#PHStompingGrounds 16U Watchlist
In this article:
The Prep Hoops Circuit is heading to the Sanford Pentagon! This is going to be a fun event as all the games will be taking place in one facility. There is a talented group of players coming to this tournament.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit is heading to the Sanford Pentagon! This is going to be a fun event as all the games will be taking place in one facility. There is a talented group of players coming to this tournament.
For this Watchlist Article, we are sp ECI fically looking at sophomores from North Dakota and South Dakota AAU teams. Bears Tail is a ND program with two players from Moorhead (MN) included in this piece. The rest of the players in this article are all from the Dakotas.
3ND 2025
Kaden Flavin Kaden Flavin 5'11" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |5’11 G| Minot
WHY? The best part of Flavin’s game is his quickness and speed. He plays with a very high motor and is excellent off the dribble with pull-ups and floaters. Flavin’s 3-point shot is pure. He is an elite perimeter defender who thrives on the ability to get steals and convert those into transition points. Flavin is an underrated passer. He will have a big weekend because his game has come together at the right time, he was injured most of last summer, but now he is healthy.
Kaiden Helm Kaiden Helm 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’2 G| Minot
WHY? He impressed me last summer and I saw him do some nice things during the high school season. The best part of his game is having the ability to score in multiple ways from all 3 levels. He makes the right passes when the shot is not there. Helm’s defense is much improved which is a requirement for the high school system he is in. Kaiden will have a big weekend because he loves to compete against the best competition and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
Bears Tail Basketball 2025 Swanson
Parker Brodina (2025) |6’4 G/F| Devils Lake
WHY? He was an All-EDC player this high school season. Brodina is a big physical guard/wing. He can score around the hoop and from 3-point range. Producing around the hoop is definitely a strength of Parker’s. He has been doing a really good job of being a leader for this Bears Tail team. I think he will be too strong and physical for many defenders to stop. I am interested to see his 3pt shot, his passing, and defense.
Jenner Smude Jenner Smude 6'4" | SG Century | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’4 SG| Bismarck
WHY? He impressed me last summer as a long shooter. This winter, Smude had some big-scoring games. I want to see if he can keep that going at Stomping Grounds. Smude is known as an elite shooter, once he gets going it is hard to stop him. He is a 3&D player. At the same time, once he “gets it going” Jenner can really open things up for the rest of the team.
Bears Tail Basketball Zarazua 3SGB
Brian Zarazua (2025) |6’3 PG| Moorhead
WHY? He is long and he knows his way around the court. Brian gets it done on both sides of the ball. He can create his own shoot and for others. He has a high IQ for the game of hoops. He can score on all four levels. 3pt land, mid-range, at the rim, and the FT-line. I like his control, speed, skills, and demeanor on the hardwood. Zarazua is a leader and a playmaker. He was super impressive last summer when I watched. BJ had a nice high school season when he came back from injury. I am expecting him to be one of the top guards in Sioux Falls.
Reign Battle (2025) |6’1 G/F| Moorhead
WHY? He is lightning in a bottle! Battle scores in bunches and he plays bigger than he is. He can guard 1-5 because of his strength and athleticism. Reign crashes the boards and runs the floor hard. Battle is a Swiss-Army-Knife kind of player. He is the Moorhead Spud version of Draymond Green! It is going to be fun to see what Reign brings to the court at the Pentagon.
ECI 2025 Selects
Cameron Klefstad Cameron Klefstad 6'4" | PF Grand Forks Red River | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’2 SF| Grand Forks Red River
WHY? He has played phenomenally as of late. No matter what, Cam is going to be a consistent player. His ability to stretch the floor, but also battle in the post, makes him a unique player. I think he will have a big weekend because he competes at a high level and plays consistently no matter the weekend. Cam cleans up the boards and is a presence in the paint. Klefstad will do that for this team regardless of who they are playing!
Payton Schell Payton Schell 6'3" | SG Minot | 2025 State ND (2025) |6’0 G| 2025 Minot
WHY? Payton has been playing great thus far. He uses his length to make momentum-changing defensive plays. On the offensive end, Schell has an uncanny ability to shoot the lights out. If he sees a couple go through the net, he is a very fun player to watch. Payton will have a great weekend because he does not have to rely solely on scoring to change the game. He gives the team so much on the defensive end that he is a factor regardless of whether he is scoring or not!
