Exceptional AAU Ballers

This is another take on our "Noteworthy AAU Players" article. We have North Dakota and South Dakota ballers represented in this article. These guys have been playing well in AAU/grassroots basketball and they need some attention! <h4><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/NDSDStandouts-crop-752x494-1656375136.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1496316" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/NDSDStandouts-crop-752x494-1656375136-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></h4> <h4>Exceptional AAU Ballers</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="1510493" first="Alex" last="Busch"] |6'1 G/F| Bears Tail Basketball 15U He balled out last weekend and looked good at Prep Hoops LIVE. Busch had a balanced and efficient offensive weekend in Atlanta. Alex scored at all three levels. He knocked down three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and buckets at the basket. Busch's added aggression when attacking the paint had been excellent and it has created extra scoring chances for him. [player_tooltip player_id="1227965" first="AJ" last="Akot"] |6'4 SF| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker He has been a beast on both sides of the floor. Akot is no doubt a next-level athlete. His length, timing, and leaping ability are certainly noteworthy. AJ has been blocking dunks and dunking on people! Earlier in the summer, I watched AJ put on a rebounding clinic. He was grabbing O-rebounds like they were pieces of candy at a parade. I love his unselfishness and he is a versatile defender. I am expecting a huge weekend at the PH Finals from Akot. Brian Zarazua |6'3 PG| Bears Tail Basketball 15U He is a long point guard for his young age. I have watched Zarazua multiple times this summer and the kid is an absolute STUD! He is buttery smooth with everything that he does. Brian has natural instincts and a phenomenal feel for the game. Zarazua had another solid tournament in Atlanta. He led the Bears Tail offense and he creates havoc on defense at the top of the press. BJ's work on defense leads to instant offense going the other way. He sees the floor amazingly well and drops dimes in fast-break situations. Zarazua was also great finishing athletically at the rim. This Spud is having a spectacular AAU season. B[player_tooltip player_id="1422852" first="Brylee" last="Bears Tail"] |6'2 G| Bears Tail Basketball 14U He is a long, skilled, and lanky guard that can get the job done at multiple positions. Brylee scores, boards up, and D's up multiple positions. Bears Tail has a sweet stroke on his jumper. He has been shooting it at an elite level this summer. Brylee is a smart player with a great understanding for both ends of the court. This summer, Brylee has performed very well in South Dakota, Iowa, and Georgia. Coming up this weekend, Brylee is going to get it done in Shakopee. This Bears Tail 14U squad will finish up the AAU season in KC on July 22-24. [player_tooltip player_id="1172924" first="Cole" last="Peterson"] |6'2 G| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker He is a Swiss Army Knife for the Schoolers. Peterson does a bit of everything on the hardwood. He does whatever his team needs. Cole is a team player that will do what it takes to get W's. In some games, he takes on the role of a scorer and in others, he does more facilitating. He is also a hardworking defender. Peterson is a great leader on and off the court. [player_tooltip player_id="1510468" first="Chris" last="Loggins"] |6'3 F| Bears Tail Basketball 14U He is an athletic forward who uses his athleticism on both ends of the court. Loggins is a gifted athlete who standouts as a slasher. Chris is a physical beast! He can run, jump, and score against any defender. Chris rebounds the ball very well and can guard 1-5 on the court. Loggins has had really good showings at Iowa Attack June Jam and Prep Hoops Live Atlanta. He will play in two more tournaments, this weekend in Minnesota (14U) and in Kansas City on July 22-24 (15U). [player_tooltip player_id="963766" first="Damon" last="Wilkinson"] |6'9 C| Pentagon Schooler 17U National Team The big & strong Bulldog is playing great basketball. Wilkinson is a walking double-double and an old-school post that demands attention. Very few teams have a BIG that can match up single-handedly. Damon moves great for his size and stature. Wilkinson is one of the best low post defenders, rim protectors, and rebounders in South Dakota. [player_tooltip