2025’s Watchlist #PHBATL
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Battle At The Lakes tips off tonight!! This event is one of the biggest and best events that Prep Hoops puts on and PHD could not be more excited! Who are some players to keep eyes on? PHD has a…
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Continue ReadingBattle At The Lakes tips off tonight!!
This event is one of the biggest and best events that Prep Hoops puts on and PHD could not be more excited!
Who are some players to keep eyes on? PHD has a big list of players to watch!
In this article, PHD has fifteen 2025 Players on the Watchlist. We will give you a couple reasons to watch them and ask one question about each baller.
2025’s
Ali Shahid Ali Shahid 6'2" | CG Fargo South | 2025 State ND |6’2 G| Beyond the Game 2025
WHY?
His game has grown/expanded/improved by a large margin in the past year. Shahid is a southpaw and he has above-average athleticism. He is a creator off the dribble and is a capable three-point shooter. Ali plays the game hard and is a team player. I could see him being a breakout player in the EDC next season. It will be fun to see how he performs at #PHBATL.
Will he be directing the offense and how does he shoot it?
Dawson Getz Dawson Getz 6'3" | SF Pierre | 2025 State SD |6’3 SF| Sacred Hoops 2025 Edman
WHY?
He can score from anywhere on the court, Getz is a major threat from the three-point arc. Dawson is athletic enough to get to the rim for buckets and/or create his own shot. Getz will also set up others for clean looks. He is a knockdown shooter when left open.
How is he on defense, does Getz deter slashers?
Eric DeBoer Eric DeBoer 6'5" | SG Fargo North | 2025 State ND |6’5 G| ECI ’25 Selects
WHY?
He is a high-percentage shooter from three-point land and his range goes way deep. DeBoer can get his shot off against smaller defenders and he helps spread the floor when he draws a bigger matchup. He does not often get sped up and he never seems to hurry a shot. He likes to shoot the 3-ball but I have also seen him get buckets around the rim.
Is he settling for 3’s, does he exploit mismatches and take guys inside?
Joel Nelson Joel Nelson 6'6" | SF Devils Lake | 2025 State ND |6’6 F| ECI ’25 Prospects
WHY?
He is a long and athletic lefty who keeps improving. Joel has come a long way in the past year. Nelson was outstanding at the Comets Shootout early this spring. Nelson scores with both hands around the hoop, finishes impressively above the rim, and spreads the floor with cash-money triples. He is a difficult matchup with his size, mobility, and inside-out scoring.
Playing in Pool A, will he stand out or blend in against the top talent?
Kaiden Helm Kaiden Helm 6'3" | SG Minot North | 2025 State ND |6’3 G| 3ND Hoops Fam
WHY?
Helm was impressive at TC Takedown and scored in the mid to high 20’s when I watched. Kaiden is a serious shooter from the outside, a smart/active cutter, and a creative scorer inside the paint. He has no trouble hitting shots when he has a hand in his face and he plays at his own pace. Kaiden strikes me as a clutch player and you want him taking big shots in close games. Expect another high-quality weekend from Mr. Helm.
How is he on defense, can he stay with the quick guards on the perimeter?
Karson Ouse Karson Ouse 6'8" | SF Kindred | 2025 State #283 Nation ND |6’8 F| ND Phenom 2025
WHY?
When you first see him, you will be impressed with his length, watch him play and you will be impressed with his skill. Ouse is getting serious attention from college scouts and is playing in a tough Pool. He will see stiff competition and it will be a great measuring stick. This club season, Karson is averaging 10.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, and shooting 47.5 FG% & an impressive 39.3 3FG%.
Does he play with a killer instinct and take games over?
Kyler Droog Kyler Droog 6'7" | PF Grafton | 2025 State ND |6’7 PF| Red River Valley Elites
WHY?
Had a great school season, and has looked tough in the club season. Kyler has been clutch this spring for RRV Elites. Droog is producing inside and out and he is always up for a challenge. He works his tail off and he plays the game the right way. Kyler is a dude on the block, a horse on the boards, and I am impressed with his passing.
Does Droog perform like one of the best BIGs at the event?
Luke Bruns Luke Bruns 6'2" | SG Dakota Valley | 2025 State SD |6’2 G| SD Identity 2025
His older brothers are both Division 1 players and Luke’s game continues to upgrade. It will be interesting to see what kind of attention he gets from college scouts this summer. Bruns had a great high school season and was named as an All-State Player. He is a scoring machine from all 3-levels. Opposing teams will not want to leave Luke open, when they do, they will pay the price.
Identity will be low on numbers, can Bruns make for it and explode in the scoring column?
Markus Talley Markus Talley 6'2" | PG Mitchell | 2025 State SD |6’2 G| Sanford Sports Academy UA Rise
WHY?
He is a dynamic point guard who has the ability to create for himself and make those around him better. When SSA is at its best, Talley has been a steadying presence vs. pressure. He has shined as a downhill playmaker. Markus is also a superb shooter.
How is his right hand, does Talley score with both hands around the basket?
Mason Klabo Mason Klabo 6'2" | PG Fargo Davies | 2025 State #240 Nation ND |6’2 G| D1 MN 2025 3SSB
WHY?
He is the #1 ranked Prospect in the 2025 Class from North Dakota. Klabo holds multiple Division 1 offers. He is as skilled as they come and is a bright ball player. Klabo & D1 plays Sanford tonight and ECI tomorrow, it will be fun to see him compete against players from the Dakotas.
Nick Hanson Nick Hanson 6'8" | PF Viborg-Hurley | 2025 State SD |6’8 PF| Sanford Sports Academy White
WHY?
He is a rebounding machine and is great in the pick-n-roll game. Hanson does outstanding work when altering shots with his length and he does it without drawing fouls. Nick is a monster inside and his length is eye-catching. College coaches better get eyes on this BIG, Nick is the real deal and I expect him to perform like a stud.
Does he stay inside & dominate or does he step outside & shoot the 3, is he an elite PF at the event?
Paxton Neppl Paxton Neppl 6'3" | SF Benson County | 2025 ND |6’3 G| ND Attack 2025
WHY?
I have never seen him play, I am excited to watch Neppl as I have heard positive reports about him. Last tournament he was hot shooting the rock from deep. Paxton plays the game hard and smart.
Will he stay hot and fill it up from 3-point land?
Ron McKay Ron McKay 6'4" | SF Four Winds-Minnewaukan | 2025 State ND |6’4 SF| 701 Flight 2025
WHY?
He gained valuable varsity experience this season and should be playing with confidence this spring. McKay is a skilled player who sees the floor well and is crafty inside the arc.
How does his shot look from the perimeter, is he cashing in from beyond the arc?
Ross Fischer Ross Fischer 6'0" | SG Bismarck | 2025 State ND |6’0 G| ND Phenom 2025-2
WHY?
Coach Wilhlem always tells me about how talented of a shooter Ross is. That was certainly on display at TC Takedown. I watched two games last tournament and it seemed like every time I looked at the court, Fischer was drilling a triple. This Demon can shoot it and I expect that to continue this weekend at #PHBATL.
His squad was undefeated last tourney, will Fischer a ND Phenom stay red hot?
Sam Baskin Sam Baskin 6'2" | SG Sioux Falls Washington | 2025 State SD |6’2 G| CYAL Rebels 17U Elite
WHY?
A strong and mobile athlete who makes positive plays via the slash. He can hit from the outside, I watched him drill multiple triples in a game this winter. Expect him to match up with the opposing team’s top backcourt player. Baskin is a great defender on the perimeter.
Will Sam be a consistent threat from the perimeter and control the tempo?