Who’s Next Combine: Court 2 Observations & Notes
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Prep Hoops Dakotas is doing something a little different here. We have a thorough breakdown of the 5-v-5 action on Court 2 from the Sanford Sports Academy Who’s Next Combine. It’s different in that it’s somewhat of a play-by-play analysis…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Dakotas is doing something a little different here. We have a thorough breakdown of the 5-v-5 action on Court 2 from the Sanford Sports Academy Who’s Next Combine. It’s different in that it’s somewhat of a play-by-play analysis of key plays and other notes and observations from Court 2. Let the fun begin.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD really pushing the tempo and bringing the ball up at a quick pace.
Brooks Jett
Brooks
Jett
6'4" | SF
Aberdeen Christian | 2027
State
SD
three off the catch – he’s now listed at 6’4” – his stock is trending up.
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
gets a defensive stop on
Sam De Groot
Sam
De Groot
6'6" | SG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
with a solid contest on a fadeaway J in the lane.
Carson Nickles
Carson
Nickles
6'1" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2026
State
SD
getting into the lane with his handle and finding
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
for a three.
Kellen Artz
Kellen
Artz
6'9" | PF
Baltic | 2026
State
SD
and
Will Kuhl
Will
Kuhl
6'9" | PF
West Central | 2026
State
SD
matching up. Both look really long. Looks like Kuhl grew some, he came in with a 6’9” listing. His ranking will need to be adjusted for the positive. Extremely long in a 2026 class lacking height. He’s looking mobile too.
Britton Mulder
Britton
Mulder
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2025
State
SD
with a very quick pocket-pass to Kuhl for two off the pick-and-roll. Kuhl finishes easy with his left hand before Artz could get there.
Kellen Artz
Kellen
Artz
6'9" | PF
Baltic | 2026
State
SD
hits a free-throw line jumper with no contest or defense present in the area. His jump shot will need to be adjusted mechanically or he’ll need many repetitions with his current mechanics. Has a hitch to his shot.
Artz affects a shot for a miss at the rim with his 6’9” length.
Boden Stevenson
Boden
Stevenson
6'3" | SG
Hamlin | 2027
State
SD
with a steal, occupying the passing lane. More-so a careless pass than play on the ball. He’s 6’3” and a nice-looking athlete.
Grifin Wiebenga
Grifin
Wiebenga
6'4" | SF
Tea Area | 2027
State
SD
shows some burst in the open court to finish at the rim past the defense. Like seeing him going downhill, because he’s got good body control and is a good finisher.
Brooks Jett
Brooks
Jett
6'4" | SF
Aberdeen Christian | 2027
State
SD
with a nice series with a steal, defensive stop and rebound the next defensive possession. Brings ball up and finds a floor runner and three-point threat,
Carson Nickles
Carson
Nickles
6'1" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2026
State
SD
for a one-dribble rhythm three. Count it.
Sam De Groot
Sam
De Groot
6'6" | SG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
starts cold from the field, but stays aggressive. He’s legitimately 6’6” and a top 2-3 prospect in the 2026 class.
Ben Erickson
Ben
Erickson
6'1" | SG
Baltic | 2026
State
SD
hits a tough/interesting one-handed fading floater over high defensive hands.
Carson Nickles
Carson
Nickles
6'1" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2026
State
SD
bringing the ball up. Passes to a wing, fake DHO, relocates for a catch and shoot three make. Didn’t think about and just shot. Got to like that. The D was too slow to react.
Connor Mebius
Connor
Mebius
5'8" | PG
West Central | 2027
State
SD
gets past his defender into the lane, finds
Crayton Jibben
Crayton
Jibben
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
with a jump pass for a make corner three. You see Mebius have to jump to pass to get over defender’s hands to execute some passes.
Devin Enander with a straight-line drive from the three-point line to get past his defender. Finishes with his right hand on the left side of the hoop, contorting his release to avoid the recovering defender. Enander was one of few of the prospects I hadn’t seen. He’s a 5’10 2027 guard from Hitchcock-Tulare and James Valley Thunder .
Another
Carson Nickles
Carson
Nickles
6'1" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2026
State
SD
three. When he’s open, it’s money. He’s getting shots and looks that are hard to come by on the NXTPRO Circuit. Showing a good handle and ability to distribute from the point. Had him as strictly a SG, but I think he can play the point in a pinch at the next level. He’s better served off the ball, but can facilitate and handle the ball as well.
Sam De Groot
Sam
De Groot
6'6" | SG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
gets on track with an offensive rebound put-back, then a catch-and-shoot three on the move left wide open. Five points in a matter of 10-15 seconds.
The defense seems to be losing their matchups often because there’s some open rhythm shots for knockdown shooters.
