In today’s day and age, it seems like most players are hoopin’ in AAU ball this time of year. However, not everyone does and you certainly do not have to play AAU to be a good basketball player. There are…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inIn today’s day and age, it seems like most players are hoopin’ in AAU ball this time of year. However, not everyone does and you certainly do not have to play AAU to be a good basketball player. There are many reasons why someone may not play AAU, we are not going to get into those today. In this article, we are taking a look at 13 North Dakota players and 1 South Dakota player.
Noteworthy Players not Playing AAU
Ethan Manock
Ethan
Manock
6'4" | PF
Wahpeton | 2023
State
ND
(2023) |6’4 PF| Wahpeton
He averaged 11.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, and 1.9 bpg. Ethan led Class A in rebounds per game and he was second in the State in blocks per game. Manock is a big, strong, and an extra-powerful post player. He is an aggressive 2-handed dunker that will it WHAM it like a sledgehammer. In the past two years, Ethan has had many thunderous offensive rebound putback slam-dunks.
Caden Hockert Caden Hockert 5'11" | SG Wahpeton | 2023 State ND (2023) |5’11 G| Wahpeton
He was one of the top shooters in the EDC this season. Hockert came out of nowhere. He averaged 16.1 ppg, made 71’s three-pointers this season, and shot a cool 34 3FG%. Hockert led the EDC in 3’s made per game with 3.23. That is an impressive stat as the EDC had many talented shooters this year.
Carson Bartholomay
Carson
Bartholomay
6'6" | PF
Enderlin | 2023
State
ND
(2023) |6’6 PF| Enderlin
He was a quality player on one of the best teams in Class B this season. Carson is very long and he is a nice athlete. He can play the 3 or the 4. Next season, he may be asked to step inside and play the 5 at times. This season, Bartholomay averaged 14.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 1.7 spg, and 1.2 bpg.
Tyson Enget
Tyson
Enget
5'11" | PG
Powers Lake-Burke Central | 2023
State
ND
(2023) |5’11 G| Powers Lake
He was a First Team All-State Player. His Ranchers went 23-1 on the season and Enget had eye-opening stats with 25 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 4.9 apg, 5 spg, 49 FG%, 27 3FG%. He may be the best rebounding guard in ND. Enget is a natural scorer and smart player that takes over games on a regular basis. Expect a phenomenal senior season from the Powers Lake STAR.
Landon Koenig
Landon
Koenig
6'7" | PF
May-Port-C-G | 2023
State
ND
(2023) |6’6 PF| May-Port-C-G
He was one of the top forwards in Region 2 this season and Koenig was a unanimous All-Region selection. Landon plays mainly in the paint and around the basket. He sees double-teams on the regular and Landon shares the ball well. He is a rim protector and a productive rebounder. Koenig is an efficient finisher at the cup. Koenig is also a very good baseball player.
Tahrye Frank Tahrye Frank 6'0" | SG Mandan | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’0 G| Mandan
As an underclassman, Frank was in elite company as an All-WDA player. Tahrye averaged 12.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.9 spg, shot 46.6 3FG% and he took 9 charges. Frank is a special athlete and an active playmaker on the court. He is the type of athlete that will play a sport in college if he so chooses.
Riley Sunram Riley Sunram 6'5" | PF Kindred | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’4 PF| Kindred
He was a big part of the Viking’s success this past season. Sunram helped Kindred win the Region 1 Championship and get to the State Championship. Riley is a special athlete and a big-time football recruit. On the hardwood, Riley is a physical forward and a strong overall player. He scores around the basket, drains 15-footers, and plays tough defense.
Jake Starcevic
Jake
Starcevic
6'2" | SG
Thompson | 2025
State
ND
(2025) |6’2 SG| Thompson
He is a mature, gifted, strong, and special athlete for only being a 9th grader. Starcevic excels at every sport that he plays. In hoops, Jake was on a tough Thompson team that picked up many wins this season. He is a very skilled 9th grader that can pass, shoot, and slash in an impressive fashion. Starcevic can run, jump, and dunk like few other freshmen can in the Dakotas.
Connor Thompson Connor Thompson 6'2" | SG Bishop Ryan | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’2 SG| Bishop Ryan
He missed the high school season due to an injury. From what I have heard, Thompson will be back to normal this summer and he will be 100% before we know it. He is a big guard that boards well and plays physical. His size and strength make Thompson a tough matchup and a great finisher at the iron.
Logan Arason Logan Arason 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’4 PF| Grand Forks Red River
You will have trouble finding a more physical player than Arason. He is a thick, stout, and powerful player. Check out this number, 25 is how many charges Logan took this season!! That is by far the most charges I have heard of a player taking in a single season. Arason is a standout in football and track/field. He looks to be a D1 football recruit in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Carter Byron Carter Byron 6'7" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2023 State ND (2023) |6’6 F| Grand Forks Red River
He will be the big man down low for the talented Roughriders, RR will bring back a big chunk of their talent next season. They will be a Top 10 team going into the season. He is a productive finisher around the rim that moves well without the ball. Byron can also stretch the floor and hit triples. His length and mobility make him a rim protector & rebounder.
Trey Swanson
Trey
Swanson
6'5" | C
Beach | 2023
State
ND
(2023) |6’4 C| Beach
He is a rough-and-tumble player that is not afraid to throw his muscle and weight around. Swanson is a double-double type player that will do his work in the paint. Swanson is a beast and a monster on the hardwood, especially around the basket. He is an intriguing football prospect and Trey has been getting a good amount of attention from college coaches.
Karter Menz Karter Menz 6'5" | C West Fargo Sheyenne | 2023 ND (2023) |6’5 F| West Fargo Sheyenne
He has completely blown up in the past year as a football recruit and Menz is getting scholarship offers from all over the country at a high level. His strength, athleticism, and tenacity make him a tough forward in hoops. Menz is a versatile defender, a talented rebounder, and an impressive dunker. The Mustangs lose a load of seniors, Karter should step up next season and play a big role for Sheyenne on the hardwood.
Lincoln Kienholz
Lincoln
Kienholz
6'3" | PG
Pierre | 2023
State
SD
(2023) |6’3 G| Pierre
He was a First Team All-State player in AA this season and Kienholz averaged 19.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg. He is likely the best dunker and most explosive player in South Dakota. Outside of basketball, Lincoln is a star at everything. He is a stud in baseball and a high-level QB recruit in football. He will be able to play basketball, baseball, or football at the next level if he so chooses. Kienholz is a generational talent in the Dakotas.
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