SD State Tournaments: Prospect Notes

The state tournaments brought a lot of talented prospects together to compete at their highest levels and high levels of pressure and importance of these games. Winning streaks and legacies were on the line. It takes time to watch all of the games, but here we’ll highlight some notes and do an update on some things I’ve seen from the prospects. More to come.

JT Rock JT Rock 7'1" | C Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 #37 Nation SD – 7’1 C 2024 – Sioux Falls Lincoln – Iowa State – Rock is the #1 rated overall prospect in South Dakota. He brings a ton to the table and is highly valuable to his Lincoln squad. An impact rim-protector that was at 4.5 blocks per game on the season. He was highly consistent throughout the tournament from game-to-game and didn’t really have any poor moments.

Damon Wilkinson Damon Wilkinson 6'10" | C De Smet | 2023 State SD – 6’10” C 2023 – De Smet – South Dakota State University – Wilkinson, the newly committed SDSU Jackrabbit, had the biggest impact and was the main difference-maker in the state B tournament. He brought a ton of extra defensive attention from teams and rebounded the ball at an impressive clip.

Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'6" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD – 6’5” F 2026 – Mitchell – The top-rated prospect in the 2026 class is a wing/forward that is an athletic and tough prospect. He wasn’t shy in the state AA tournament, showing an aggressive style and sense of belongment. He’s a high-end prospect that needs to develop more of a guard-like skill set, to go along with his demeanor and size/length/movement combination.

Griffen Goodbary Griffen Goodbary 6'9" | PF Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD – 6’7″ PF 2025 – Sioux Falls Christian – An interesting tidbit is, that as a Freshman, Griffen was 6’1″ and he grew to 6’7″ as a Sophomore. I appreciate length and upside more than anyone, so I’m high on Goodbary.

Britton Mulder Britton Mulder 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Christian | 2025 State SD – 6’2” SG 2025 – Sioux Falls Christian – A high-upside guard with an obvious positive wingspan and can score the ball. Really like this prospect. He’s the #5 rated 2025 prospect in the state.

Griffin Wilde Griffin Wilde 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – 6’2” SG 2023 – Sioux Falls Jefferson – SDSU (Football) – Wilde’s stock is majorly ascending after the state tournament. Behind Rugby Ryken Rugby Ryken 6'0" | PG Yankton | 2023 State SD , I thought Wilde was the second most valuable player in the tournament. Wilde ran the floor and was a high-level transition player, finishing at the rim. He was making plays all over the court — on both ends. Brings energy, quickness, and toughness.

Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'6" | SF Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – 6’5 SF 2023 – Sioux Falls Jefferson – Dakota Wesleyan University –Year recently committed to Dakota Wesleyan University. The leading three-point shooter for Jefferson in the regular season. An all-around prospect that can dunk and shoot.

Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'1" | PG Mitchell | 2025 SD – 6’0″ G 2025 – Mitchell – Talley was one of the most efficient and accurate three-point shooters in the AA tournament. He hit some big threes in big games, when it mattered most. For three he went — 2-2, 3-4, and 4-6 in the champioinship game for a total of 9-12 in the entire AA tournament. He’ll be with Team Warwick this offseason and is one to watch because he will continually improve. No Myers or Soulek next season, so Talley could take off.

Steele Morgan Steele Morgan 6'4" Mitchell | 2023 SD – 6’5″ F 2023 – Mitchell- Dakota Wesleyan University – Steele had a great opening game vs Pierre, scoring 18 points on 7-9 shooting. He was very patient in the paint and slowed himself down to shoot and score at such an efficient rate.

Gavi Soukup Gavi Soukup 6'1" | SG Mitchell | 2024 SD – 6’2″ G 2024 – Mitchell – Soukup is a nice guard to be bringing off the bench, for a stacked Mitchell team. He’s a more highly-counted-on player on most teams in the state. He can play and could breakout as a more prominent scorer next season.

Aiden Myers Aiden Myers 6'1" | PG Mitchell | 2023 State SD – 6’1″ PG 2023 – Mitchell – Aiden brought a lot of energy and aggression as a ball-handler. He was playing fast and brought a ton of pace to the game. Even in the half-court setting.

Lincoln Kienholz Lincoln Kienholz 6'3" | PG Pierre | 2023 State SD – 6’3″ G 2023 – Pierre – Ohio State University (Football) – Pierre’s leading scorer at 18.5 points per game and one of the best overall athletes in the state tournaments.

Ben Heisler Ben Heisler 6'3" | SF Pierre | 2023 State SD – 6’3″ G/F 2023 – Pierre – Pierre’s second leading scorer during the regular season at 14 points per game. A two-footed jumper that jumps out of the gym.

Jackson Edman Jackson Edman 6'7" | SF Pierre | 2023 State SD – 6’7 PF 2023 – Pierre – Black Hills State University – Edman was a beast in the state AA tournament, and was successful in his big-time matchups in the state tournament. Rebounded at a high level. Brought consistent effort and energy.

