#PHStompingGrounds: Sanford Sports Academy UA 2026 Prospects

Sanford Sports Academy had four 15U teams competing in their own backyard at Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.   We will examine all four teams and breakdown the prospect's physical profile, skills, playing style, and traits that help make them successful on the court.   Let's start with the UA 2026 squad.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sanford Sports Academy UA 2026 </h2>   The team played in pool A and went 2-2 over the weekend. Below are the game results.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_3362.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_3362.jpeg?w=789" alt="" class="wp-image-1953092" /></a></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Prospects</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1949563' first='Sam' last='De Groot'] - 6'3” G/Wing (2026) - Sioux Falls Lincoln - De Groot did himself a lot of favors in terms of raising his stock and getting noticed. A long perimeter prospect that shot the three at an impressive clip. If he had some space he would fire-away from three without hesitation, off the catch. Went at the defense off the bounce as well. Hit a very nice fade going to his right. Can score at all three levels, with a pull-up midrange game. Translates to a 2/wing with some offensive pop. If his feet get quicker and he gains more power from his base, he may will be a very nice well-rounded wing prospect. He rebounded the ball well throughout the event.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dakshoops/status/1654986463212175360?s=46&t=SEhj4b0vN7ZkDxMDlm1_Uw </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard III'] - 5'11” PG/SG (2026) - Lakota Tech - Richard III handled the ball a lot from the point for Sanford,and he looked comfortable doing so. He protected the ball well and was able to relieve pressure with his handle. He showed some quick burst attacking off the dribble. He went at the hoop until he was stopped or wasn't. Got to the hoop often versus ECI 2026 Selects Gold. Translates to a scoring point guard who is comfortable handling the ball for extended periods. He can defend opposing point guards well and has quick/flashy hands to create turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641207' first='Cole' last='Kooiker'] - 5'8” PG/SG (2026) - Harrisburg -Kooiker really surprised and impressed me. He's a lights-out three-point shooter. Has an elite and quick handle on the ball, to go with his pure jumper. He can change speed and gears in a hurry with the ability to storm the ball up quickly when he sees an opportunity.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641567' first='Eddie' last='Whiting'] - 6'4” PF (2026) - Sioux Falls Jefferson - A good athlete with good size at 6'4”. He brings constant energy and will fly around and contest the offense. A versatile defender that can guard the 2-5 positions. Runs the floor hard and consistently, not wanting to let up any easy baskets. On offense, he's very unselfish and will kick-out to shooters at the three-point line. [player_tooltip player_id='1641198' first='Malachi' last='James'] - 6'2” G (2026) - Beresford - James is an intriguing prospect to me, with his athleticism and defensive ability. He was in the rotation for Beresford as a Freshman this season, mainly because of his D. He will deny on a wing and has the elite quickness to chase his matchup and zoom past screens. Crashes the offensive glass and skies up to compete for the ball. If his offensive game makes strides, he could blossom into a very nice college prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_3315-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1683858928.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/IMG_3315-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1683858928.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1953064" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1919285' first='William' last='Eli Kuhl IV'] - 6'6” C (2026) - West Central - Kuhl is the tallest and lengthiest prospect on the team. Doesn't really act as a true back-to-the-basket post. He normally roams around looking for open spots in the defense. Has a solid stroke and midrange jumper if he's given time and space to launch. Doesn't have a bunch of range as a rebounder, but has a surprising straight up and down vertical, where he can high-point the ball in the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641166' first='Brenner' last='Konrad'] - 6'2” PF (2026) - Tea Area -Konrad is a bull! Has the build you want in your interior 4-man. A football player's build and mentality on the court. Plays hard and moves fast, especially on D, where he'll hedge ball-screens aggressively. Runs the floor hard and will go from lane-to-lane in a hurry. A good leaper that can rise up and block shots at the high-point. Came down with a bunch of rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1559131' first='Trimmier' last='Hanson'] - 5'8” PG/SG (2026) - Dell Rapids St. Mary's - Hanson is a smaller guard that plays with speed and quickness. Has a skilled handle on the ball, where he'll try a series of moves to shake the defender. Defensively, he's a guy that can easily contain his matchup with his lateral quickness and positioning. Gets low and seems like a guy that hates to get beat off-the-dribble.   Cooper Rasmussen - 6'0” SG (2026) - Harrisburg - Cooper has quick feet and gets after the opposing ball-handler. Applies heavy pressure, while moving his feet at the same time. He plays in a low defensive stance and will flat-out deny the ball to his matchup on the perimeter. He can disrupt an offense simply by not letting them get the ball moved easily. Cooper will be in the next rankings update.   [player_tooltip player_id='1765548' first='Wesley' last='Walz'] - 6'0” SG (2026) - Spirit Lake (Iowa) - The lefty hails from the state of Iowa. He's a gamer for sure. Scores in a variety of ways, and he'll line up a three and knock it down. Can shoot the three off-the-dribble with expectations it will drop for three points. He loves going strong to his left hand and he's tough to stop if he gets some speed going at the hoop. Had some really difficult finishes at the rim with the defense present. Against ECI 2026 Selects Gold, even in the loss, Walz was tough to handle, finishing near the hoop with his dominant left-hand.

Sanford Sports Academy had four 15U teams competing in their own backyard at Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.