19 Early Standouts #PHExpoSD

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"11px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:11px"><strong><em>USE CODE “herrick30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Expo went down today (10/13/24) at the palatial Impact Sports Center in Sioux Falls, SD. It was an excellent day of basketball with a boatload of talented ballers on display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">The event started with 3on3 games and then moved into the 5on5 portion of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"200","fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:200">This article focuses on the eye-catchers and standouts from the 3on3 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 3on3 portion, four games were going on at the same time. I attempted to watch two games at once. Obviously, I missed possessions and plenty of top talent from the other courts. However, I still caught a ton of impressive play. See below for thoughts, observations, and notes from the early part of the Expo, we have notes on <strong>19</strong> ballers who caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2621667,"width":"322px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_6a20a4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_6a20a4.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2621667" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2302277,"width":"322px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2302277" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>Early Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2431369' first='Abel' last='Alemayehu'] (2025) 6'8 Sioux Falls Roosevelt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the best surprises of the event</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A large southpaw</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tall, BIG, moves surprisingly well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Lanky yet strong, scored at the rim a ton during 3on3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Productive rebounder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished with both hands around the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great coordination for his size, grabbed a rebound in the air, and made the pass before he hit the ground</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Attacked the paint, jump stopped, multiple pivots, got the D out of position, scored easily at the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drove to the block, head-fake, another easy bucket, strong finish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Inside-out pass, good awareness, passed out of the post</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his baseline drop-step</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Took in many offensive rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2475727' first='Aksel' last='Ehlers'] (2025) 6'4 Lyman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First time seeing him play &amp; it was a quality first showing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my eye with a smooth turnaround jumper from 15-feet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No trouble getting his shot off with his length &amp; skill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Baseline catch, rip, blow-by, bouncy score at the cup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Beat the D with a killer crossover that led to an electric finish at the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Deep penetration, jump stop, tricky head-fake, easy score after he fooled the D </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2080607' first='Ashton' last='Paulsen'] (2026) 6'0 St. Thomas More</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my eye with hustle O-boards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sharp cut-n-score, he went into ghost-mode &amp; his defender lost him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Missed an outside shot, hustled after it &amp; secured the ball, attacked &amp; finished at the rack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2495300' first='Beau' last='Wichterman'] (2025) 6'3 Lead-Deadwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He came all the way from Deadwood, now that is a trip!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nice length</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a quality middy pull-up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shoots to with a soft touch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had little trouble rising up over the defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641266' first='Ben' last='Erickson'] (2026) 6'0 Baltic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked tough slashing &amp; scoring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Racked up many assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Attacks the D looking to create/set up others</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Intrigued with his mid-range jump shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437487' first='Bryce' last='Fraser'] (2026) 5'7 Sioux Falls Roosevelt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First play I saw was a fallaway J from 18-feet, nothing but the bottom of the net, left-handed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Next was a laser pass to a cutting teammate, delivered the dime into a tight window</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Handles the rock well, crafty baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sweet cut-n-score to the block</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2250240' first='Colby' last='Nuttbrock'] (2026) 6'4 Sioux Falls Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Did not see him a ton in 3on3 but he made a few nice plays</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His outside shot looked good when splashing a triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cut hard, caught, scored over the front of the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-You could not tell that all the other players were grade or 2 older than him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641207' first='Cole' last='Kooiker'] (2026) 5'11 Harrisburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hit the deep deep 3 many times</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cash from NBA range</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Major shooting threat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I did not see anyone make more 3's in the 3on3 than Kooiker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has an effective jab-step to help create space</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a nice pull-up game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-When the D overplayed, he slashed &amp; scored at the basket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dirk Brink (2026) 6'4 Sheldon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First made plays as a 3-shooter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Easy-looking shot with good balance</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slim build with long arms</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Battled for rebounds, brought it multiple on the offensive end</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Several O-board stickbacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hustler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good vision &amp; passing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2288281' first='Isaiah' last='Brewer'] (2026) 5'11 Douglas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Quick &amp; skilled lefty PG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The first time I seen him score was when he was posting up on the block</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished with a nifty scoop shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He can also knock down the triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Skilled player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656544' first='Kellen' last='Artz'] (2026) 6'8 Baltic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shared the ball from the block, love a post that is not a black hole</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Changed opponent's shots because of his long arms</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Boarded up, I like how he high-pointed the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Scored with a soft 1-handed J from 7-feet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Proved he can space the floor, sank a three-pointer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2238341' first='Kyler' last='Carlson'] (2026) 5'11 Estelline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Attacked off the bounce, jumped stopped in the paint, pivoted to create space, finished off two feet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Love that fact that he plays off two feet in the paint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looks to be a smart &amp; crafty baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mercer Chapman (2026) 6'5 Sioux Falls Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Long, slim, athletic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His arms never seem to end</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Finished well around the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looks to be a mismatch problem with his height &amp; mobility</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed he can shoot it with a jumper just inside the arc, hand-in-face problem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1441395' first='Nyun' last='Dut'] (2025) 6'4 O'Gorman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A long &amp; rangy athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Dynamic slasher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Found his way to the rim &amp; produced points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed off a sick middy J</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Put the D in jail with multiple double-moves</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Gifted athleticism</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No problem rising above the defense for shots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He can his shot off anytime that he pleases </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cut off attackers by effectively moving his feet on defense </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641210' first='Parker' last='Graff'] (2026) 6'0 Wessington Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looks like he lengthened out, also looked faster &amp; more athletic </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked like a lefty cold-blooded sniper with deep range right way</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive shot-fake, slash, and inside-hand finish at the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He gets to the rim in a hurry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had another nice score with a baseline runner/floater, such a soft shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641478' first='Stellen' last='Larson'] '26 6'3 Harrisburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The muscle man caught my eye with a soft-touch lob pass to a teammate near the hoop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked good cutting &amp; scoring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He was good about spacing the floor &amp; reacting to the defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Spotted up, found a window for the pass, caught &amp; cashed the triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247647' first='Tate' last='Sorensen'] (2026) 6'2 Freeman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong lefty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drained a boatload of three-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-His range goes out to college depth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with his slash &amp; spin that he finished with a short lefty J</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641212' first='Tiegen' last='Nyhaug'] (2026) 6'4 Beresford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Long &amp; lank baller, looks like a shooter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a sweet spin-move</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-In the right spot at the right time for a steal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Swung the ball &amp; moved it around instead of forcing shots </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2232597' first='Traveion' last='Neilan'] (2025) 6'3 Waubay-Summit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong &amp; well-built</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Collected several O-boards &amp; scored with a few putbacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Many nice assists, shared the ball, played hard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Handles &amp; shots looked good</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2621669,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_0dc253.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/image_0dc253.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2621669" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->