ND Baller Interviews
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The high school season is wrapped up and the AAU/grassroots season will start soon. We have a small window of time before live-action starts again. With that said, PHD is bringing back the Baller Interviews! Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) caught…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is wrapped up and the AAU/grassroots season will start soon. We have a small window of time before live-action starts again. With that said, PHD is bringing back the Baller Interviews!
Prep Hoops Dakotas (PHD) caught up with Beckett Pfau Beckett Pfau 6'0" | SG West Fargo | 2026 State ND , Carter Evanson Carter Evanson 6'2" | SG Horace | 2026 State ND , and Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND . These dudes are talented and they have a bright future. We shot 10 questions at them and they gave us some interesting and compelling answers!
Keep in mind, that next Saturday (March 30th), Prep Hoops is hosting a Spring Exposure Event in Fargo, for more info & registration CLICK HERE.
Look below for the 3 Baller Interviews…
Q&A with Beckett Pfau Beckett Pfau 6'0" | SG West Fargo | 2026 State ND
8.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, .5 spg, 42.9 FG%, 39.8 3FG%, 45 3FGM, 79.5 FT%
PHD: Can you recap the school season for us?
“We started the season slow and had a couple of injuries, but as the season progressed we found our roles and started to play together, and with great leadership from our seniors we ended up making it to State. We lost in the first round but it was a great overall experience and I will never forget this team.“
PHD: What was your role this season?
“Bring the ball up, create shots for my teammates, and play high energy full-court defense.“
PHD: Could you share memory from the season with us?
“My favorite memory from this season was beating a great team in Grand Forks Central to go to State and having the student section rush the court.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?
“What I want to improve on this off-season is my strength and speed.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“Jerry Sem because of his quickness and athleticism.“
PHD: Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?
“This off-season, I will be running track and competing in the 400M, hurdles, and high jump.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expanding your game?
“In order to expand my game, I will continue to work on my shot and finishing strong around the basket.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“I have Arizona winning the NCAA Tournament because Caleb Love is a dawg!“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?
“My plans for this spring and summer is playing AAU for the top
ECI
Team.“
PHD: What is one of your best off-the-court memories from the season?
“My favorite memory off the court this year was watching the Super Bowl at
Tony Leal
Tony
Leal
6’5″ | PF
West Fargo | 2024
ND
‘s house.“
Q&A with Carter Evanson Carter Evanson 6'2" | SG Horace | 2026 State ND
17.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.5 apg, 44.6 FG%, 37.1 3FG%, 69 3FGM, 76.1 FT%
All-EDC
PHD: Can you recap the school season?
“We started off a little sluggish trying to figure out what our roles were within our team and lost games with some large margins. As the season went on we kept the games closer and really improved. We should have had a few more wins than our record showed.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?
“To do whatever I can for our team.“
PHD: What is your best hoops memory from the season?
“Beating Red River in the Play-In Game and advancing to our first ever EDC Tournament. We wanted to keep going, esp
ECI
ally for the seniors.“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?
“I want to improve on my mid-range game and get stronger.“
PHD: Who was the best player you competed against this season?
“It would be
Mason Klabo
Mason
Klabo
6’2″ | PG
Fargo Davies | 2025
State
#240
Nation
ND
and
Tommy Ahneman
Tommy
Ahneman
6’10” | PF
West Fargo Sheyenne | 2025
State
#315
Nation
ND
, those two are tough players to compete against, both have a bright future, and both are good kids off the court. The two best defenders in my opinion would have to be
Noah Olson
Noah
Olson
6’2″ | SG
West Fargo Sheyenne | 2024
State
ND
and
Nick Hasbargen
Nick
Hasbargen
6’1″ | SF
Fargo Davies | 2024
State
ND
.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the school season?
“Spending time with the team, getting close with the seniors on their last ride. We didn’t have seniors last year, it’s tough seeing them go.“
PHD; Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?
“We are going to Arizona next week for a family vacation. I am excited to spend time with family at the lake this summer and hang out with friends.“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?
“I plan on living in the weight room and repetition. Get many shots up everyday, lift weights, work on plyos, and speed.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?
“UNC, Coach Nate Symons is always right, and UNC is tough!“
PHD: What are your summer plans for the spring & summer?
“I am playing with
ND Phenom
for AAU, teams camps, and Horace basketball workout all summer.“
Q&A with Walker Braaten Walker Braaten 6'4" | CG Westhope/Newburg | 2025 State #278 Nation ND
26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 spg, 52 FG%, 64 2FG%, 39 3FG%, 74 FT%
All-District, All-Region, All-State Tournament Team, 1st All-State
PHD: Can you recap the season for us?“First of all, we ended the season 26-2 with our only 2 losses coming from Bishop Ryan. We lost the District Championship to Bishop Ryan. Then went into Regional’s and beat Bishop Ryan to go to State. We won all the games at State and became the 2024 STATE CLASS B CHAMPIONS.“
PHD: What role did you play on your high school team?“My role was to score, to help put the team in the best situation to win games. On defense, I was the guy who guarded the other team’s best player most of the time.“
PHD: What is your best memory hoops memory from the season?“My best memory is definitely winning the State Championship for the first time in Westhope-Newburg co-op history!“
PHD: What do you want to improve on this off-season?“I plan to improve on my overall skill set. Along with my ability to attack the rim and finish at a high level.“
PHD: Who was the best player your competed against this season?“The Duffield twins ( Bohden Duffield Bohden Duffield 6’1″ | SG Bowman County | 2024 State ND & Bishop Duffield Bishop Duffield 6’2″ | SG Bowman County | 2024 State ND ) and Dane Hagler Dane Hagler 6’4″ | SG North Star | 2024 ND . They are very good athletes and great basketball players. It was very fun to play against them. Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6’7″ | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State #313 Nation ND as well, he is as tough as they come.“
PHD: What is your best off-the-court memory from the season?“My best off-the-court-memory was probably staying at the hotel at State with my teammates. We all had a great time and will have those memories forever.“
PHD: Do you have any fun off-season plans outside of basketball?“I will continue to play sports. I play baseball and golf in the spring. Baseball and AAU in the summer. Next fall, I will be playing football!“
PHD: What type of work will you put in to expand your game?“I will continue to play as much as I can. I will try and add a few new moves. I will continue to be in the weight room.“
PHD: Who do you have winning the NCAA Tourney?“Houston in one bracket and UConn in another. I picked them both because I feel they have the highest chance of winning it all. Also, I really like both of the teams this year. Even though I am a Duke fan.“
PHD: What are your basketball plans for the spring & summer?“I plan to play AAU for ND Phenom .“