17U National Open Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">This article is sponsored by VKTRY Performance Insoles - The Official Insole Provider of Prep Hoops.</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Prep Hoops National Open Championship is going down this weekend and it tips off on Friday night at 6:00 PM.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is looking like it will be a spectacular event and PHD is excited to take it all in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who should you watch in the 17U Division? <strong>We have 16 suggestions</strong></span>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2494272,"width":"328px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_1526-crop-579x381-1721183921.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_1526-crop-579x381-1721183921.jpeg?w=579" alt="" class="wp-image-2494272" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">17U Players To Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263165' first='Aiden' last='Costain'] (2025) |6'7 F| SSA White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a strong power forward who finishes well around the rim. Costain draws a large amount of fouls and gets to the FT-line often. Aiden is also a rebounding machine! He is very good on defense as he can take care of BIGs and move with smaller players. PHD is excited to see Costain ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1219802' first='Andre'' last='Austin'] (2025) |6'3 G| Pack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has separated himself as one of the top PG's in the Dakotas. Austin can also thrive by playing off the ball/on the wing but he is truly at his best when running the show. Dre is an unselfish playmaker and an outstanding slasher. Austin is one of the few PG's who can defend every position on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'] (2026) |6'7 C| [program_tooltip program_id='2413157' first='3ND' last='Hoops Fam']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He played well at the Finals and helped 3ND take home the Consolation Championship. Big Country plays up an age group and battles with the best of them. Bennett plays with high energy and is a full-contact baller. He has a nose for the ball and gets to the line often. Does he score outside of the paint and will 3ND continue their hot play?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2129360' first='Gilman' last='Sheldon'] (2025) |6'3 SF| [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His squad went 4-0 at The Last Dance in IL! Sheldon has impressed me a ton this year and I love his game. Expect Gil to perform well once again. PHD is high on Sheldon, I want to hear/see how his weekend goes in the last event of the summer. Give him an inch and he will take a mile! Gil is a serious player and he deserves a ton of recognition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Andrew (2024) |6'4 F/F| Pack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a jack-of-all-trades on the hardwood and he does it all well. Andrew is a versatile and strong defender. On offense, he can play positions 2-5. Jacob can drill the 3-pointer and he is relentless on the glass.</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>The athletic lefty has had a quality off-season and has put on a show at times. Nelson's best basketball is ahead of him and deserves eyes from the college coaches. He does a bit of everything and will impress you with his scoring above/around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267638' first='Kaiden' last='Helm'] (2025) |6'3 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2413157' first='3ND' last='Hoops Fam']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His squad played well at Hard Work Finals and collected a good amount of wins. 3ND took home the Consolation Championship. Helm is a big guard who can score from all levels and is lethal from 3-point. When he is not scoring, he does the little things to help the squad. Helm will likely be the top player for Minot North this winter, it will be fun to see what sort of numbers he puts up in the WDA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169136' first='Mason' last='Klabo'] (2025) |6'2 G| D1 Minnesota 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His squad won the Hard Work Region Finals and they have to be one of the favorites to win the National Open Championship. Klabo appears to be 100% healthy and he has played like a Rockstar this summer. College coaches have certainly noticed as Mason has picked up an impressive number of offers this off-season. He does it all on the hardwood, has polished skills, and he is an underrated athlete. Expect Klabo to be one of the best guards at the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263161' first='Maverick' last='LeBrun'] (2025) |6'4 G| SSA White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finishes well above the rim and is a college-sized wing at 6'4" and skilled. Mav picked up a college offer after last weekend and we recommend that coaches take a look at the National Open. He gets to the rim with ease and I am excited to see Mav play live. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1746515' first='Oliver' last='Wirth'] (2025) |6'6 PF| [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>You have to like his length and Wirth has added on some quality muscle in the last year. He can finish above the rim, defend multiple positions, and score from all levels. Oliver can bang inside but also space and hit the triple. He is a matchup problem with plenty of potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177143' first='Parker' last='Brodina'] (2025) |6'4 G| [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>He picked up an offer this week from VCSU and has played at a high leve in club balll. PHD watched a game from The Last Dance and Brodina was the best player in the court. He shot the three at a high-clip, passed well, and played tough defense. Parker is versatile and a mismatch nightmare as he can shoot, pass, and post for bully-ball buckets. College coaches will have to take a serious look this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169148' first='Parker' last='Falcon'] (2025) |6'6 G| [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He recently committed to Minot State. The Falcon shot the lights out and was named to 1st Team All-Tournament at the Hard Work Finals. From everything I heard, Parker was also at STUD at The Last Dance in Chicago. Expect him to be one of the top shooters &amp; performers this coming weekend. Falcon is an ALL-STAR!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1931467' first='Payton' last='Schell'] (2025) |6'3 G| [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>Long, slim, and with arms that never end, PHD has dubbed Mr. Schell as "The Eraser". He does not look like the prototypical rim protector but has great timing and feel for blocking shots. Schell rejects/alters/changes shots when guarding his man at the rim but is also exceptional at coming over on helpside to take away good looks. He will also bang home triples and his floater game is impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1342103' first='Ryan' last='Heinert'] (2025) |6'3 G| TEAM Warwick Kvaale 2025 Puma</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a large guard with skill and a potent offensive game. Ryan can do work around the hoop and his shooting game is deadly. I like his ball skills &amp; creativeness. Expect him to exploit mismatches and to put up points. I am interested to see how he looks on defense and how Warwick looks without Goodbary playing this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429981' first='Tagon' last='Woelber'] (2025) |6'1 G| SSA White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arrow from Pipestone is a shifty athlete. Tagon is a defensive menace and he is sure to give people fits at the National Open. This past weekend he showed off his passing with some amazing dimes/assists. He will also impress you with his soft shooting touch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1506292' first='Trevon' last='Beckman'] (2025) |6'2 G| TEAM Warwick Kvaale 2025 Puma</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hope that Warwick has their full squad this weekend, because if they do, they should make some noise and make a nice run in the Championship Bracket. Opposing D will need to account for Beckman because he is an elite shooter from the arc. However, Beckman is much more than just a shooter, he can make a ton a plays off the bounce and he skilled/creative. I excited to see the talented baller from DRSM. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1902939,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PHCircuitLaunch-crop-475x312-1681138030.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1902939" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->