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
make three off of a savvy pin-down screen by
Grifin Wiebenga
Grifin
Wiebenga
6'4" | SF
Tea Area | 2027
State
SD
. Defense not working hard enough to fight through and contest the shot. Could be gassed some.
Connor Mebius
Connor
Mebius
5'8" | PG
West Central | 2027
State
SD
with a DHO from Kuhl, then Kuhl sets a ball-screen, pops to the three-point line, gets the ball, drives hard to his left, all the way to the hoop for an easy lay-in at the rim. The D had no chance of getting up with Kuhl to contest. Kuhl looking good, and have to like his ability to go off the dribble from the perimeter. Mebius also deserves credit for running the action to perfection.
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
with a three from a simple down screen. One pass three — buckets. Larson needs to be guarded tighter. The screen was average and easy to beat.
Will Kuhl
Will
Kuhl
6'9" | PF
West Central | 2026
State
SD
offensive rebound over opponent. Tracked the ball from a distance. Performs a no-look underhand pass to Mebius in the heart of the lane for a close-range floater. The West Central teammates showing great chemistry.
Kuhl finds Mebius again cutting to the hoop for a glass layup finish. Great off-ball movement and court awareness by Mebius.
Brooks Jett
Brooks
Jett
6'4" | SF
Aberdeen Christian | 2027
State
SD
gets a DHO into a fake straight-line drive, mini step-back three — cash. Jett’s offensive game and confidence seem to be improving. The defense is lacking, but he’s still putting the ball in the hoop. Easily a top 20-30 prospect in the 2027 class.
Britton Mulder
Britton
Mulder
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2025
State
SD
handling the point. Gets a Kuhl ball-screen, probes, keeps it, and spins for an opposite side finish. Really nice individual offensive play. Kohl’s ball screens are being effective.
Mulder hits an easy three with the defense sagging. A one dribble rhythm shot. His off the dribble is being respected.
De Groot comes off his man with an authoritative block at the rim.
Another new name to me gets in the scoring column with a drive through traffic and a finish off the glass. That name is Lucas Peskey Lucas Peskey 5'10" | CG Iroquois-Lake Preston | 2027 State SD , 5’11 2027 guard of Iroquois and the Dakota Niners .
De Groot gets a steal off of a deflection of a bad pass — kicks it up to a running Mulder for an easy finish for two. Mulder is healthy and moving smoothly.
Nickles with an impressive three, where he’s trailing behind the ball a little. Catch-and-shoot deep three from the top. The defense was there — didn’t matter with the no hesitation three. I think he’s impressing the NAIA coaches at this point.
Mulder gets a ball-screen from the point, then goes behind his back to blow past the drop-man. Mulder didn’t slow down one bit to perform the dribble move. Easy finish at the hoop. Made the defense look bad and unreactive.
Kellen Artz
Kellen
Artz
6'9" | PF
Baltic | 2026
State
SD
DHO turn and rolls to the hoop, misses an easy one with D there. Peskey gets the O-board then drops it off with a bounce pass to the taller Artz for the finish at the rim.
*NEW TEAM ON THE COURT*
Deondre Painter Deondre Painter 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027 State SD wastes no time, scoring off the drive on the first possession. He spins to his non-dominant shoulder to create the separation at the hoop. Quick, big, and resilient guard. Nasty combo. I think he’s top 5 in the 2027 class.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD keeps the ball and attacks a back-peddling defender and blows past to finish off the glass. Used his momentum and quickness well.
Deondre Painter
Deondre
Painter
6'2" | PG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027
State
SD
ball-screen into a pull-up J from left to right for two. Defense got hit by the
Aiden Costain
Aiden
Costain
6'7" | PF
Harrisburg | 2025
State
SD
screen.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD gets into the middle of the lane for a kick to the corner three. Misses but a wide open shot created by Clark.
Aiden Costain
Aiden
Costain
6'7" | PF
Harrisburg | 2025
State
SD
mid-post catch, spins off the defender on his back, gathers himself for a left- handed finish off the glass. A good and simple go-to move. Costain’s role with Harrisburg this year will be quite different. High school roles are undetermined, but I’d imagine he’s the starting Big with Phipps gone.
Nickles shows some straight-line speed off the bounce to finish and go by traffic in the lane. Lefty finish off the glass.
Painter with a no pass pull-up three make from the top. He’s feeling it and playing his confident game.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD screams the ball up-court and blows past a settled half-court defense to finish on the opposite side of the hoop off the glass. He’s being very impactful with his drive and kick and his drive and finish.
Grifin Wiebenga
Grifin
Wiebenga
6'4" | SF
Tea Area | 2027
State
SD
with a nice series of plays. Gets up for a board, keeps it on the dribble and finds a wide open three-point shooter. It misses, other team boards it, Wiebenga steals the first outlet pass then scores it himself at the rim.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD steal off of a lob pass to the post, pushes the pace as usual, rifles a pass to a cutting Nickles, who then makes an impressive pass look way too easy. Peskey scores a wide open layup and gets rewarded for running the floor. Clark and Nickles showing multiple forms of playmaking.
