Noteworthy AAU Players 2.0
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Today we are checking out more “Noteworthy Players” from North Dakota and South Dakota. We have guys that have played exceptionally well all AAU season. We also have players that have turned it on lately and they are beginning to…
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Continue ReadingToday we are checking out more “Noteworthy Players” from North Dakota and South Dakota. We have guys that have played exceptionally well all AAU season. We also have players that have turned it on lately and they are beginning to make some noise. Read below for information on 16 players from the Dakotas and 1 from Iowa.
NOTEWORTHY AAU PLAYERS
Braeden VanBockern Braeden VanBockern 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD |6’2 SG| SD Attack 16U
He is an intriguing player and you should expect his stock to rise in the next prospect rankings. Braeden has been shooting the cover off the ball. The 16U SD Attack team is loaded with stars and that is what Braeden has started to look like. He has had some monster-scoring games. VanBockern has had some of his best games against the toughest competition. There are big things to come from Mr. VanBockern. He is just scratching the surface of his potential. Look out, this Tiger is the real deal!
Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND |6’6 PF| ECI 16U Prospects
If you like physical post players then you will love watching Zeller. The big & tough Spartan has been creating a ton of second-chance opportunities for ECI by grabbing offensive rebounds. Carter has improved his three-point shot and has been knocking down triples occasionally. This added range to his game makes Zeller a scary player. He has been a complete beast in the paint on both ends of the floor. Oftentimes, Zeller plays like a man amongst boys.
Ethan Russell Ethan Russell 6'6" | SF Aberdeen Christian | 2023 State SD |6’6 SF| SD Attack 17U
He will be one of the top players in Class B next season and Aberdeen Christian will be one of the preseason favorites to win the State Championship. Russell has had a nice AAU season and in the past two tournaments, he has been great. Ethan showed how dangerous he can be in St. Cloud and Atlanta. He is a scary 3&D player that can also get the job done inside the arc. Russell’s pull-up jumper is impressive and he is a nice athlete. Expect Ethan to finish the AAU season on a high note.
Isiah St. Romain Isiah St. Romain 6'3" | SG Williston | 2024 ND |6’2 SG| ECI 16U Prospects
This player from Williston was new to ND last season and he was a breakout player in the WDA. He has been excellent in AAU ball as well. This past weekend in KC, Isiah played up with ECI’s 17U team and he thrived. St. Romain brought impressive energy to the floor and it was contagious throughout the tournament. Isiah was a great teammate that rebounded well and he did a nice job of helping out with ballhandling duties. The Coyote averaged in the double digits for points and he made big plays on defense. St. Romain played so well, he might finish the year playing up with the 17U team.
Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND |6’9 PF| ECI 16U Prospects
The BIG from HCV has caught fire from three lately! In today’s game, everyone loves forwards that can nail the 3-ball. That is what Brandt has been doing lately! ECI has seen a good amount of zone as of late and Brandt is shooting a nice mid-range jump shot to counter that defensive look. His back-to-the-basket game has really grown this offseason and Brandt is scoring the rock from down low. He has also been blocking shots and playing solid interior defense. Jacob has certainly been a stock riser this summer.
Jacoby Mehrman Jacoby Mehrman 6'4" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD |6’4 PG| South Dakota Attack 16U
He runs the “1” in high school ball and in AAU hoops, Mehrman has been a combo-guard. You have to love his versatility. Jacoby has been showcasing his talent at an impressive level. His strength as a guard is awe-inspiring and Mehrman has been shooting it from 3pt land at an impressive clip. It is rare to see a guard with his physicality. He is also a smart player that makes others around him better. Jacoby and the Tigers will be a top team this coming year in AA. If you have not watched Jacoby play then you are missing out. There is still time left in the AAU season!
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND |6’3 SG| ECI 16U Prospects
He has made great strides on the defensive side of the ball, Sem has been locking in for coach Cummings. Jeremiah has always been a gifted offensive player. This summer Sem has become a complete player because he has bought in on both ends. Sem has been making splashy plays with steals that lead to SHOWTIME dunks on the other end. Jeremiah has also been chasing guys down in transition and pinning the ball off the backboard. Sem is a human highlight reel.
Jesse VanKalsbeek |6’3 SG| SD Attack 16U
The kid from Iowa is starting to turn heads with SD Attack. Jesse has a ton of potential. His older brother is an All-American at the next level, so you know that Jesse has that basketball blood. VanKalsbeek is a serious offensive threat with a ton of skill. He looks like he will keep growing and could get up to 6’6″+. VanKalsbeek is from MOC-Floyd and he has a high ceiling.
