ND ’26 Ranks: Ballers I Need To See
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PHD updated the North Dakota Prospect Rankings for the 2026 Class at the start of the week. Today, we are looking at ballers that I want to watch before the end of the season. I have either watched them once…
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Continue ReadingPHD updated the North Dakota Prospect Rankings for the 2026 Class at the start of the week.
Today, we are looking at ballers that I want to watch before the end of the season. I have either watched them once and want to see more, have heard positive reports & I am intrigued, or I have watched them in the past & interested in how they have improved.
See below, PHD will give you two reasons to watch the ballers and ask two questions.
Ballers I Need To See
Sage Hanson Sage Hanson 6'8" | SF TGU | 2026 State ND |6’7 F| TGU
WHY?
-Several people have given positive reports on Sage, he moves well, is a legit 6’7″, and is good around the basket on both ends
-17.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.7 bpg, .8 apg, improved aggression to the rim, increased total body strength, upgraded athletic ability, and still a major shooting threat from 3-point land
QUESTIONS
Will he continue his high-level of play and be named an All-State player at the end of the season?
How will he look this spring on the PH Circuit, is he done growing, and when will he get his first offer?
Garrett Nissley Garrett Nissley 6'3" | CG Bismarck Century | 2026 State ND |6’3 G| Bismarck Century
WHY?
-Had a good AAU season w/ ECI , will be running with Sanford UA this coming spring/summer
-Averaging 7.5 ppg for 13-2 Patriots, started the last game vs. Mandan, shooting the 3-ball hot (26 3FGM at 39 3FG%), sees the court well (2.3 apg), coaches trust him on the defensive end, playing with confidence
QUESTIONS
Is Nissley done growing, does he make others better, and will he get a chance to Start at State as a soph?
How will the youngster perform in the postseason/WDA Tourney?
Braylen Schirado Braylen Schirado 6'0" | CG Beulah | 2026 State ND |6’0 G| Beulah
WHY?
-One of the best shooters in ND, #5 ranked team in A, 16.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.5 apg, great chance at making State
-Had an impressive AAU season with ND Phenom , is playing great this HS season, shooting a balmy 50 FG%, 52 2FG%, 47 3FG%, 81.1 FT%
QUESTIONS
I want to see him make State, how will Braylen compete/defend against the elite athletes?
I am intrigued by his IQ, in-game reactions/instincts, and ball skills, will that show out in the playoffs?
Parker Jacobson Parker Jacobson 6'2" | CG Washburn | 2026 State ND |6’2 G| Washburn
WHY?
-Elite shooter, one of the best from beyond the 3-point arc in North Dakota history
-18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 49 3FGM, 57 3FG%, I have heard reports of Jacobson improving his slashing & scoring off the bounce, he can now make the D pay for overplaying or closing out too hard, read & reacts to the defense
QUESTIONS
Will he make over 100 three-pointers this year and will his 3FG% stay above 50?
Can he and the Cards get hot at the right time and make a deep run in the ultra-tough Region 3?
Raeshaun Earl Raeshaun Earl 5'11" | SG Hankinson | 2026 State ND |5’10 G| Hankinson
WHY?
-Stud athlete who leads the 12-2 Pirates who are currently ranked #8 in B
-He is stuffing the stat sheet and scoring in the mid-to-high 20’s every night, knocking down 3’s consistently
QUESTIONS
Will he lead Hankinson to the promised lands AKA the State B Tournament?
Will Earl the Pearl perform well on the big stage, is he ready to do that as a soph, and who will he play AAU hoops with?
Marial Deng Marial Deng 6'4" | SF Four Winds/Minnewaukan | 2026 State ND |6’4 SF| Four Winds/Minnewaukan
WHY?
-He is healthy, looked impressive when I watched, and multiple people/coaches have bragged him up
-Intriguing length & athleticism, role player for #3 ranked 12-3 Indians
QUESTIONS
-His jump shot has looked good, is he a consistent shooter from 3-point land?
-Will Deng keep growing and will 4Winds make a trip to the first-ever 3-Class State A Tournament?
Mason Palmer Mason Palmer 5'11" | PG Devils Lake | 2026 State ND |5’11 G| Devils Lake
WHY?
-I have heard many positive reports on Mr. Palmer, he is a future stud, is currently 2nd or 3rd player off the bench for DL
-Scored 66 total points in the Ramsey County Tournament and 26 in the Championship game vs. North Star
QUESTIONS
In crunch time, does he look to score, distribute, or take what the D gives him, does Brodina trust him in big moments?
A strong player, a great shooter, is Mason the PG of the future for the Firebirds?
Hunter Hagler Hunter Hagler 6'3" | SF North Star | 2026 State ND |6’3 SF| North Star
WHY?
-He will be an important role player for the Bearcats if they want to make a run at State
-Good size/length and a gifted athlete with serious upside
QUESTIONS
Is he fully healthy and is Hunter playing with confidence?
The Bearcats have been banged up all season, are they fully healthy now and is Hunter a consistent perimeter shooter?
Cameron Cordero Cameron Cordero 5'8" | CG Lisbon | 2026 State ND |5’8 G| Lisbon
WHY?
-He impressed me this summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit with his hustle, high NRG, and was a better shooter than I realized
-Playing well this high school season, scoring the rock impressively, multiple coaches have said great things on his behalf
QUESTIONS
How is his defense against elite guards with size?
Is Cam playing well enough to be All-Region 1? I think he will be in the discussion.
Artie Carlow Artie Carlow 6'0" | SG Bismarck | 2026 State ND |6’0 G| Bismarck
WHY?
-Grown a good amount & lengthened out, still needs to add muscle, but was just added to Bismarck’s varsity roster this past Friday
-Having an excellent year, shooting it lights out, and has done wonders with the rock
QUESTIONS
Demons have a deep bench, play a ton of players, will Artie be in the Demon’s top 15, will he get legit varsity burn?
Can he defend against bigger, stronger, and older players? He certainly is skilled enough to play at the varsity level.