Teegan Musser
Teegan
Musser
6'5" | SF
Lennox | 2026
State
SD
uses his length to outstretch his arms and quickly get the ball up off the glass before Artz can get to it. Two points for Musser. His offensive game is advancing at a good pace, and he’s getting taller.
Jaxson Weeldreyer Jaxson Weeldreyer 6'2" | SG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD with a quick and strong take at the hoop from the wing/corner. He attacks contact and gets separation for a good look. Pushes it a little too strong off the board. He’s now 6’2” and looks bigger. He will be battling for playing time for O’ Gorman at the two-guard.
Aiden Costain
Aiden
Costain
6'7" | PF
Harrisburg | 2025
State
SD
gets a pass in the middle of the lane, takes one dribble and goes up for swish finish from a few feet away over long defense.
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
pops a corner three after a mishandled ball comes his way. Larson shooting the three very well. More makes than misses.
Wiebenga boards and goes coast to coast for a contact finish. Like the way he’s attacking arms. Hasn’t touched the ball a ton at this point, but good things are happening when he does.
Painter is back on the court and immediately makes something happen with a board-and-go to find an open Iowa prospect, Porter Vogel, who swishes it from the wing.
Mason Clark Mason Clark 5'11" | PG O'Gorman | 2026 State SD gets way deep into the lane, kicks it out for a Nickles corner three knockdown.
Braylon Little
Braylon
Little
6'1" | CG
Mahpiya Luta(Red Cloud) | 2026
State
SD
nearly does the same thing, but doesn’t get as deep in the lane. Corner three for Nickles…again. That’s back-to-back treys.
Braylon Little
Braylon
Little
6'1" | CG
Mahpiya Luta(Red Cloud) | 2026
State
SD
hasn’t done a bunch of scoring, but he’s made an impact. Rebounding, handling the ball, passing, pushing with pace. I think his stock is up some.
Jesse Zephier
Jesse
Zephier
5'10" | PG
Wagner | 2027
State
SD
brings it up from the point and explodes and accelerates with his left hand, then avoids help with long arms, to finish on the right side.
Wiebenga O-board put-back for two. He’s being efficient.
Musser with a catch and shoot three from the corner off of a bullet of a pass from Painter. Painter accounting for a high percentage of his team’s scoring.
Musser gets up ridiculously high for a one-handed rebound. No one else had a shot at the ball, with Musser’s 6’5” length and jumping ability.
Wiebenga gets a clean swipe on the ball and the ball-handler loses it, Wiebenga gets the pass and easily finishes around contact again.
Clark pushes the tempo quickly full-court again, hits an open Weeldreyer for a knockdown wing three.
Weeldreyer scores the next possession with a long offensive rebound, then attacks the middle of the lane to finish with a high shot off the glass that goes down.
Painter receives a ball screen going to his right, pauses and reads the help, retreat dribble for a slight fadeaway make.
Tiegen Nyhaug
Tiegen
Nyhaug
6'3" | SG
Beresford | 2026
State
SD
joins the scoring with a pump-fake three, then easily gets to the hoop after the defense sold out on the shot fake.
Costain gets 3/4 fronted, catches a lob over the top from Painter, then scores over a late backside helper. Painter again responsible for a score. Costain has only missed one field goal.
Zephier makes a wing three off of a Painter attack down the middle and kick.
Stellen Larson
Stellen
Larson
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
catch-and-shoot three make from a Clark two dribble attack and kick.
Costain makes another strong play. Drives middle from the perimeter and powers through a smaller defender to finish with his left on the left side.
Nickles runs the floor hard and efficiently, catches a line drive pass from Clark for an easy finish on the right. Defense fell asleep.
Costsain offensive put-back over 6’3” defender.
*NEW TEAM ON THE COURT*
Britton Mulder
Britton
Mulder
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2025
State
SD
with a filthy cross to separate and score at the hoop.
Rexton Blue Rexton Blue 5'11" | SG Iroquois/Lake Preston | 2026 SD , 5’11” 2026 guard of Iroquois and Dakota Niners hits a fadeaway two off the window.
Britton Mulder
Britton
Mulder
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Christian | 2025
State
SD
scores again off the drive. The defense is poor, but he’s showing a legit handle, change of pace, change of direction.
Devin Enander pushes the ball up furiously and finds an open
Sam De Groot
Sam
De Groot
6'6" | SG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
for an uncontested layup.
Mulder with a left-handed pass to an open Enander stationed at the hoop.