player_id="1401336" first="Erick" last="Paye"] |6'5 PF| Bears Tail Basketball 16U When I say "power forward" he is just that, Paye is POWERFUL! He is a strong post who is very versatile on the block. Erick is a matchup nightmare. Teams can not guard him with 1 player on the post. As soon as he touches the ball he is double or triple-teamed. Paye is a willing passer but he is so strong that he can finish through multiple defenders. Eric had a great weekend down in Atlanta alongside his teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1372160" first="Atticus" last="Wilkinson"]. When they get going in the high-low game, it is nearly unstoppable. Erick has been making noise all summer and I expect that to continue for the rest of the AAU season. [player_tooltip player_id="1295267" first="Gavin" last="Muirhead"] |6'7 PF| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker His stock has risen more than anyone else this AAU season. This summer, Gavin has picked up multiple offers. His most recent has come from the University of Sioux Falls. If someone was keeping track of dunks and alley-oops from individual players, Gavin might be at the top of the list. It seems like every game he and Eng hook up for at least one alley-oop lob WHAM. Gavin is not just a dunker, he hits 3's, jumpers, and he can score off the bounce. Muirhead is a big-time shot blocker and he is an aggressive rebounder. Gavin can make the simple pass and he can thread the needle. I have a feeling the offers will keep on coming! Get ready for a huge weekend from the OG kid and a deep tourney run from the Schoolers at the Hard Work Region Finals! [player_tooltip player_id="1164807" first="Jacob" last="Nitschke"] |6'3 PF| ND Attack 16U Black He has been playing his best basketball as of late. In ND Attack's last event, Jacob played his best ball of the AAU season. He showed up every game on offense and defense. Nitschke is strong and tough on both ends of the court. If you want to score on him, it is not going to be easy. On offense, he is a physical finisher that does not shy from contact. Nitschke is a hardworking player that gives full effort every game. [player_tooltip player_id="1179065" first="John" last="Angau"] |6'2 SG| Bears Tail Basketball 16U This Mustang is a sharpshooter! Opponents can not leave him very much room to get a shot off or it's going to be a bucket. John had a great in Atlanta at Prep Hoops LIVE. In his second game, Angau made a crazy 9 three-pointers! His potency on offense has defenders chasing him around trying to get a hand because he shoots it so well. The Sheyenne kid is a sniper! He can go off at any moment and take over a game. You should get excited every time John shoots the ball, odds are it will be a made triple. [player_tooltip player_id="1422857" first="Jonathan" last="Roubideaux"] |6'4 PF| Bears Tail Basketball 14U He is a BIG who can score on the block and stretch the floor. Jonathan runs the court hard, posts up, attacks off the bounce, and shoots threes. Roubideaux rebounds the ball very well and can guard positions 2-5. Jonathan has had really good showings at Warwick Elite Invitational, Iowa Attack June Jam, and Prep Hoops Live Atlanta. The versatile Demon will play in two more tournaments. This weekend Roubideaux plays in Minnesota (14U) and at Kansas City on July 22-24 (15U). [player_tooltip player_id="1145107" first="Landon" last="Moser"] |6'1 PG| ND Attack 16U Black He has been playing exceptionally well this AAU season. Landon consistently puts up points from all over the court. When I watched Moser at Battle At The Lakes, his 3pt shot and mid-range pull-up were impressive. Landon was also excellent with the ball in his hands and pressure did not seem to affect him. The Jag's defense has been tenacious all summer. He is a true leader and a great PG. Landon is a scoring machine and a stock riser. Expect him to be a top guard in Region 1 this school season. [player_tooltip player_id="1390895" first="Mandalla" last="Mohamed"] |6'2 G| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker He is a lockdown defender for the Schoolers. Mohamed takes pride in his defense and it shows. He helps run the point for Walker's team and Mandalla has shined in that role. He gets his squad going early in games and he has been excellent at closing out close games. Mohamed has impressed me as an athlete with his electric plays in transition. Mohamed is a strong player that finishes above the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="963746" first="Matt" last="Eng"] |6'2 G| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker He has been one of the top shooters on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring. I am expecting more of that hot shooting this weekend in the Hard Work Region Finals. In the past, Eng was labeled as a "shooter", but he has shaken that off as he has been attacking off the bounce and scoring at the rim. Eng is now an equal opportunity scorer that will take what the defense gives him. Matt is a smart and clever defender. He takes care of the rock and handles pressure with ease. He is also the best alley-oop passer/lob passer that I have seen this year. [player_tooltip player_id="1145406" first="Max" last="Musland"] |6'4 SG| ND Attack 16U Black The long sniper from LLM shows up every tournament and he leaves it all out on the court. Musland puts up points with his length and soft shooting touch. His jumper is smooth and accurate. With his length, Musland can shoot over smaller defenders. He can really impact the game in a hurry from behind the arc. Max also impacts the game on defense with his long arms and height. Those stretchy arms get in passing lanes and alter shots. I like this kids game and I am suspecting another big HS season from this LLM Loboe. [player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] |6'1 PG| Pentagon Schoolers 17U National Team This kid lives and breathes basketball. Oli is a student of the game and if you watch him play it is immediately noticeable. This Schooler team has been missing players off and on and Vincent has been carrying them. Just like in high school hoops, Vincent is a stat stuffer that does it all. The Cossack guard has been averaging 7+ apg, draws a large number of chargers, and takes care of the ball against pressure. Oli is also a leader that directs traffic and dictates tempo. Let's not forget about the numerous games that Vincent has gone off for 30+ points in a game. [player_tooltip player_id='2423573' first='Reign' last='Battle'] |6'0 G/F| Bears Tail Basketball 15U The Moorhead Spud played well down in Georgia last weekend at Prep Hoops LIVE. Battle is an explosive player that showed up and showed out in ATL. Reign impacted each game at both ends of the floor. It is safe to say that Batte is a two-way player. He played excellent in transition and he is a load to stop in fast break situations. [player_tooltip player_id="963750" first="Spencer" last="Barr"] |5'11 CG| Pentagon Schoolers 17U National Team He might be the hardest worker in South Dakota. Barr would run through a brick wall if his coach asked him. Spencer had some big news recently as he committed to Jamestown. Some players will shift down and relax a bit after they commit. Not Barr, he has been playing as hard as ever. This past week in ATL, Barr had some nice offensive games where he scored in the 20's and high teens. He always makes a difference on the defensive side and his hustle is ever-present. Make sure you take time to watch Spencer play this summer or this winter in his senior season. You will not be disappointed! [player_tooltip player_id="1422852" first="Rylee" last="Bears Tail"] |6'2 G| Bears Tail Basketball 14U He is a long and athletic guard who handles the ball smoothly for 14U Bears Tail. Rylee has ball-on-a-string handles. He can score with either hand and he distributes the rock with accuracy. Bears Tail runs the offense and he controls the tempo of the game. He is an elite player with the ball in his hands. He is a shifty slasher and a creative ball player. With his mobility and length, Rylee can guard any position (1-5) on defense. Bears Tails has performed well all spring and he is fresh off playing high-quality hoops in ATL. This weekend he and the 14U Bears Tail team plays in the Cities (MN). They will finish the AAU season off in Kansas City on July 22-24. [player_tooltip player_id="1390906" first="Zander" last="Benz"] |6'7 PF| Pentagon Schooler 17U Walker I have watched him many times this spring and summer and it seems like Benz never has an off game. He always plays super hard and he always produces. The BIG man from OG owns the paint on offense and defense. Zander's flexibility on offense makes him a tough matchup. He hits 3's and he scores with a sweet baby-hook from the block. On defense, he moves his feet well on the perimeter and he protects the rim. Benz recently picked up an offer from Mount Marty University. His stock continues to rise. I will be front and center on Friday night to watch Zander play at the Hard Work Region Finals in Minneapolis.