2026 SD Rankings: Player Reviews 1-10
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The 2026 SD Prospct Rankings came out on Thursday, time to look at the Top 10! Read below for some of the best prospects & players from South Dakota in the freshmen class. This players are the real deal! Player…
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Continue ReadingThe 2026 SD Prospct Rankings came out on Thursday, time to look at the Top 10! Read below for some of the best prospects & players from South Dakota in the freshmen class. This players are the real deal!
Player Reviews
He played up a year in AAU ball and Colton had an abundance of success. Smith does a ton of damage from the wing, post, and the elbow. He is deadly off the catch no matter where he gets the ball. Smith finishes very well in traffic and through contact. Colton is an advanced rim-protector and he will keep growing, he is scary in the paint! Smith is aggressive on the glass and an overall dominate player. This skilled and impressive athlete is going to have a big year of hoops! I am excited to watch him play for the Kernels this winter. His best is yet to come!
This young Oriole has all the tools and intangibles to be a star. Gerdes is close to being a complete player even though he is in 9th grade. Tate is very athletic and he knows the game well. Gerdes can play in and out and this kid thrives as a playmaker. If you like hoops, Gerdes is a name to know!
Much like the the other Warwick players on this list, Ellwein is a baller. He has expansive length, smokes jumpers with a smooth stroke, improves every week, does good work on defense and hits the glass hard. Blake will do whatever the team needs and he makes others better. Blake is another youngster on the rise!
He put up 20 points on Lower Brule last season when I was watching. Marvin is much more than skilled! He is a PURE basketball player and only a 9th grader. He will fill-it-up in the blink of an eye and pick your pocket on the other end. Marvin has a good head on his shoulders. Watch him play, it is easy to see that this kid is on a different level. His ball skills are amazing, his J is silky smooth, and his feel for the game is phenomenal!
He stuck out to me last winter as an 8th grader vs. Sioux Valley. Luke cut his teeth on varsity last season. He will force/cause many TO’s this year and not back down from anyone. I like his skills and scoring ability. Sheppard is young, but he has a bright future. Keep your eyes on this Flier!
Look out for this Watchdog! Some people consider James to be a “freak athlete”. Malachi will be a serious varsity player this winter. His work ethic is unmatched and he is a butcher off the bounce. Malachi can slice up the D! He makes eye-opening plays around the rim. James is an above the rim finisher, a hard worker, and a player that you want to watch this winter!
He is as tough as a boiled owl! Briggs plays for a smart coach that will make him a better player. Knutson has a high IQ and he causes problems when guarding the ball. Briggs can also stretch the D and bang triples. This young BV kid is a serious player!
He plays for a great program that always wins. It just so happens that Carson is a fierce competitor and a bulldog on defense. He will hit from deep and dish assists like a PG. Carson has good knowledge and he is a timely playmaker!
He can shoot it from anywhere and hit it! His blood lines have basketball running through the veins, “Buzzy” also has a ton of height in the tree. Gylten is a PG and a creator, he can slash and score for buckets. He is a polished player when it comes to skill. “Buzzy” will hit and hurt you from every level. Gylten is a major player to keep track of.
His future is on the incline. Ryder can take over a game with scoring, passing, and creativity. If he gets room, Johnson will hit it in your face. He is fleet footed and tough. Do not get in Ryder’s way, he will make you pay! Expect the Tiger to get some varsity burn this season.