and which players have increased their stock? We are taking a look at players from North Dakota and South Dakota who have been impressive in AAU hoops so far. Some of these players I had not seen play live before and they really impressed me in their first showing. Others have had a boost in their recruitment. Either way, we have a mix of players from ND and SD, young and old. Take a look…
SPRING STOCK RISERS
Zach Kraft Zach Kraft 6'2" | PG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’2 G| ECI 17U Prospects Moormann/Grand Forks Red River
He had a quality high school season and was an All-EDC player. Kraft keeps growing and stretching out. He is now up to 6’2. The Red River Rifle has been playing very well this spring and he is a sniper from beyond the arc. 2 weeks ago in Council Bluffs, Zach averaged 16 ppg, and this past weekend at SPTS #1 Kraft avered 20 ppg. He also knocked down an impressive 9 three-pointers against the Schoolers. The future looks bright for one of the smoothest players in ND.
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| D1 Minnesota/Bismarck Century
This impressive sophomore was an All-WDA and All-State selection for the State qualifying Patriots. He is one of the top shooters in the Midwest. Schafer shot over 44% in the high school season and he is knocking down three triples a game in AAU ball. Isaiah is a combo guard that can run the 1 with precision or sprint the court and make plays on the wing. Schafer is equally effective in pull-up and spot-up shooting. He has been gaining interestest from college coaches and I imagine it is only going to increase as the word gets out on Schafer’s deadly shooting
Darik Dissette Darik Dissette 6'4" | SG Minot | 2023 State #300 Nation ND (2023) |6’4 SG| ND Phenom 2023/Minot
It started with a State Championship and the State Tourney MVP. Since then Darik has picked up offers from UND and NDSU. I think he is primed to blow up and to keep gaining interest. Dissette has the perfect combo of length, athleticism, IQ, hard work, skill, and clutch playmaking ability. His outside shooting continues to improve as well. Dissette is a “Must Watch” player.
Tate Grossman Tate Grossman 6'4" | SG Harvey/Wells County | 2023 State ND (2023) |6-4 G| ND Phenom 2023/Harvey-Wells County
He is a long and athletic guard. Grossman might be a class B player, but Tate has proven that he can play with the best in North Dakota. He has also proven at “Live Events” that he belongs on the court with high-level athletes. At times, Grossman has shot the ball at a very impressive rate as well. Tate has the ability to guard 1-3 and play both on and off the ball offensively. Good things happen when Tate has the ball in his hands. He consistently gets deep in the paint with penetration against top-notch teams from across the county. Time to take notice of Mr. Grossman!
Ayden Stainbrook Ayden Stainbrook 6'5" | SF North Border | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’4 SF| ND Attack 17U/North Border
He was an All-State player and Ayden had the Eagles ranked as one of the top teams in Class B all season. So far on the AAU scene, Stainbrook is averaging 15.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 bpg, and 1.1 spg. Ayden is getting an impressive amount of interest from college coaches at this point in the spring. He is a long forward/wing that can really shoot from the perimeter. Stainbrook can also put it on the floor, get downhill, and WHAM it. Ayden will also post up and make plays on the wing. His athleticism and length make him a versatile defender. Stainbrook is also a basketball junkie that works hard on his game.
Gavin Muirhead Gavin Muirhead 6'7" | PF O'gorman | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’7 PF| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Walker/O’Gorman
He did not get a ton of varsity minutes because the Knights were so deep and talented. However, Muirhead was still able to make some splashy plays and highlight-reel-type alley-oop dunks this season. At Prep Hoops Live, Gavin had a coming-out party and he was spectacular. His Schoolers went 4-0 and Muirhead dunked and slammed his way through the weekend at Lawrence. He also shot blocked and rim protected at a high level. I was very impressed with his outside shooting from beyond the arc. Gavin Muirhead Gavin Muirhead 6'7" | PF O'gorman | 2023 State SD is absolutely a name that coaches need to know.
Reis Kirschenman Reis Kirschenman 6'5" | C Tea Area | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’5 PF| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Walker/Tea Area
He had an excellent season for the Titans and Reis grabbed 19 rebounds in one game, a new school record for boards in a game. Kirshenman is a big-time football recruit that is getting heavy interest from the D2 and D1 levels. It should come as no surprise that Reis is a physical, strong, and powerful player on the hardwood. He was excellent 2 weekends ago at PH Live. His physicality really stood out and he looks like a D1 football player on the basketball court. I like the way he moves without the ball and how Reis does not avoid contact on the way to the rim. Kirshenman is very active on the glass and on defense.
Mandalla Mohamed Mandalla Mohamed 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’2 SG| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Walker/Sioux Falls Washington
I watched him play a couple of times during the high school season and you could tell he moved well and had some skill. After seeing Mandalla play live in Lawrence, I believe he is better than I initially thought. He is a next-level athlete with good size and strength. Mohamed is a selfless player that would rather set up a teammate than score himself. He is an athletic finisher at the rim. Mandalla is also a tough defender that can clamp down on opposing guards. Everyone needs a player like Mandalla.
