Best of West River: 2026’s

We are checking out NINE players from western South Dakota in this article. Players from West River do not get enough attention and that is what we are attempting to do with this piece. These ballers are all skilled, athletic, and they are primed for a breakout sophomore season. PHD has some serious 2026 talent to discuss. Get these guys on your watchlist for the coming season!

Make sure you do not overlook the talent from West River!

Best of West River: 2026’s

Marvin Richard III Marvin Richard III 6'2" | CG Pine Ridge | 2026 State SD |6’0 G| Lakota Tech

He will only be a soph but Marvin is already a veteran guard as he played in the State Tournament as an 8th grader. Richard is beyond skilled and he makes the game look easy. His handles are sharp and he can make all the passes. Marvin has no problem when the defense applies pressure and he creates turnovers on the defensive end. Richards is a 3-level scorer and a green-light shooter. Expect an impressive season from the young guard and for the Tatanka to make another profound postseason push.

Wyatt (Buzzy Gylten Wyatt (Buzzy Gylten 6'3" | CG St. Thomas More | 2026 State SD |6’3 G| St. Thomas More

The Cavaliers will be a tough team once again and we will not be surprised if they make another postseason run. If they do, a large part of that success will come from sophomore Wyatt (Buzzy Gylten Wyatt (Buzzy Gylten 6'3" | CG St. Thomas More | 2026 State SD . With Caleb Hollenbeck graduating, STM will be looking for their new stud and Gylten should be the man. Buzzy has sprouted up a few inches over the summer, is a gifted athlete, a terrific scorer, a great passer, is clever/smart, and is a tough overall baller. Expect a breakout season from the young Mr. Gylten.

Jace Mohr Jace Mohr 5'11" | CG Wall | 2026 State SD |6’0 G| Wall

As a frosh, Mohr put up quality numbers with 11 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, and he shot 75% from the FT-line. The young Eagle has a glorious handle on the ball, has no trouble slashing for buckets, scores with both hands at the rim, and he is a knockdown perimeter shooter. Jace is an opportunistic defender that creates TO’s, scores in transition, is unselfish with the ball, has a sweet floater game, and he shoots it with an easy release. Wall had a youthful squad last season and they won 10 games, look for the Eagles to be improved and for Mohr to put up impressive numbers.

Lincoln Juracek Lincoln Juracek 5'11" | CG Gregory | 2026 State SD |5’11 G| Gregory

He has spent a significant amount of time in the gym this summer working on his game. Juracek came on late last season as a freshman and really shot the ball effectively. Lincoln thrives shooting from beyond the arc. His playmaking ability continues to grow. Juracek is a tough defender for his age and that will only improve. Look for Lincoln to have an important role for the Gorillas this season.

Donnie Ghost Dog Donnie Ghost Dog 5'9" | CG Crazy Horse | 2026 State SD |5’9 G| Crazy Horse

The Chiefs won 17 games last season and they lost to eventual State Champions De Smet in the SoDak 16 game. Look for Crazy Horse to build off that successful season and for them to be even better this year. The Chiefs had a very good offseason, PHD has an optimistic feeling about Crazy Horse heading into the school year. Donnie Ghost Dog Donnie Ghost Dog 5'9" | CG Crazy Horse | 2026 State SD will be one of the major players for the Chiefs. As a frosh, Hoof averaged 10 ppg, 4 apg, and 2.1 spg. Donnie has dramatically improved this summer. He has upgraded his interior finishing, speed, footwork, and craftiness. His jumper was consistent and accurate all summer long. Donnie is becoming a complete guard as he showed last year that he is talented at breaking down defenders off the dribble. Be on the lookout for Donnie and the Chiefs!

Levi Elk Nation Levi Elk Nation 5'8" | CG Cheyenne-Eagle Butte | 2026 State SD |5’8 G| Cheyenne-Eagle Butte

Look for the Braves to have an improved season in 2023-24. Levi averaged 4.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, and he took 20 CHARGES as a freshman! 20 charges in a season from a senior is awesome, 20 for a frosh is monumental! Levi is obviously not afraid to give up his body. He plays hard 100% of the time! Levi is a high NRG and selfless player. Big things are ahead!

Damien Clown Damien Clown 5'9" | CG Cheyenne-Eagle Butte | 2026 State SD |5’9 G| Cheyenne-Eagle Butte

We expect the Braves from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte to be an improved team and Damien will have a big hand in that. Clown averaged 5.8 ppg and 1.5 rpg. Damien is a major three-point shooting threat. As a frosh, he led the team in triples made! Clown is a gifted multi-sport athlete, he is a star on the rise as a cross-country runner.

Christian Pulliam Christian Pulliam 6'1" | CG Pine Ridge | 2026 State SD |6’1 G| Pine Ridge

The Thorpes had a great season in 2022-23, they picked up 18 wins and went to the SoDak 16. Expect the Thorpes to carry that momentum into this season. Pine Ridge should have their sites set on State. Christian got his feet wet on varsity last season, expect Christian’s role to increase in a big way. Pulliam is known as a SNIPER, an athlete, a slasher, and a bucket producer. He has seen a ton of improvement in the past 9 months. The Thorpes and Pulliam will be the real deal!

Brady Virtue Brady Virtue 6'1" | CG Custer | 2026 State SD |6’1 G| Custer

The Wildcats are going to be a scary team this year. PHD sees them as darkhorse in class A. Brady Virtue Brady Virtue 6'1" | CG Custer | 2026 State SD will not be the biggest star on the Custer team but he will be a vital piece of the puzzle as a glue guy. Kyle Virtue Kyle Virtue 6'5" | PF Custer | 2025 State SD , is Brady’s older brother, and he will be the engine that carries the Wildcats. Custer has a nice cast of guards and shooters as well. Brady is an unselfish teammate, a hard worker, and a talented shooter. The young Virtue will work his tail off for the Wildcats and will do whatever it is that coach Kelly needs from him.