#PrepHoopsLive Player Watchlist
In this article:
It is finally here, Prep Hoops Live starts in 2 days! There are 119 17U teams, 100 16U teams, and 87 15U teams playing in Live this weekend. The exciting thing is, this is an NCAA Certified Event. Expect the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt is finally here, Prep Hoops Live starts in 2 days! There are 119 17U teams, 100 16U teams, and 87 15U teams playing in Live this weekend. The exciting thing is, this is an NCAA Certified Event. Expect the sidelines to be full of college coaches checking out the talent.
PHD has put together a Watchlist with players that we want to see hoop this weekend.
See below for some impressive players from SD and guys that we think show out at Live!
Benson Kieffer Benson Kieffer 5'10" | PG Rapid City Christian | 2025 State SD (2025) |SSA 16U White/Rapid City Christian
WHY? This Comet is a gamer and a sparkplug. Benson averaged 15.9 ppg this season and he shot a hot 37 3FG%. Benson had a huge first weekend of AAU ball. He always seems like he is just one step ahead of everyone else, the game is really slow for him. Kieffer’s change of pace and craftiness around the rim is top-notch. This past weekend, Benson had some spectacular assists whether it was off the drive or if it was him pushing the tempo in the fast break. His jumper came up big several times for SSA during the end of games. Kieffer is an exciting player!
George Jensen George Jensen 6'6" | SF De Smet | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’5 SF| SSA 17U White/De Smet
WHY? George was asked to play a lot of different roles this past weekend and show off his offensive and defensive versatility. He led SSA in a lot of statistical categories but he showed a lot of people how much passion and determination he has. The kid truly has a winning mentality and will sacrifice personal stats for whatever the team needs. I expect George to continue this coming-out party this weekend and show off his versatility against great competition. The best part of Georges’s game is his versatility and ability to score at 3 levels but also guard 1-5. He truly brings do anything at all costs to win.
Jake Kuhl Jake Kuhl 7'0" | C West Central | 2024 State SD (2024) |7’0 C| SSA 17U White/Irene-Wakonda
WHY? Jake was an anchor on defense, in his 2 games this past weekend, he grabbed double-digit rebounds, altering and sending multiple shots into the stands. Offensively, he showed off his versatility by hitting open jumpers, getting multiple assists each game, and being a mismatch nightmare for teams to guard, he often got doubled or triple-teamed and found the open shooter or cutter for the assist. I expect a lot of the same this upcoming weekend due to his constant motor and his willingness to be a great teammate.
Mahki Winter (2025) |6’4 SG| SSA 16U White/Pipestone
WHY? This Minnesota kid is an intriguing player! Winter has the size and strength of a post player, yet he is making the transition to be a really good wing player. Other teams did not know how to match up with him this past weekend. Mahki got the rim a lot and was very crafty, finishing through contact and getting several and one opportunities. Winter has a ton of potential and I am excited to see how he does this weekend against other impressive athletes.
Maverick LeBrun Maverick LeBrun 6'4" | SG Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’2 G| SSA 16U White/Dell Rapids St. Mary
WHY? He is a long-armed player with quick hands. Maverick is a solid defender. One of his strengths is his mid-range jump shot. LeBrun can slash for buckets but he will also back down opposing guards. His fadeaway jumper is impressive. Maverick is a comb-guard that can play the 2-3 but can also run the point in the transition. He also does good work on the glass. LeBrun is a skilled and versatile weapon.
Nick Hanson Nick Hanson 6'8" | PF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’7 C| SSA 16U White/Viborg-Hurley
WHY? He was 2nd Team All-State and everyone raves about this kid. I have seen him on film and he is impressive, I imagine that Hanson is even better in person. Nick was dominant at times this past weekend. His size and length, combined with his athleticism and great hands make him a threat not just in the post during half-court offense but in the fast break scenarios as well. Oh ya, he can knock down three-pointers as well! Hanson is very difficult to guard in the pick-and-roll. He had several alley-oop dunks and one dunk off a fast-break opportunity in Sioux Falls. College coaches will want to see the big Cougar play!
Tyson Stevenson Tyson Stevenson 6'2" | SG Hamlin | 2024 State SD (2024) |6’2 SG| SSA 17U White/Hamlin
WHY? Tyson was in attack mode all last weekend and he gets to the rim with a variety of moves and is able to score over bigger defenders. PHD was most impressed with his effort on the defensive end and his getting multiple steals for fastbreak opportunities. He’s another guy you just know is going to have a big weekend due to his ability to step up in big situations and never shy away. The best part of Tyson’s game is that he is able to adapt and forget about the previous play, he truly has a next-play mentality.