SD 17U Film Review & Evals

As Prep Hoops Dakotas prepares for another rankings update, in addition to what we've seen live, we are fully diving into the 17U film from the offseason as we get closer to the 2025-2026 updates. There's a lot of prospects that we need to update our audience on and how they performed this offseason. Below is the South Dakota rankings update schedule.   South Dakota Rankings Updates Schedule:   2025 - August 22nd   2026 - August 29th   2027 - September 5th   2028 - September 12th    Blake has been featured on the site, and rightfully so as the #1 ranked 2026 prospect in South Dakota. He played up a division with the 17U's for [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota']. He's already racking up offers and now holds two in-state Division I offers. Coaches are obviously enamored with his length and shooting ability as a 6'8” wing. Being such a highly recruited prospect, I think Ellwein still plays a team-first play style and makes the “right “ play and is a good offensive decision-maker. A great connector on the perimeter, as well as a playmaker as a passer. Sees the floor extremely well and can see the whole court at his height. If there's a knock on his game, it's that he plays a little too high and isn't bendy. But that's nitpicking at this point. Not easy to find negatives to his game. A high-level strength and conditioning program could make him very scary.     Noll hasn't been mentioned on the site enough, and he was on Sanford's top 17U team this offseason. It could be said that he was the team's best on-ball and off-ball defender. He wasn't a major offensive weapon, but I thought he was highly valued with how the team wanted to defend. He has a strong and athletic frame at 5'11”-6'0”. One of the best athletes in terms of overall movement in all directions in the state. He'll most likely be a football commitment.     Kieffer was with Sanford's top 17U team this offseason. He started as a 2-guard for them with the top point guard in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1297809' first='Markus' last='Talley'], as the primary ball-handler. He was a little tougher to evaluate this offseason because of the level of competition he faced on the UA Rise Circuit and because he wasn't the main ball-handler. On a stacked Sanford team, I thought he played his role nicely and didn't let anything bother him to where he was going to force any unnecessary action. He timely picked his spots to attack and be a creator at the hoop and as a shooter. I thought he was a solid defender that played soundly on the ball with good space and quick feet. He didn't boost his stock, and I think he can translate to an NAIA/D3 scoring point guard. He holds an offer from St. John's University Johnnies in Minnesota.     Continuing on with Sanford's UA Rise team, Brooks who holds D2 basketball offer, has recently committed to D1 football program, South Dakota State University. He gets knocked by some for not being assertive and playing a finesse offensive game, but he's also ranked highly because he showed he can defend in a versatile manner against some top competition in the county. A highlight reel shot-blocker that can get up extremely high with long arms at 6'8”-6'9”. More importantly, he stays in front and it seemed like he created a ton of dead ball situations, leaving the offensive opponent with no where to go.     Johnson is a nice-looking, long wing at 6'6”. A finesse guy that can shoot it in the mid-range and from three. I think he rose his stock with JBA Dynasty as the second go-to guy on a team led by dynamic point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1503882' first='Thomas' last='Hoffman']. His handle looks pretty solid, as he can get to the rack from the three-point line off the bounce. Not an explosive or quick-twitch athlete, but he doesn't move poorly either. With his length, he moves well enough to stay in front on the wing. I believe he could be around the 20-25 range in the 2025 class with his 6'6” length, skills, and shooting ability from three. Could have a really nice Senior season for Sioux Falls Washington, playing alongside Hoffman in high school ball as well. In my mind, he's a perfect fit for an NAIA/JUCO team in the region.     Colton was with Hoop City's 17U team as a 2026 prospect. Mentioned multiple times that he's sort of a positionless prospect, Smith is highly versatile in terms of a combination of power and athleticism. He plays against taller opponents in the paint often, but he's so strong, physical, and can jump that he's successful defending there. Offensively, he can catch it from a post up position and becomes a great passer or he can power or gain separation on his way to the hoop for buckets. He runs well in transition and crashes the boards, where he's one of the top offensive rebounders in the state. An elite cutter without the ball and earns a ton of scores at the hoop just simply staying active and moving. He comes in at #2 in the South Dakota 2026 class despite not having ideal positional size. His motor, physicality, and athleticism is just too hard to ignore.     The South Dakota State football commit shows toughness on the basketball court as well. I think his stock is up some in the 2025 class because he showed with [program_tooltip program_id='2250291' first='Hoop' last='City South Dakota'] that he can bang in the paint against good competition in the Midwest. He's got a strong build to him at 6'5” and moves well on the court to where he can defend multiple positions. Plays extremely hard and lays it all out there on the court. In his Senior season with Sioux Falls Lincoln, he'll finally get a meaningful varsity role, and be one of the most physical Bigs in AA ball.     Sprik was with Sanford's 17U White team. They were short-handed at Summer Classic and he was relegated to some point guard duties. I think he fairs much better at the 2-guard spot where he can catch-and-shoot from three. He's a floor-stretcher that opens up the half-court for teammates, and he always stays shot-ready with a quick release. A D3/NAIA school may find value in him with his three-point ability. I just don't think he translates to a point guard.     I'm unsure of the specifics of Smith's injury and his recovery, but he's wearing a sleeve on his knee. He's also with Sanford's 17U White team and seems to be coming along with every tournament. He's an all-around athlete, excelling in football and track as well. I did see he had collected NAIA football offers. On the basketball court, his 6'4” length is useful on the defensive side, especially protecting and challenging opponents at the rim. A key piece to Lennox's squad that wasn't at full strength in terms of health last season. I wouldn't say he improved his stock, but he didn't damage it either. A steady player with vertical ability and length from the wing.     I'm in the process of watching more Sacred Hoops ball. My evaluation on Bearshield during the high school season with Gregory is that he's one of the most underrated prospects and deserves more recognition. He's one of the more talented offensive scorers and shot-makers in the state. He scored 13.3 ppg. according to MaxPreps. He played point for Sacred Hoops and showed off a smooth and controlled handle, with a certain poise, court vision, and playmaking passing that not many prospects possess.     Meyer is one of the few true Bigs in the 2025 class. At 6'7”, he's a back-to-the-basket, traditional post. He's a grinding Big that uses strength and power with a non-flashy workmanlike play style. After he sets a ball screen, he's rolling to the hoop and becomes physical if he doesn't get the pass. Not a quick-footed Big, but is engaged and has a constant motor. Big and physical and plays a power game. Competes for rebounds off the rim.

As Prep Hoops Dakotas prepares for another rankings update, in addition to what we've seen live, we are fully diving into the 17U film from the offseason as we get closer to the 2025-2026 updates. There's a lot of prospects that we need to update our audience on and how they performed this offseason. Below is the South Dakota rankings update schedule.