South Dakota 2027 Ballers

Spencer Christenson

August 31, 2023 @ 10:42 PM

As Prep Hoops Dakotas dives into the 2027 class for the upcoming rankings debut, we wanted to give our audience some insight into how the class shapes up.   The South Dakota 2027 class seems pretty deep, is my initial thought about the class. D2's and high-end NAIA's should be excited about this class. There's a ton of recruitable prospects in the class.   There's still a lot to learn about the class, but here's some guys I've seen enough to elaborate on and project.   [player_tooltip player_id='2137320' first='Deondre' last='Painter'] | 6'2 | PG | 2027 | Sioux Falls Lincoln | [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] UA |   Painter has all the measurables of a high-end, sought after prospect. 6'2 with a solid and sturdy frame. He's a very big guard for an upcoming Freshman. Played and started for [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] 14U and ran the point. He plays hard and uses his big frame to his advantage on both ends. He harasses the ball-handler like a feisty 5'6 point guard. His foot speed needs to improve, but he's able to still apply heavy on-ball ball pressure. As a ball-handler he also bullies and storms through any defender that tries to get in his space. If he improves his consistency and stroke as a shooter, it will affect how he ends up being recruited. He can hit shots, there's no doubt, but has some shots that get away from him. Painter plans on rolling with [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] next offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen'] | 6'4 | F | 2027 | Lennox | [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] | Mikkelsen is a long and lanky athletic 4-man that could develop into a different position. He's got slashing ability and runs the floor quickly and consistently. At 6'4, he has potential to grow taller or flatline and become a lengthy wing. With these young prospects, the main determinant is how they grow the next couple years. I think Mikkelsen pans out to be one of tops in the class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2128940' first='Brant' last='Wassenaar'] | 6'1 | SG | 2027 | Sioux Falls Christian | [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] |   Brant is an interesting study. He's a baller for sure, but one that is in search of a true position. He can handle the ball and create, no problem, but it doesn't seem like his natural position. If he becomes considered a high-end guy, I'd like for him to hit at least 6'3 and play the two. He's a consistent performer, creator, and shot-maker. Has range and a prolific middle-game, where he's money if left with time and space.   [player_tooltip player_id='2132827' first='Tyler' last='Bruske'] | 6'2 | G | 2027 | Sioux Falls Jefferson | [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy'] | Tyler might be a guy that's undersold at the moment. He's a bull of a competitor, with size to compliment that play style. He can defend size and speed, and can attack the rim and power through contact. A kid with a varsity-ready frame.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_5035-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_5035-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2131448" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2128939' first='Colby' last='Nuttbrock'] | 6'3 | G/Wing | 2027 | Sioux Falls Jefferson | Hoop City SD | Nuttbrock seems like a prospect that will continually be raising his stock throughout his high school career. After watching him some more online, he seems to have more offensive game that I had realized from the Dakotas Freshman Showcase. A long frame at 6'3 and a prospect with a bunch of upside.

As Prep Hoops Dakotas dives into the 2027 class for the upcoming rankings debut, we wanted to give our audience some insight into how the class shapes up.