South Dakota 2027 Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's still a lot to learn about the class, but here's some guys I've seen enough to elaborate on and project.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[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 |</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2054983' first='Drake' last='Mikkelsen'] | 6'4 | F | 2027 | Lennox | [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] |</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2128940' first='Brant' last='Wassenaar']&nbsp;| 6'1 | SG | 2027 | Sioux Falls Christian | [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='Team' last='Warwick'] | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[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'] | </strong>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2131448,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2128939' first='Colby' last='Nuttbrock'] | 6'3 | G/Wing | 2027 | Sioux Falls Jefferson | Hoop City SD |</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->