Sophomore ID Camp: All-Camp Teams

The Sophomore ID Camp this year was the first time Prep Hoops has had a showcase event specifically for Sophomores. I like it because us scouts are able to see prospects in the same class compete for bragging rights. It was a smaller group compared to the Freshman Showcase, but the Sophs competed at a high level, being one year more developed.   I went back and watched nearly every minute of the action on BallerTV to comfortably come up with three All-Camp teams with six players each, and four honorable mention selections. The selections are based off of how the prospects performed, but also how they project as prospects factors in some.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FIRST TEAM</h2>    Colby showed an improved handle on the ball and seemed more confident in his dribble. His jumper looks more fluid and he was hitting outside shots. We also can't forget to mention that he can jump out of the gym and is a high-flying leaper. Had an impressive one-handed dunk that looked surprisingly easy. Has the tools to potentially be a shutdown defender. He's the #8 ranked South Dakota 2027, and his crazy upside warrants us to move him up.     Gibson has been more dominant at these events in the past, but given the team construction he played a different role. He still showed off his crazy hops and got up for offensive boards for lay-ins. His frame looks a little more solid as well. Tracked down a bunch of defensive rebounds.     Painter was bullying his opponents around with his big frame and aggressive nature. He was pushing the tempo and powering through bodies off the drive. He defends the ball with intensity and size. Powerful and quick lateral defensive steps. He most likely was the leading scorer. Not a guy you want to guard or be guarded by. I think he instills some fear.     Kai was the biggest South Dakota 2027 stock-riser from the event. I had only seen him online a couple of times. I have now him slotted as a top 15 prospect in the South Dakota 2027 class. He has a super-quick handle on the ball, with a powerful crossover that he used to get by his defender. He finished when he got to the rack. Went on a 12-0 run by himself in one of the games, hitting back-to-back threes. Runs the floor and accelerates quickly. A true competitor that brought it.     Skogsberg posed to be a tough matchup for his individual matchups. He's got a big body and good size that he used off the drive, and he's also a huge three-point problem. The lefty is a gunslinger from deep range, and he was also getting deep in the paint off the bounce. He finished off the glass with his dominant left hand quite often. His passing and ability to find teammates with long up-court passes was impressive. Boarded the ball a ton.     Davis absolutely balled-out. He was the most impressive shot-maker and brought defensive intensity. He hit a bunch of tough fades and nailed his open threes. I don't recall him missing many shots. Good movement and could get off the ground to hit difficult jumpers. He was dialed in. It was between Davis, Painter, and Skogsberg for the leading scorer.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SECOND TEAM</h2>    Stratton showed a great size and skill combination. Handled the ball well and was a very fluid mover with the ball in his hands. Broke down his defender with his handle, then had a quick explosive first-step that he could counter with. A good leaper that can hang in the air. Hung in that air on his paint-area shots/floaters. He was taking and making hitting threes as well. Some weren't wide open ones either. On the defensive side, he gave his matchup fits with his athleticism and technique. I thought he was the most well-rounded next-level athlete.     The Iowa product played the point guard position to a tee. Great overall skill-set and understanding and feel for the position. He could easily be a first team selection but some higher rated prospects made the cut. His finishing ability stood out, because he was able to get off the ground well to get near the rim. He could easily blow by his matchup with an elite couple first steps. Quick defensive player and hands and stayed in front of his matchup.     Brooks played with toughness and has a solid and tough-looking frame. He was nearly unstoppable going to his right hand off the bounce. Explosive and strong, and wasn't stopping for nothing. Defensively he was very solid, where he could pressure, make plays on the ball, and played lanes. He picked his spots and was a good defensive decision-maker.     Hiltunen was highly efficient and I really liked the way he played within the game, also while being a shooting and scoring threat. He found holes in the defense for easy buckets. Made the right passes and had great shot selection, making a high percentage of his threes/jumpers and twos. His ranking will improve and I think he turns out to be a good high school contributor.     I hadn't seen Zwart live until now. He's not an elite athlete, but he was a difference-maker and made shots and finishes at the hoop off the drive. He sunk a bunch of mid-range shots. He only improved my thoughts on him.     Boden definitely looks the part as a long 6'3” guard. He will be a 2027 stock-riser. He took a good fall on his ribs that may have limited him. Along with his length standing out, Boden's rebounding performance stood out. He high-pointed the ball. He does play a little too high as a defender and ball-handler.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">THIRD TEAM</h2>    Beau is a consistent performer because he earns his buckets by running the floor and having a solid motor. He's a slasher towards the hoop, finishing through contact off the glass on the right side of the hoop.     Zephier rose his stock from the event. He showed to be a much more skilled prospect than I had in mind for him. I think he comes out to be a top 60 prospect in Thursday's 2027 rankings update, where more of a breakdown will be made for him as a stock-riser.     Slater impressed and also rose his stock. I hadn't seen enough of him prior. But he's a shooting threat and overall a good decision-maker and was really solid. He can shoot the three off the catch as well as with a few dribbles. He hit his threes when he took them. I don't recall him making many negative plays. Didn't over-dribble and moved the ball around wisely.     Wentz looks much longer than his listed 6'1”. He most definitely has a positive wingspan. He could run well up and down and was getting up and blocking shots, tracking down his opponents.     Hanssen is a talented offensive weapon that can handle the ball well and is a big-time three-point shot-maker. He will fire away from three without thinking about it and has a next play mentality. Extremely deep range and will hit NBA range threes. So he needs to be guarded well beyond the line. Skilled passer as well, just lacking in size.     Crew makes his living from the three-point line. He was able to get some shots to fall. Does a good job moving the ball and is a smart and accurate passer. He looks more developed physically.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">HONORABLE MENTION </h2>    Kjerstad was a little quieter than normal, but he was still a threat shooting the three-ball. He opens things up in that way. He wasn't making mistakes and was valuing the basketball. Didn't over-dribble and made the right passes.     Kale missed some shots and opportunities that he normally makes, or he's making second or third team if they fall for him. He still made an impact in other areas. As always, he was a steady and sound defender with defensive IQ. A good ball-handler that pushed pace in a steady manner. He gave the ball up to setup his teammates for buckets. A winning and unselfish type of player that teams need.     Batke is another prospect that missed his shots and through-contact finishes that he normally makes. But he also always brings it defensively. He was able to make an impact on D and picked a few pockets. Ran the floor for some easy buckets.     Lincoln is battle-tested with Sanford's top 15U team. He's seen and competed against some top talent. A solid build and a handle that enables him to continue his dribble and breakdown his defender. His shot wasn't falling in the 5-v-5.

The Sophomore ID Camp this year was the first time Prep Hoops has had a showcase event specifically for Sophomores. I like it because us scouts are able to see prospects in the same class compete for bragging rights. It was a smaller group compared to the Freshman Showcase, but the Sophs competed at a high level, being one year more developed.