Carson Hoogeveen Carson Hoogeveen 5'10" | PG West Lyon | 2025 State IA , 5’10” 2025 G of West Lyon (IA) and Siouxland Sports Academy hits a triple. That’s two threes for him and another attack and finish. He’s getting things going.
Sam Ericsson
Sam
Ericsson
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
DHO to
Trevon Beckman
Trevon
Beckman
6'1" | CG
Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2025
State
SD
, Beckman gets it right back to Ericsson for an open make three.
Mulder ball screen and roll with Kuhl. Mulder makes an easy and nice bounce pass to lead Kuhl for an easy two. Not getting pressured defensively, but Mulder making some nice passes. More of a playmaking passer than we’ve seen from him.
Trevon Beckman
Trevon
Beckman
6'1" | CG
Dell Rapids St. Mary | 2025
State
SD
drives hard to his left, gets stopped, then steps back into a knockdown three.
Brody Schafer
Brody
Schafer
5'11" | PG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027
State
SD
is a tad bigger than I thought. He’s up to 5’11” by the listing. His first score is a rebound then zig and zag through some traffic to finish off if two feet at the rim with his left hand.
Mebius probes in the lane until help moves over, then finds De Groot for a wing make three.
Another three from the same spot for Carson Hoogeveen Carson Hoogeveen 5'10" | PG West Lyon | 2025 State IA . He’s really showing he can shoot the rock.
Beckman with a sick series of ball-handling to open up a leaning shot off the window.
Absolutely no one around him at the three-point line,
Crayton Jibben
Crayton
Jibben
6'3" | SG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
cashes a three. Defensive breakdown.
Mebius with an inside-out dribble into a pull-up three. Count it.
Boden Stevenson
Boden
Stevenson
6'3" | SG
Hamlin | 2027
State
SD
gets a DHO on the wing, then nails a step back three in the corner. One of the more impressive makes.
Hoogeveen with another three from the other wing. He’s on fire.
Jibben with a straight line jab, then explodes baseline to finish acrobatically on the opposite side. Highly impressive move.
Sam Ericsson
Sam
Ericsson
6'2" | CG
Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2026
State
SD
deep range three from the right wing on a catch and shoot. Ericsson has been handling the point for his team.
*NEW TEAM ON THE COURT*
Deondre Painter Deondre Painter 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027 State SD take and make wing three.
Painter assist to Porter Vogel who hits the corner three.
Malachi James
Malachi
James
6'2" | SG
Beresford | 2026
State
SD
O-board put-back
Deondre Painter Deondre Painter 6'2" | PG Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2027 State SD deep pull-up three—swish
Tucker Miller
Tucker
Miller
6'7" | PF
Faith | 2026
State
SD
drives from the top of the three and finishes high off the glass.
Malachi James
Malachi
James
6'2" | SG
Beresford | 2026
State
SD
attack and spin for a finish. He’s also hitting the offensive boards hard with multiple of them early.
Teigen Nyhaug with a long pass on the money to a streaking
Teegan Musser
Teegan
Musser
6'5" | SF
Lennox | 2026
State
SD
for a layup.
Aiden Hanssen
Aiden
Hanssen
5'10" | PG
Lennox | 2027
State
SD
steps into a between the legs rhythm three knockdown.
Hanssen defensive rebound, goes straight down the middle of the court to finish a layup.
Cole Kooiker
Cole
Kooiker
5'11" | PG
Harrisburg | 2026
State
SD
inbounds steal. Attacks off the dribble from the three-point line and strongly finishes off two feet with a body all over him. Strong play.
Nyhaug catch and shoot three make. Fairly deep shot.
Kooiker pops a wing three with defense there and contesting.
Patrick Maynard
Patrick
Maynard
6'3" | SF
Hitchcock-Tulare | 2027
SD
catches baseline and finishes nicely on the opposite side. He’s rebounding well, also.
On the move crossover into a floater for
Aiden Hanssen
Aiden
Hanssen
5'10" | PG
Lennox | 2027
State
SD
. Quick handle on the ball.
Nyhaug swings the ball to Musser in the corner for a wide open make three. An easy pass, but Nyhaug sees the floor well and makes great decision as a passer. A long two-guard at 6’3”-6’4”.
Aiden Hanssen
Aiden
Hanssen
5'10" | PG
Lennox | 2027
State
SD
attack and kick for a
Chase Peterson
Chase
Peterson
6'1" | SG
Brandon Valley | 2027
SD
made corner three.
Kooiker baseline drive kick-out for a
Kyler Carlson
Kyler
Carlson
5'10" | CG
Estelline-Hendricks | 2026
State
SD
made three.
Musser high-points an offensive rebound then scores with contact.
Kooiker gets into the heart of the lane and turns and kicks to
Kyler Carlson
Kyler
Carlson
5'10" | CG
Estelline-Hendricks | 2026
State
SD
, who pops another three.