Player Reviews #21-#30: ND 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are looking at freshmen from North Dakota in this write-up. The 2026 Prospect Rankings came out a couple of days ago. Since this was the first ranking for the class, we have no Stock Risers or New Additions. Everyone is fresh! In recent articles, we have been looking at the top overall prospects and this piece is no different. Tonight, we examine the players ranked 21 through 30. The next Prospect Rankings for this class will come out in January/early February. It will be interesting to see how the players look early this season and who we need to add in the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"width":211,"height":132,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" width="211" height="132"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PLAYER REVIEWS</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63548c3c21cfc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1418035"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"He is a combo guard that can succeed as a primary ballhandler or as a SG. Benning is absolutely one of the best shooters in this class. He can also make things happen off the bounce, Chris attacks the paint fearlessly. The Saints have to be excited about Benning!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1545213"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"If you like defense and rebounding, Mr. White is your guy! He plays with high energy, Kenyatta can get out and score in transition. He has a  strong frame with a developing offensive skillset. White is likely a future stock riser!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1534507"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"He is the younger brother of All-Stater [player_tooltip player_id='1317710' first='James' last='Hamilton']. Michael's size and athleticism allowed him to play up two age divisions on a 16U team this summer.  Hamilton is a capable three-ball shooter with loads of potential.  Keep an eye open for this young Bruin. If Michael is anything like his older brother, he will be a stud in no time.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1338493"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This Packer is a hard-nosed and gritty old-school PG. He is a hard working 1-guard with sharp handles, that is for sure! When Samek is at his best, he is one of the top on-ball defenders in this class. He is a very capable shooter and do not be surprised when he posts his defender up! The coaching staff at WF has to be ecstatic about Samek. He looks to be the PG of the future for the Packers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1415637"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"This Squirrel is a competitor that will do what it take to help his team. Colton is an athletic left-handed wing that can attack and finish with the best of them. He plays with a lot of energy and is very difficult to slow down in transition. Cruchet has shown the ability to be a smothering defender. The future is bright for this CC kid!","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1422852"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Rylee has basketball blood in his veins! He and his brother Brylee make up a dynamic duo who now play for the Braves. Rylee is a long and skilled combo guard. Bears Tail has nice handles and he is a very capable shooter. Rylee has experience playing various defensive schemes with his length, which gives opposing guards fits!  It will not be long before we see Rylee and his twin brother filling the scorer's sheet on a nightly basis!","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1541297"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"KK has great size as an off-guard and is one of the top shooters in the 2026 class. He will likely be shooting the lights out this winter in the new Horace gym! Although a capable ball handler, KK has improved his play off the ball and as a result is a better all-around player. It is just a matter of time before this Hawk is soaring in the EDC!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1632620"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"We have another talented Hagler from North Star!  Hunter has a very mature frame and is he not afraid to play physically. While his offensive game continues to develop, Hagler's defense and rebounding make it difficult to take this Bearcat off the court! Look for Hunter to start this year, not many guys on in the rankings will be varsity starters this season. North Star and the Hagler brothers will be scary in Region 4!","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1510912"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Have we mentioned yet that Century is loaded with backcourt talent?  Xander is an exciting young prospect that has an explosive first step and he is difficult to contain when he gets going downhill. As the game slows down for Hanson, he will become more efficient offensively. Hanson's lateral quickness makes him a valuable defensive player. Watch for Xander's stock to rise in the near future.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1418037"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"What do you know, another young and talented Patriot! Harildstad has a nose for the ball and is one of the top rebounders in the freshmen class. u0022Zu0022 improved his perimeter game this summer and he became more comfortable dribbling and shooting the rock.  Z is a big-time energy player that will quickly win over his high school coaches!","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->