Top Rim Protectors from ND & SD
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At every level of basketball, rim protection is vital. Great teams all have players who defend around the rim. It takes ability, effort, patience, and skill to protect the rim. Here are players from ND and SD that do a…
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Continue ReadingAt every level of basketball, rim protection is vital. Great teams all have players who defend around the rim. It takes ability, effort, patience, and skill to protect the rim.
Here are players from ND and SD that do a great job of Protecting the Rim:
(Players are listed Alphabetically)
Ben Brooks (2025) Madison/SD Attack – He is already a 6’6″ beast. At his age with his height, he is the ultimate shot blocker. Brooks is not just tall, he is athletic. He leaps quickly and attacks the ball in the air. Look out for this long big man from SD.
Brooks Nelson Brooks Nelson 6'3" | SF SF Christian | 2022 State SD (2022) SF Christian/Pentagon Schoolers – At 6’3″ he is a very athletic wing player. He meets potential scorers at the rim like a wall. Nelson will challenge every shot. He is a competitor and a gamer. Brooks is a quick jumper with active hands. His versatility and energy make him an active rim protector.
Bryer Kaczynski Bryer Kaczynski 7'0" | C Wyndmere/Lidgerwood | 2023 State ND (2023) Wyndmere-Lidgerwood/ND Phenom – He is a huge 6’11″, we do not see that very often in North Dakota. His career-high for blocks in a game is 10. Kazynski is improving by leaps and bounds in all facets of his game. He can swat the ball out of the air like it is a pesky fly! He and Hurlburt will be the top rim protectors and shot blockers in Region-1 next season.
Caden Hinker Caden Hinker 6'6" | PF Mitchell | 2022 State SD (2022) Mitchell/SD Attack – He is 6’7″ and an all-around baller. Hinker is long, rangy, and he makes everything he does look easy. He has a high IQ and a great sense of awareness. Caden has excellent timing and he can get off the floor quickly. Hinker is as bright as they come and he anticipates greatly. He is a special player.
Carter Zeller Carter Zeller 6'6" | PF Fargo North | 2024 State ND (2024) Fargo North/ECI – He is 6’5″ and as tough as a nail. Carter is fearless and he does not seem to care how old or tall the opposing player is. Carter does a nice job of staying vertical when players attempt a shot. Because of his strength, opposing players will bounce off or deflect when they go against a vertical Zeller. He roams the paint and protects it like it his home.
Conner Kraft Conner Kraft 6'5" | PF Shanley | 2023 State ND (2023) Fargo Shanley/Howard Pulley – He is 6’7″ with extreme athleticism. Kraft is long and he moves greatly. Conner is a big-time shot blocker. He can hammer a shot off the backboard or swat the ball into the bleachers. With his long arms and jumping, ability Kraft can erase many shots. Conner has gained interest from many D-1 and D-2 schools. His rim-protecting ability is just one of the many attributes that college coaches love about him.
Dominic Dosmann Dominic Dosmann 6'8" | PF WF Sheyenne | 2022 State ND (2022) West Fargo Sheyenne/ECI – He is a lanky 6’8″ with what looks like room to grow. Dosmann seems to always be in the way when the other team wants to get to the basket. Dominic has a long wingspan that allows him to alter, tip, and block shots. When a big play is needed or a stop must be had, Dominic will be there. I expect him to be one of the leading shot-blockers in the EDC next season.
Ethan Manock Ethan Manock 6'4" | PF Wahpeton | 2023 State ND (2023) Wahpeton – He is a thick and powerful 6’5″. He swats shots more like he is spiking a volleyball instead of blocking a basketball! I have witnessed Manock violently bash shots from players who thought they had an easy two points. Instead, Ethan came from help side to take the shot away. He moves well and shows hard to keep attackers away from the iron.
Jacob Brandt Jacob Brandt 6'10" | PF Hillsboro/Central Valley | 2024 State ND (2024) Hillsboro-Central Valley/ECI – He is a whopping 6’8″ and he moves smoothly. Jacob knows what he is doing when it comes to erasing shots. He keeps his feet on the floor and he waits for the ball to get into the air before he leaves his feet. Brandt has great timing. He excels at coming from help side to block a shot.