Gibson Kinnebrew Gibson Kinnebrew 6'3" | SG Bismarck Century | 2027 State ND (2027) |6’2 G| Bismarck Century
WHY? Gibby is playing up two age levels, he is still just in 8th grade. However, once you see him, he will not look like a JH kid. Kinnebrew will be an elite prospect in the 2027 class, and in the near future, he will likely be a high-end prospect from the entire Midwest. Gibby is already an impressive dunker and he gets ridiculous elevation on his jump shot. He is skilled beyond his years and he can score from every level. I am interested to see how he matches up with older players and how he shoots from beyond the arc. I also want to see how he fits in the ECI Selects since he is a pick-up player and how he does on D against older players.
Sacred Hoops Edman
Luke Olson Luke Olson 5'11" | PG Pierre | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 G| Pierre
WHY? He finished the season for Pierre as the best true PG on the team. Olson has a large amount of momentum coming into the summer. He can shoot it at a consistent rate. Luke can get to the rim whenever he wants and he is a great passer. As he goes this Sacred Hoops team will go. He will set the tempo for this squad. Olson is a young PG to keep eyes on.
Mason Ennis Mason Ennis 6'4" | SF Brandon Valley | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’4 F| Brandon Valley
WHY? He is 6’4” athletic wing who does not take possessions off on either end of the court. Ennis works hard for every offensive and defensive rebound. Mason loves to finish through contact and he can shoot the 3-ball. He will block a lot of shots this summer and he is a playmaker. I am excited to see the up-and-coming Lynx play.
Sanford Sports 2025 Grey
John Lent John Lent 6'3" | PF O'Gorman | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’4 F| O’Gorman
WHY? I watched him play last summer and I was impressed with his physicality, persistence, and presence around the basket. Lent was always attacking the defense and was physical around the basket. I also saw him hit multiple mid-range jumpers. I am interested to see what his game looks like now. Is he a back-to-the-basket player or more of a 3/4 player? Time will tell. I expect Lent to be physical and to play through contact.
Sanford Sports 2025 Red
Aidan Hamm Aidan Hamm 5'10" | SG Beresford | 2025 State SD (2025) |5’11 G| Beresford
WHY? I have never seen him live but he has looked good on film and I have heard several positive reports on Hamm’s play. Aidan is a sparkplug that plays and competes with NRG/passion. He makes a ton of plays by moving his feet quickly, having active hands, and being aggressive. Aidan also shoots the ball well. I am excited to see this Watchdog play tomorrow and I am predicting that Hamm will be a difference-maker this weekend.
Sanford Sports 2025 White
Nyun Dut Nyun Dut 6'3" | SG O'Gorman | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’1 G| O’Gorman
WHY? He did some nice things at Live with tough D and he proved to be a crafty offensive player. I was impressed with his consistency from deep last weekend as well. Dut has always been a slasher/athletic defender. If he keeps knocking down shots he is going to be tough! I am interested to see how Dut does his damage this weekend at Stomping Grounds.
Aiden Costain Aiden Costain 6'7" | PF Harrisburg | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’5 F| Harrisburg
WHY? He had a great weekend at PH-Live. In the past, Aidan had mostly played the 5 position but is now playing at both the 5 spot and 4 spot when Nick Hanson Nick Hanson 6'6" | PF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD is in the game. Costain is a really good screen defender, probably this SSA team’s best rim protected as well. He pinned several blocks against the backboard last weekend. Aidan does a good job talking. He has a wide frame, if he can come out of his shell a little bit, he could be a force. Costain is a muscular 6’5″ post that is primed for a big weekend.
Sanford Sports UA 2025
Shawn Hammerbeck Shawn Hammerbeck 6'7" | PF Winner | 2025 State SD (2025) |6’7 PF| Winner
WHY? This guy is a beast! Hammerbeck is a sp ECI al athlete that is physical, strong, can get up, and is a force on the hardwood. I am excited to see him go-head-to-head with some of the other BIGs at this event. He will likely be an imposing figure on the court. I am interested to see his moves in the post, if he plays outside of 15′, and how he moves his feet on defense. Expect him to be stout around the rim and to be active on the boards.
Sullivan Ihry Sullivan Ihry 5'11" | CG West Fargo Sheyenne | 2025 State ND (2025) |5’11 G| West Fargo Sheyenne
WHY? I have not seen him play since the high school season and I am interested to see what his role is with the SSA squad. Ihry knows the game well and he is good with the rock. He is known as a talented shooter that can stroke it from deep range and in from 15-feet off the dribble. It will be fun to see him go up against some of his fellow North Dakotans.