SD '26: Ballers I Need To See This Summer

June is always a hectic time with high school camps/tourneys/games, family vacations, football, baseball, and many other activities. Summer always cruises by, football practices will start in the blink of an eye & school will be back in session before we know it!   With that said, I looked at the South Dakota 2026 Rankings and made a list of TWELVE players I want to watch before summer ends. There are many more players I plan on watching, but for the sake of the article, we capped it at 12.   I have watched many of these ballers in the high school season, live this spring, and/or have viewed their film. We will give you what we like about their game and why we want to see them hoop this summer.   Ballers I Need To See This Summer   [player_tooltip player_id='1384718' first='Marvin' last='Richard'] |6'0 G| Pine Ridge   MR3 had great success this school year! Marvin and the Thorpes won 22 games and went to the State A Tournament. Marvin averaged 23.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, and was named First Team All-State! Richard is a gym rat who is always working on his craft. I like his size, strength, skill, feel for the game, and natural basketball instincts. Marvin can make all the passes, beat the defense with a multitude of moves, and score the rock from every level. MR3 is also a ball-hawk and agitator on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641566' first='Jhace' last='Woods'] |6'3 SF| Sioux Falls Washington   If you have not watched Jhace play live, you are missing out! Woods is one of the elite athletes in all of South Dakota. He elevates so well, he can literally hit his head on the rim! Jhace has a mind-boggling 37-inch standing verticle. Jhace had a nice season with the Warriors and showed that he is very efficient around the basket, a bouncy DUNKER, and a lockdown defender. 10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 10.8 ppg, and 62.1 FG% are some impressive numbers for a 10th grader in Class AA. Woods has looked tough this spring in club basketball and his game will only keep improving. Besides being a freak athlete, Jhace is a hustler, an unselfish passer, and an excellent teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1929459' first='Trey' last='Hansen'] |6'3 G| Vermillion   If you want to talk about a breakout player from the high school season, Hanson is near the top of the list! Trey was Honorable Mention All-State in a loaded Class A, helped the Tanagers win 16 games, and made the State A Tournament. Hanson put up incredible numbers with 17.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 3.6 apg. However, his most impressive numbers came from the charity stripe. Trey shot 164 FT's, made 130, and shot 79.3 FT%. This kid is a SCORER. Many stud players this past season did not even get to the FT-line 100 times and Trey made 130! I admire and appreciate basketball players who know how to get to the line that often. The wild thing is, Trey did put up those numbers as a sophomore, just think what he will do these next two seasons...   [player_tooltip player_id='1545637' first='Jackson' last='Wadsworth'] |6'2 G| Hamlin   The more I watch this kid, the more and more I like his game! Jackson has been remarkably impressive this spring with Hoop City. He does not always put up huge scoring numbers but I love his toughness, grit, selfless play, shutdown defense, all-out hustle, resiliency, and sniper abilities from beyond the arc. Wadsworth will also make plays off the bounce and score around the hoop. He truly is a jack-of-all-trades. In the high school season, Jackson helped the Chargers win 23 games and the State A Championship. Hamlin could very well repeat this coming season. Jackson shot a thrilling 51.3% from beyond the arc! At 6'2", smart, skilled, and a 2-way player, college coaches need to give this baller some serious attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641568' first='Wyatt' last='Gylten'] |6'2 G| St. Thomas More   Buzzy had a knee injury in the school season but will be back and ready to roll very soon. PHD is expecting Gylten to be better than ever and playing with fire. He has also added 2 inches of height. Buzzy is a high-quality athlete, now he is a long/lanky/big guard! Gylten is an intelligent baller who knows the game well and you will not find a tougher kid. He can make the finesse play but will also do the dirty work. Buzzy is a talented shot-maker and an absolute playmaker. Expect him to be a DUDE this coming season for the Cavs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545638' first='Cooper' last='Goodbary'] |6'3 G| Sioux Falls Christian   He was a key part of the 25-win (2nd place at State) Charger season. Copper is skilled & talented on the hardwood. He executes well and is a winner. I would not be surprised if he keeps growing, Goodbary is an intriguing prospect! Cooper is a long lefty with a lethal shooting stroke. He stretches the defense and is an accurate in-rhythm shooter. Opposing players struggle to defend the young Charger because of his length, shooting, and ability to score off the bounce. Cooper is a bright baller who continues to improve, the future looks bright for Mr. Goodbary.   [player_tooltip player_id='1467167' first='Carson' last='Nickles'] |6'1 G| Sioux Falls Christian   I am a big fan of Carson's game. Nickles is a smooth & proficient, lefty shooter from beyond the arc. He fills it up from deep, is smart, reads & reacts to the defense, and executes the gameplan/set. As a SFC Charger & Warwick player, he knows how to win games! SF Christian will be one of the elite teams in Class A once again and Carson will be a key player. In club basketball, Carson has looked outstanding. He is shooting it at an impressive rate, playing solid defense, and showing off his skills. Nickles is the real deal.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641198' first='Malachi' last='James'] |6'2 G| Beresford   Chi is fast, athletic, and a special athlete. James is a hard worker and he has an impressive work ethic. In the school season, Chi averaged 11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 43.2 FG%, and proved he is a determined/boisterous defender. He brings energy and effort to the floor 110% of the time. Chi dives for loose balls and gets his hands on many passes when playing D. He rebounds well against guys much bigger than him. Everyone I talk to says that James is a great kid, a fantastic teammate, and has an awesome attitude. His skills could be sharpened a bit but I admire his mobility, defense, effort, and all the little things he does on the hardwood.   [player_tooltip player_id='1972178' first='Brady' last='Virtue'] |6'2 G| Custer   He impressed me this past October when I watched him play live for the first time. Brady plays club basketball with [program_tooltip program_id='2145852' first='SD' last='Identity'] and he is improving with every tournament. We expect Brady to be a breakout player this winter for the Wildcats. Virtue is a nice athlete with a playmaking first step and finishes well at the rim. Brady gets the job done on both ends. He works his tail off chasing down loose balls and on the boards. I like Virtue's size, agility, slashing, and scoring around the bucket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1641211' first='Jaden' last='Haley-Cordova'] |6'1 G| Sioux Falls Lincoln   He is smooth with the rock in his hands. I am always impressed with Jaden's handles/skills/passing. He makes the game look easy but it also a quick & fast athlete. Jaden has a good feel for the game and hoops with a high IQ. I like his pace & tempo, Jaden is fun to watch in transition. He looks to have serious potential as an on-ball defender and disrupter. Jaden can also put up points from all three-level, he is a versatile scorer. PHD is looking forward to watching Jaden and South Dakota Elite at the Prep Hoops Finals in early July.   [player_tooltip player_id='1959432' first='Tobin' last='Squires'] |6'6 C| Sioux Valley   PHD really respects the Cossack program and coach Bill Vincent. It comes as no surprise that Tobin keeps getting better & better, his game continues to upgrade/elevate. We expect Squires to develop into a Double-Double type of player at the varsity level as he gains in-game varsity experience. It may take him a little time to get used to the speed and physicality but I think he will be an impact player this winter. Tobin is tough/gritty, mobile, smart, catches well, and is efficient around the hoop. BIG things are coming for Mr. Squires.   [player_tooltip player_id='1911438' first='Mason' last='Clark'] |5'11 G| O'Gorman   This PG and floor leader can impact the game with or without scoring. Clark got his feet wet on varsity this past season and we are expecting a breakout upcoming year. Mason has figured out how to use his physical strength to his advantage on both ends of the floor, he has impressive muscle for his age/size. Clark is a remarkable individual defender and has developed his jump shot to complement his ability to drive/pass for profit in the paint. PHD likes his Mason's game because no one outworks him and he is becoming a leader on both ends of the floor.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>

June is always a hectic time with high school camps/tourneys/games, family vacations, football, baseball, and many other activities. Summer always cruises by, football practices will start in the blink of an eye & school will be back in session before we know it!