Jaxen Johnson Jaxen Johnson 6'5" | PF North Border | 2022 State ND (2022) North Border/ND Attack – He is a fearsome 6’5″ with a great motor. Johnson seems to have extra-long arms and he is very strong. He is no stranger to blocking shots. Jaxen’s presence in the paint keeps rival players from coming in. He is one of the best rim protectors in Northeast ND.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND (2024) Fargo North/ECI – He is 6’3″ and who knows how tall he will get after. Sem is already a scary player. Jeremiah is a Power-5 Level athlete. He made this list because of his big-time blocks when hustling back in transition or when helping on the backside when someone attacks the hoop. Sem can jump out of the gym and he has great timing. He is a spectacular shot blocker.
Joe Hurlburt Joe Hurlburt 6'10" | PF Enderlin | 2022 State #147 Nation MN (2022) Enderlin/D1 Minnesota – He stands 6’10″ with long arms. Joe’s career-high for blocks in a game is 13, that is an insane number! He has 180 blocks for his career. Hurlburt is committed to Colorado for hoops, so obviously he is an elite athlete. Joe has great timing and a knack for swatting the ball out of the air. The older he gets the fewer blocks he racks up because opposing players avoid going to the basket when he is near.
JT Rock (2024) Sioux Falls Lincoln/SD Attack – This young giant is 6’11″ and physically gifted. JT makes an impact on the game just by being 6’11″ and being in front of the basket. His length and athleticism allow him to go up and tip/deflect shots. Rock can also change the game by keeping his hands high and blurring a shooter’s vision. This youngster is a prospect rising fast and furuios.
Kalen Garry Kalen Garry 6'3" | SG De Smet | 2022 State SD (2022) De Smet/Pentagon Schoolers – This 6’2″ combo-guard is a dude on the offensive end. Kalen can also do impressive things on defense. Garry is very athletic and he is ultra-competitive. He will do whatever it takes to win. Kalen can play above the rim on both ends of the floor. Garry challenges opposing players at the rim which significantly lowers the percentage of the shot. Combo-guards and wings can protect the rim also!
Max Froslie Max Froslie 6'8" | PF Fargo Davies | 2023 State ND (2023) Fargo Davies/ECI – He is 6’7″ and he moves like an athletic wing instead of a post player. Max is very active and he is fleet-footed. He has great closing speed that allows him to block shots from the backside or when getting back in transition. Froslie’s size and length could be the difference-maker for the Eagles when it comes to how far they make it in the post-season.
Nathan Koole Nathan Koole 6'8" | C SF Christian | 2022 State SD (2022) SF Christian/Pentagon Schoolers – He plays at 6’8″ with great agility. He can D-up at multiple spots on the floor. However, with his height, length, and mobility, he is best at protecting the rim. Nathan swats, blocks, and deflects shots at a high rate. His height and length also deters players from attacking all the way to the iron.
Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND (2023) Bismarck Century/ND Phenom – He goes 6’9″, Ryan is also strong and tough. His sheer size will keep some players away from the rim. Erikson deters penetration to the cup because opposing players would rather pull up or pass it instead of being bodied up by this big man.
Treysen Eaglestaff Treysen Eaglestaff 6'5" | SF Bismark | 2022 State ND (2022) Bismarck/D1 Minnesota – He is a long 6’5″. Eaglestaff is a basketball junkie that lives and breathes hoops. He knows when to go for a block or when to just get a hand in the opposing player’s face. Trey does a great job of getting vertical with two hands and contesting at the rim.
Zander Albers Zander Albers 6'5" | PF Bismarck Legacy | 2022 State ND (2022) Bismarck Legacy/ND Phenom – This 6’5″ D-1 caliber athlete is as bouncy as they come. Wow, he is an impressive jumper. Zander can go verticle with players attempting to score and take away their shot. His awareness and balance also make him an elite shot blocker. Albers can also alter shots as good as anyone.