Best of the Circuit: Dakotas 16U & 17U
We are back with more Best of the Circuit. We are moving up age divisions but still focusing on North and South Dakota. Who looked good on the Prep Hoops Circuit – Hard Work Region? Check below, we have 13…
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Continue ReadingWe are back with more Best of the Circuit. We are moving up age divisions but still focusing on North and South Dakota. Who looked good on the Prep Hoops Circuit – Hard Work Region? Check below, we have 13 players from The Next Level Basketball Academy, Bears Tail Basketball, Pack 2023, and Arena Basketball Club. The Pentagon Schoolers are obviously from SD but we did an article earlier in the week on the entire squad.
Some of these players are flying a bit under the radar, they played well this spring/summer and they deserve some attention & recognition!
Best of the Circuit 16U-17U ND & SD
Sam Senske Sam Senske 6'5" | SG Hawley | 2023 State MN |6’5 SF| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2023
The Golden Nugget is a pure bucket that can hurt you in many ways, has a polished offensive game
He controls the tempo and manipultates his defender, has an extra-sweet pull-up J, great feel for hoops
Spots up for triples, scores from mid-range, produces around the rim, better athlete than people realize
Vuciri Hakim Vuciri Hakim 6'4" | SF Shanley | 2023 State ND |6’’5 PF| The Next Level Level Basketball Academy 2023
Has all the intangibles to be great, had a nice showing last Friday night against opposing studs
Does the little things to help his team, also produces on the glass, effective rim protector, legit scorer
Above the rim finisher, has a nice baby hook, can knock down the 15 foot jumper, has loads of potential
Alex Wheelock Alex Wheelock 5'11" | PG Fargo Shanley | 2023 State ND |5’10 PG| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2023
A quick and shifty point guard, hustles after the ball and will dive on the floor, team first player
Has a good-looking three-point shot, if you give him room the Deacon will knock down the triple
Improved nicely over the AAU season, not the largest guard but plays with heart and is nicely skilled
DJ Smith |6’3 G| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2024
He was one of my favorite guards in the 16U division, always plays hard, strong and physical
One of the best mid-range pull-ups I saw, fantastic at getting two feet in the paint and making plays
He can also drill triples, tough matchup for smaller guards, physical finisher with good bounce, tons of potential
Owen Hoyme Owen Hoyme 6'1" | SG Kindred | 2024 ND |5’11 G| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2024
He sticks out as a big time three-point threat, Hoyme is a reliable and effective shooter from deep
Has improved over the course of the Circuit as a defender, tough and gritty on D, talks his game
Draws attention from the defense with his 3-point shooting, can also score at the cup, always improving
Erick Paye Erick Paye 6'5" | PF Grand Forks Central | 2024 ND |6’5 PF| Bears Tail Basketball 2024
Named to the All-Tournament Team this past weekend at the Hustle Region Finals in California
Powerful & explosive athlete with a college-ready body, performed great all AAU season
Difficult matchup with his strength inside, athletic slasher, and a rim-rcoking dunker
Dalton Lamp Dalton Lamp 6'1" | SG Jamestown | 2024 State ND |6’0 G| Bears Tail Basketball 2024
He is fresh of a nice performance out in California at the Hustle Region Finals
Shot the ball well everytime that I have watched him play over the course of the Circuit
Great pull-up jumper, his step-back is equally impressive, can take over a game with his J
John Angau John Angau 6'4" | SG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024 State ND |6’2 SG| Bears Tail Basketball 2024
This Mustang has a very long wingspan, can shoot over defenders and deflect passes on D
A couple weeks ago at Prep Hoops Live in Atlanta, Angau erupted for 9 made triples in 1 game
Stretches the floor and keeps defenders honest, has deep extended range, easy & effortless shot
Keetan Eagle Keetan Eagle 5'10" | SG Bismarck | 2024 ND |5’10 SG| Pack 2023
In multiple events I have watched Keetan shoot it hot from beyond the arc, moves great w/out the ball
His feet and hands are always ready to shoot and Keetan has a quick trigger, he shoots it w/out a conscious
A scrappy player that is not afraid to mix it up in the paint with bigger players, fights for rebounds, tough
Andre’ Austin Andre’ Austin 6'3" | CG Bismarck | 2025 State #388 Nation ND (2025) |6’1 G| Pack 2023
He was playing up two age divisions and still stood out as an athlete, very strong and has great body control
Injured his ankle and missed some games, came back at the end of the summer and toughed through it
An excellent slasher with a long, low, and quick first step, a physical and versatile finisher at the basket, gym rat
Teysean Eaglestaff Teysean Eaglestaff 6'7" | SF Bismarck | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’6 SF| Pack 2023
He is new to North Dakota via South Dakota, he will be hooping with the mighty Demons from Bismarck
Expect him to follow in his big brothers footsteps (Treysen Eaglestaff), he is very skilled with a polished game
Stood out playing against older opponents, a special shooter with a great stroke, playmaker, will be a DUDE for BHS
Jaxon Hennies Jaxon Hennies 6'1" | SG Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD |6’1 G| Arena Basketball Club 2023 Berridge
A very tough kid that knows how to make winning plays, stood out as a grinder, hustler, and a timely playmaker
He is more skilled and a better shooter than I realized, creative off the bounce, flexible finisher, can nail the 3-ball
Late in the game you want the ball in his hands, not afraid of the big moment, makes plays on both ends of the court
Sam Faldmo Sam Faldmo 6'4" | SF Dakota Valley | 2023 State SD |6’3 SF| Arena Basketball Club 2023 Berridge
He is another winner from Dakota Valley, plays as a small forward but can also be a wing, Swiss Army Knife baller
Plays selfless ad makes smart decisions, hardworking defender, tough in the pick-n-roll game, works hard on the glass
Will do whatever it takes to get the W, he can do it all, flexible & versatile defender, does the little things, hardnosed