Session 1 PH Expo: ’26 Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are only <strong>2 days</strong> away from the Dakotas Top 250 Expo, Session 1 tips off Saturday afternoon!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What:</strong> Prep Hoops Dakotas Top 250 Expo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Where:</strong>&nbsp;Avera Sports Center – Sioux Falls, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Date: </strong>October 7th </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time:</strong> 2:00-7:00 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we are looking at Saturday's Watchlist for 2026 ballers from <strong>North Dakota</strong> and <strong>South Dakota</strong>. Below we are commenting about 9 players and why we want to watch them at the Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">Keep your eyes peeled, PHD will publish many articles once the Expo has concluded. We plan on writing about everyone, all players will get some ink. It is going to be a fun weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1317685,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1317685" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">North Dakota</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1510889"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He had a Rockstar grassroots season and was named All-Dakota First Team. Cranston will have a good chance to be the starting PG for Dickinson this season. I am interested if Cranston has the skill and athleticism to be an All-WDA player this year. Boston is known as a tough, smart, and timely player. He is unselfish and creative. I want to see how his shot looks from the outside, if he can slash to the rim, and how he holds up on the defensive end. Cranston is high on my watchlist since he is from way out west and I will likely not get the chance to see him live in the school season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1510892"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e I have never seen him hoop live but I have heard great things about Blikre from his club and high school coaches. Brayden was a standout last year for the Sentinels and he was a dude this summer for [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack']. I have been told that Brayden can really fill it up. I am interested to see where he gets his points from at the Expo. I want to see how athletic Blikre is and how sharp his ball skills are. It sounds like Brayden is a player to watch from the new Minot North basketball program.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1327797"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e It is always a treat to watch Easy Money play ball. Will he be the best shooter in the gym on Saturday and does he hit the most triples? Carter is a sniper with deep range and a short memory. His shot is effortless and he can hit off the dribble and catch. I want to see if Evanson attacks off the bounce, can score at the cup, and draw fouls. If Carter wants to turn himself into a true scorer instead of just a shooter, I think he needs to score more at the rim and also get some freebies at the charity stripe. How is he on defense and does he look much taller? I have heard reports that Easy Money has grown! Look for Evanson to be a top talent on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1332143"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e The Vikings have a powerful and talented program, I always like to see who they have coming up the ranks. Iverson is known as a savvy scorer who moves well without the ball. He is a creative finisher at the rack and he knows how to produce against bigger defenders. Gabe is a capable perimeter shooter. He is also a high IQ baller. I am interested in his athleticism and how he handles himself on defense.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1632619"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003eu003cemu003e u003c/emu003eI watched him multiple times this summer and I am interested to see if he will impress me again. Rice has intriguing height, long arms, and he plays with a bounce in his step. He is an above the rim-finisher and a proficient shooter from beyond the arc. Rice has a nose for the ball and he creates many TO's. I witnessed Reggie shoot the rock hot in June at the Warwick Elite Camp in the same gym that he will be playing in on Saturday. Will he do it again? He will be a matchup problem for guards and forwards could struggle keeping him front or chasing him around the arc. I want to see his defense in the paint and if he can board up against the BIG boys.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651f0ec6d7444"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Dakota</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1972178"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e The big reason is, I have never seen him play live and I will only see him play online this winter. First impressions mean a lot and I have a feeling Virtue will look impressive. I have received reports about Virtue being a tough defender and a talented face-up offensive player. Brady shoots it well and he can get to the rim for scores. Virtue is smart and he has a knack for getting into advantageous positioning in a timely matter. He is a high percentage shooter, a solid player, and a high character young baller. Let's see if he stands out on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1466940"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e Who wouldn't want to watch the #1 Ranked 2026 Prospect in South Dakota? He also recently won our Poll for Player of the Year in class AA. Smith received a whopping 1,248 votes for POY! It sounds like Colton will be leaving the State next this spring/summer when it comes to grassroots basketball. We have to watch this young baller in-person as much as possible. He is a physical beast that can do it all on the hardwood. I want to see how quick his feet are, how explosive of a jumper he is, and the capabilities of his jump shot. Smith should certainly be a DUDE on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1911439"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e I have not had a chance to watch Relf yet but I have been told that he shoots it well and he saw improvement this past offseason. Relf shines from beyond the 3point arc. He keeps defender off-blance by changing speeds quickly. Connor gets buckets from all 3-levels. I am interested to see if Relf brings the ball up the court or if he is primarily a shooting guard. How is he as an on-ball defender? Is he an athlete or more of a spot-up shooter? Time well tell, tune in Saturday to find out!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1949563"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underlineu0022u003eu003cemu003eWHY?u003c/emu003eu003c/spanu003e He looked fantastic this past spring and summer. De Groot was recently a Stock Riser in the Rankings Update, he is now the #4 Ranked Prospect in SD. Will he play like it at the Expo? Sam is a big and rangy guard/wing that can shoot the lights out. I was very impressed with his shot at the Pentagon this spring. He also has deep range which helps spread out the defense. You have to respect him well beyond the high school arc. De Groot can also put the rock on the floor and slash for shots. I want to see him go against older defenders and see if he can still produce. I am curious to see if De Groot will get varsity burn this winter for the Patriots. Saturday could be proving grounds for Sam if he wants to show that he is ready for serious varsity action.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651f0ec6d75be"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":1069897,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/10/top250.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/10/top250.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1069897" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->