#PHStompingGrounds Ballers I Need To See Again

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a wonderful weekend in Sioux Falls at Prep Hoops Stomping Grounds. The Sanford Pentagon is a marvelous venue and the talent showed up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:200">In this article, we are talking about players who I was impressed with and need to see them play again this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD will give you a few reasons why I want to watch them again &amp; why they are intriguing players</span>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of these players I have watched multiple times in the past and others I watched live for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><strong>Enough chatter, let's look at the ballers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1944058,"width":"318px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/stompinggrounds-crop-1036x680-1683121012.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/stompinggrounds-crop-1036x680-1683121012.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1944058" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ballers I Need To See Again</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] (2026) |6'8 F| Hoop City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Playing up in 17U &amp; looking good, getting serious looks/offers from college programs </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Intriguing length &amp; skill, I like how he never seems to get rattled &amp; lets the game come to him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Expecting a big weekend from Blake at NHR next weekend, he deserves the attention </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355223' first='Braden' last='Bailey'] (2025) |5'7 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2075723' first='ND' last='Attack']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Won the State B Ship this spring &amp; was named MVP of the Tourney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looks quick on film, this was my 1st time seeing him live &amp; Braden did not disappoint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Creator with a good feel, always attacking, pesky &amp; disruptive on defense </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641207' first='Cole' last='Kooiker'] (2026) |5'11 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2145852' first='SD' last='Identity']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shot it at a high clip in Sioux Falls, his stock is on the rise </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had a 4-0 weekend &amp; poured in the 3-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I had heard greats reports on his game &amp; Cole was exceptional </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2076018' first='Connor' last='Mebius'] (2027) |5'8 G| &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2250186' first='Jase' last='Unzen'] (2027) |5'9 G| Hoop City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First time seeing them hoop in-person and they exceted expectations</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Both are playmakers, gamers/clutch, disruptors on D &amp; shot-makers, WINNERS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-They will be at NHR State Tourney next weekend in Minneapolis &amp; I expect them to make noise</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407000' first='Devin' last='Buehler'] (2025) |5'11 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I have always been impressed with him on film, Buehler is the real deal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Skilled, very athletic, good feel for the game, will hit from every level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Works his tail off, hustles, boards up, not afraid to get scrappy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2319897' first='Gus' last='Stout'] (2025) |6'2 SF| [program_tooltip program_id='2131095' first='Black' last='Hills Express']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I had never watched him live, had heard he was tough, Stout is a beast!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Plays bigger than his 6'2" height, great feet/moves around the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He also hit triples &amp; pull-ups, physical &amp; strong, plays hard &amp; with heart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1769085' first='Joel' last='Nelson'] (2025) |6'6 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-State Champs this high school season, his game continues to improve &amp; upgrade</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great length, versatility, athletic ability </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-<em>Grant Nelson's</em> younger brother, intriguing player &amp; the sky is the limit </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1541297' first='Kaiden' last='Peterson'] (2026) |6'3 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Selects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He was scalding hot on Saturday night in the win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Prospects</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Filled it up from 3, I like his length &amp; jump shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Coach <em>Glasser</em> has his squad playing great bball, PHD needs to watch his team as often as possible </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958459' first='Lucas' last='Johnson'] (2025) |6'6 F| JBA Dynasty 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive length, had a nice season with WHS, I like his potential</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strokes it from 3, can also slash, protects the rim, under-the-radar player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Long &amp; slim, I am interested to see if he adds weight/muscle over the summer </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2406805' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] (2025) |6'4 G/F| [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-State Champion this year, playmaker from all levels</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A coaches kid, plays hard &amp; gives 110% effort, gamer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Thrives at exploiting mismathces, will bang down low but also cash three-ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418037' first='Zavion' last='Harildstad'] (2026) |6'3 F| [program_tooltip program_id='2078372' first='ECI' last=''] Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shot it well on Saturday night, did not know he could hit from 3 like that</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good size &amp; build, strong &amp; athletic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his finishing around the hoop, tough/productive on the boards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1944058,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/stompinggrounds-crop-1036x680-1683121012.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/stompinggrounds-crop-1036x680-1683121012.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1944058" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->