JT Rock JT Rock 7'1" | C Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 #37 Nation SD |7’1 C| SD Attack 16U
He has been spectacular all spring and summer for SD Attack. Rock gathers a crowd wherever he plays and he always impresses. JT has an impressive list of scholarship offers from the BIG10 and other Power 5 schools. JT’s skill set and mobility for his size are amazing. Last weekend in ATL, Rock had a couple of unreal games in front of a large group of college scouts. Ask any D1 coach in the country, they will know the name JT Rock JT Rock 7'1" | C Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 #37 Nation SD .
Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'2" | SF O'gorman | 2023 State SD |6’6 F| SD Attack 17U
He has been really really good all spring/summer for SD Attack. Kaden already has a few offers and I am assuming that they will keep coming in. I watched Year a couple of times in June and he was better than advertised. He is such a tough matchup with his size and skill. He hits the 3-ball, slashes, and scores in the paint. Defenders have to pick their poison. His size and skill are tough to match up with. Kaden is fresh off a very nice performance in Atlanta.
Lucas Kupfer Lucas Kupfer 6'5" | SF Bismarck Legacy | 2024 State ND |6’4 SF| ECI 16U Prospects
He has been a big stock riser in the past year. Kupfer has become a rising star and he should be an impact player in the WDA this winter. When playing with ECI, Lucas has been super-efficient by attacking the rim and scoring a high percentage of the time. This lefty has a plethora of moves that he uses to break down the defense. Kupfer’s spin-move has been noteworthy and his Euro-step around the basket is amazing. If you have not watched him live, get this player on your watchlist.
Nyun Dut Nyun Dut 6'4" | SG O'Gorman | 2025 State SD |6’1 G| Pentagon Schoolers 15U Walker
He has been one of the best players on his Schooler squad. Dut played extra special last weekend in their Sioux Falls tournament. Nyun can do everything on the court and he does it well. He shoots with precision, drops dimes, and attacks the paint with great handles. Nyun has been performing well all summer for the Schoolers. Expect that type of play to continue to the end of the AAU campaign.
Porter Ihnen Porter Ihnen 6'5" | CG Lennox | 2024 State #318 Nation SD |6’5 F| SD Attack 16U
He already has one offer and it is from USD. I will not be surprised if Porter has more coming his way very soon. Ihnen has been playing at a super high level. He runs the PG for SD Attack and Porter has been thriving. You do not see many 6’5″ point guards, but that is exactly what Ihnen is. He has all the skills you could ask for and his hoops IQ is high. Porter is also a gifted scorer and a highly productive rebounder. He will be an impossible matchup this winter for Lennox, look out for Ihnen and the Orioles.
Raymond Brown Raymond Brown 5'11" | PG Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND |5’11 G| ECI 17U Prospects
This summer, Ray has proved that he is a college-ready player. He has the skill and athleticism to put him at the next level. Brown has been tough all season for ECI. His change of pace with the ball in his hands makes Ray almost unguardable. He is constantly beating his man and penetrating into the second level of the defense. Ray has been excellent finishing at the rack and he has been a menace on the boards. Brown has led this ECI team is rebounding all year. He has also been great on defense and a thorn in the side of opposing ballhandlers.
Reis Rowekamp Reis Rowekamp 6'4" | SG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND |6’4 SG| ECI 17U Prospects
This Roughrider has improved his overall game a ton in the past year. Reis is shooting it hot from three-point land. His pull-up game has been spot-on, Reis is finishing consistently at the rim with both hands. Rowekamp is also defending at a high level. This summer, Reis has been guarding the opposing team’s best player. I have watched Reis a few times this summer and he has been potent on the offensive end, he has been crushing it in the catch-n-shoot game. Get ready for a great end to the AAU season and a monster senior year.
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD |6’0 PG| SD Attack 17U
This All-State PG is a next-level athlete and he already has an offer from Augustana. I watched Ashley play this summer in Fargo and he was a better shooter than I realized. I knew he was athletic but he exceeded my expectations in that category as well. For AAU ball, Ashley missed tournaments this spring with a minor injury but he is back and turning heads. Taylen has been a difference-maker for SD Attack. He is a dynamic athlete and a team player. Ashley is easily one of the top PG’s in the Dakotas. He will certainly be playing college basketball if he so chooses, the question is at what level?
Zach Kraft Zach Kraft 6'2" | PG Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND |6’2 G| ECI 17U Prospects
He has shown that he is a next-level player with a complete game to his name. PHD likes to call Kraft the “Red River Rifle” because he is one of the best 3-point shooters in North Dakota. In AAU ball, Zach has been lights out from 3-pt land. He is shooting a very high percentage from beyond the arc. His shooting confidence seems to be through the roof right now! Kraft has perfected a quick release and he scores from every level. His pull-up game has been great and he scores at the cup. Zach rarely turns the ball over and he sees the floor like a hawk. He has been excellent at getting his ECI teammates involved. This kid deserves more attention from college coaches!