Camron Maciejewski Camron Maciejewski 6'1" | SG Hot Springs | 2024 State SD – 6’1″ G 2024 – Hot Springs – Averaged 9 points per game in the regular season. Was the leading scorer in the opening matchup vs state champs Dakota Valley, with 11 points on 4-11 shooting.

Jaxson Wingert – 6’7″ PF/C 2024 – Dakota Valley – Wingert brings consistency in his effort and energy. He’ll play and battle until the ball is securely possessed. Will be playing with Sanford Sports Academy this off-season.

Luke Bruns Luke Bruns 6'0" Dakota Valley | 2025 SD – 6’0″ G 2025 – Dakota Valley – Little brother Bruns can stroke the three-ball. Not a guy you can leave open and let him square-up his shot and smoothly release it.

Ethan Koltz Ethan Koltz 6'11" | C Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2023 State SD – 6’10 C 2023 – Sioux Falls Jefferson – Southwest Minnesota State University – Koltz didn’t light-up the stat sheet, but he shows a presence in the interior with his 6’10” frame.

Jacoby Mehrman Jacoby Mehrman 6'4" | PG Harrisburg | 2024 State SD – 6’4” SG/PG 2024 – Harrisburg – Jacoby did a lot of good for his improving stock. He’s proven that he can create his own offense and score from all three levels. Was able to hit high-difficulty shots. Crafty around the rim and can contort his shot to score.

Ethan Determan Ethan Determan 6'3" | SG Harrisburg | 2023 State SD – 6’3” G 2023 – Harrisburg – Dakota Wesleyan University – Determan wasn’t as efficient scoring the ball as he’d probably like, but he did have 28 point game. He was 10-26 from the field.

Ethan Bruns Ethan Bruns 6'6" | SF Sioux Falls Christian | 2023 State SD – 6’6″ SF 2023 – Sioux Falls Christian – The Class A first-team All-Stater is a beast. Averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game on the season. By my knowledge, he’s still uncommitted and available.

AJ Akot AJ Akot 6'4" | SF Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 State SD – 6’3” Wing 2023 – Sioux Falls Washington – Akot was one of the more lengthy and athletic wings in the State AA tournament. Great in transition with his ability to run and jump.

Garry Crowe Garry Crowe 6'5" | PF Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 SD – 6’5” PF 2024 – Sioux Falls Lincoln – Crowe is playing behind a D1 commit in Rock, so he has some limitations in terms of valued playing time, since Rock can play heavy minutes. But Crowe is someone to watch with his lengthy frame and athletic movement. Moves well in all directions. A lanky and athletic frame.

Gage Gasca Gage Gasca 6'7" | C Sioux Falls Washington | 2023 SD – 6’7” PF 2023 – Sioux Falls Washington – Opened up with 17 points versus state champion Yankton.

Rilpuou Machol Rilpuou Machol 6'6" | PF Roosevelt | 2023 State SD – 6’5” C 2023 – Sioux Falls Roosevelt – Machol comes off the bench for Roosevelt and he brings high energy on both ends. Runs the floor hard.

Landon Potts Landon Potts 6'1" | CG Yankton | 2024 State SD – 6’2” SG 2024 – Yankton – Potts comes off the bench for Yankton. He comes in and is an offensive creator that can create his own shots and make plays on his own, with his skilled handle on the ball.

Mac Ryken Mac Ryken 5'10" | SG Yankton | 2023 State SD – 5’10” G 2023 – Yankton – Mount Marty University – Ryken was critical for Yankton, scoring 29 points in the opening win over Sioux Falls Washington.

Braeden Feeldy Braeden Feeldy 5'10" | SG Harrisburg | 2025 State SD – 5’10” PG 2025 – Harrisburg – Feeldy is a great on-ball and pressure defender. Moves extremely well laterally and can simultaneously slide and pressure the ball.

Easton Neuendorf Easton Neuendorf 5'10" Hamlin | 2025 SD – 5’11” PG 2025 – Hamlin – Neuendorf was a big reason in Hamlin advancing in the opening win over Sioux Valley. A big win and a big 22-point performance for the Class A All-State selection.

Bryon Laue Bryon Laue 6'8" | PF Castlewood | 2025 State SD – 6’8” PF 2025 – Castlewood – Laue, who is currently the #1 rated 2025 prospect in the state — did not disappoint — and was dominant at times.

Aidyn Janis Aidyn Janis 6'4" | PF Hot Springs | 2025 State SD – 6’3 PF/C 2025 – Hot Springs – The 2025 prospect filled in nicely vs Dakota Valley, playing 15 minutes and scoring 8 points.

Maverick Nelson Maverick Nelson 6'3" | SG Sioux Valley | 2025 State SD – 6’2” G 2025 – Sioux Valley – 5 points and 7 rebounds (5 offensive) in opening game vs Hamlin. Was 0-3 from three-point range.

Evan Stormo Evan Stormo 6'3" | SF Hamlin | 2025 State SD – 6’3” SG 2025 – Hamlin – 12 points (3-11 3FG) in Hamlin’s win over Sioux Valley.