Ethan Determan Ethan Determan 6'2" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’2 SG| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 Maschino/Harrisburg
He was an All-State selection in the always difficult Class AA and Determan also helped get the Tigers to the State Tournament. Ethan was one of the best offensive players in SD with 19 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.5 apg, FT% 81.9, 3FG% 43.6, and 71 made 3’s. In AAU, he has picked up right where he left off in the high school season. Determan is putting up quality points and knocking down shots at consistent clips. If college coaches want a smart player with good size and accurate shooting, then they will want to get eyes on Determan.
Spencer Barr Spencer Barr 5'11" | PG Aberdeen Central | 2023 State SD (2023) |5’11 G| Pentagon Schoolers 2023 National Team/Aberdeen Central
He had a nice high school season but came down with a minor injury and missed a bit of time. He came back later in the season and is 100% healthy. Spencer has been on college coaches’ minds as he has recently picked up a couple of offers. Barr is an extremely hard worker that will do whatever it takes to help his team win. He is 100% hustle 100% of the time. Barr is a sparkplug and a good athlete. When I watched him this weekend, he always finished at the rim, no matter how big the player was that contested. Spencer is a stat stuffer and a productive player on both ends. His shooting stroke is also a thing of beauty. Stock is up on Barr!
Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'2" | SF O'gorman | 2023 State SD (2023) |6’6 F| SD Attack 17U/Sioux Falls Jefferson
He had a great season while helping Jefferson get to the State Tournament. He and Ashley were the two DUDES for the Cavaliers this season, so Kaden knows how to shoulder the load. In AAU ball, Year has been excelling. Two weekends ago in KC, the Attack team was missing a few players. Kaden stepped up in a big way and really had himself a nice weekend. There was a good amount of college coaches checking him out all weekend.
Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD (2024) |6’6 G/F| SD Attack 16U/Lennox
This young star was a 2nd Team All-State selection and he averaged 19.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, and 3.2 apg. In one game this season Ihnen put up 45 points in a single game. In the AAU season, Porter has been putting on a show. Two weekends ago, he had a great weekend in Kansas City. He is gaining interest from the Summit League and Mid-Major level at this point. Ihnen is a lefty and it seems like his hand is always hot. He can pour it in from all over the court and Ihnen can WHAM it with authority. Porter has handles like a floor general and he rebounds like a center. The kid for Lennox deserves your attention!
Jacoby Mehrman Jacoby Mehrman 6'4" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD (2024) |6-4 PG| SD Attack 16U/Harrisburg
He was the PG for the State qualifying Harrisburg Tigers. As a sophomore, Mehrman was one of the best lead guards in South Dakota. The super soph put up impressive numbers with 15.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2 spg, 34.7 3FG%. Early this spring in Indianapolis, Jacoby put on a shooting display and drained many 3-pointers (7 in one game). This showed that he is not just a big strong PG, he can also do his fair share of scoring and make the defense pay. Mehrman is effective in the pick-n-roll game, has good court vision, and he is a smart kid. What is not to like? College coaches will be licking their chops after they see Jacoby play.
Logan Conklin Logan Conklin 6'5" | SF Minot | 2024 ND (2024) |6’4 F| ECI 16U Prospects Cummings/Minot
He helped his high school team to a 25-2 record and a State Championship. Conklin is a sound and durable player that does not mess around on the basketball court. Logan is a fundamental player that makes smart basketball plays. His athleticism allows him to dunk often and protect the rim. His rebounding is productive and he can match up against multiple positions on defense. Conklin is an intriguing player with high updside.
Lucas Kupfer Lucas Kupfer 6'5" | SF Bismarck Legacy | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’5 F| ECI 16U Prospects Cummings/Bismarck Legacy
I saw him for the first time at ECI tryouts and this kid is a rising star. Much like his older brother, Lucas is a stud athlete. His days at Legacy are going to be bright. He is a long lefty that can put the rock on the floor and make plays. He runs the court well and he can score around the basket. Kupfer can also stroke the 3-ball. Lucas can get up and finish above the rim. He has all the pieces to be a college basketball player and coaches should be taking notice.
Grayson Schaeffer Grayson Schaeffer 6'5" | SF Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’4 F| ECI 15U Prospects Hoeg/Minot
He is another Minot kid that looked good on film and I did not realize how talented he was until I saw him in person. Like most of the Minot players, Schaeffer is tough, hard-nosed, and a blue-collar worker on the hardwood. Schaeffer’s ECI coach describes him as a “freak athlete”. A tough, fundamental player, and a freak athlete, what is not to like? Grayson also sticks out as a rebounder and versatile defender.
Aric Winczewski
Aric
Winczewski
6'2" | CG
Minot | 2025
State
ND
(2025) |6’0 G| ECI 15U Prospects Hoeg/Minot
He is the son of the legendary coach Winczewski, so he has that going for him! Aric was a contributing player for the MHS State Championship run this spring. He is a mature player that is wise beyond his years. I saw him on film this winter and I could tell he was a nice player. When I saw him live this spring, wow was I impressed. He shoots it better than I thought and he is outstanding at getting downhill. Aric is a creator for others and he finishes at the iron. Winczewski is an excellent communicator and a stout defender.