8 Skilled Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Dakotas is highlighting skilled players from North Dakota in this piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100"><span style="text-decoration: underline">How do you know a skilled baller when you see them?</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"12px","fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-weight:100">A skilled basketball player possesses a combination of technical skills, game intelligence, physical ability, and mental sharpness. Key attributes include: Clean, proper, fluid, and accurate shooting mechanics, precision &amp; timely passing, handling &amp; passing with left &amp; right hands, throwing &amp; completing a variety of passes, combo dribble moves, ball-on-a-string handles, manipulating defenders/tempo/screens, running the offense, post moves, footwork, balance, a versatile finishing package, 3-level scoring, using screens, fakes, pivots, craftiness, changing speeds, creativeness, using counter moves, beating double teams, proper closeouts, shot-blocking, help defense, exploiting mismatches and many others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2767233,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/SkilledBallers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/SkilledBallers.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2767233" style="width:327px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680906' first='Aiden' last='Green'] (2027) |6'1 G| Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He keeps the ball on a string! Green has sensational handles. He is also a serious 3-point marksman, he is shooting a smoking-hot 47.5% from behind the arc, which makes him one of the elite shooters in the EDC. Aiden is a crafty finisher around the rim and has a sweet mid-range pull-up game. He puts really nice touch on his passes in the ball screen game and shoots almost 90% from the FT line. The best part is, Green does all of that while guarding the opposing team's best guard. 12.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1 spg, 47.1 FG%.<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1746021' first='Aiden' last='Hanson'] (2026) |6'4 G/F| Central McLean</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 apg, 61.7 FG%, 44.1 3FG%, 68.4 eFG%. Hanson is a phenomenal leader with excellent skills. He is the backbone of the Cougars offense and defense. Aiden's hoops IQ and feel for the game are top-notch, he is skilled the rock and always makes the right read. He can light the nets on fire but also drop dimes like a table-setting PG. Hanson is a shot-creator for himself and his teammates. However, he also moves well without the ball, creates space, and knows how to get to his spots for open shots. Aiden is a difficult matchup with his size, skill, smarts, and selfless play. I am impressed with his overall game but also his ability to elevate those around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1798696' first='Brayden' last='Steffens'] (2026) |6'1 PG| Wahpeton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is in his 2^nd year of running the point for the Huskies. Brayden's ability to handle the ball in traffic, score in a congested paint with a variety of pull-ups, step-throughs, and crossovers is very difficult to stop. He's also a great passer who anticipates the play and sees the free man before he is in the clear and knows he's open. Brayden's ability to get everyone involved while averaging 15 ppg is what makes him so important to the Huskies. Steffens is also a very good defender who's called upon each night to defend one of the better players on the opposing team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497479' first='Brennan' last='Johnson']&nbsp;(2025) |6'8 C/PF| Tioga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BJ is averaging 30 ppg and 17 rpg, those are some eye-catching numbers. Johnson is very effective with his back to the basket, he is one of the top low-post players in ND. At 6'8", skilled, and with a strong frame, he is tough to stop or slow down. This BIG Pirate can also step outside and shoot the 3-ball with skill. Brennan is also a skilled and highly productive rebounder. Johnson is overall the best boys basketball player to come out of Tioga High School!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497483' first='Cameron' last='Klefstad'] (2025) |6'5 F| Grand Forks Red River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cam is skilled with his ability to finish around the hoop but also play inside-out. Klefstad is an efficient and skilled interior finisher. His shooting percentage from the field is one of the top in the league. Cam's skill and talent level have improved a ton in the last year. Klefstad is an impressive passer for a BIG (3.5 apg). He is also a powerful and athletic finisher. 18.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 52.5 FG%.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636429' first='Cooper' last='Hayes'] (2029) |5'10 PG| Tioga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This youngster is putting up impressive numbers as an 8th grade PG. Hayes is averaging around 15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 5 apg while shooting 32 3FG% and 92 FT%. The youthful Pirate is a skilled, accurate, and confident shooter from the charity stripe. Cooper handles pressure as well as anyone that coach Alberts has seen this season. The JH PG makes it tough for opposing teams when they press Tioga. Hayes is very heady and smart with the ball. He makes the extra pass when needed, but can also attack and hit shots from all over the floor. With 4 more years of varsity, Cooper has a lot of room for even more explosion and athleticism to come. Hayes needs to get some sunglasses because the future is bright!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144603' first='Gentry' last='Richter'] (2025) |6'5 F| Linton-HMB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This skilled Lion has led his team to a 9-5 record at this point of the season. Gentry is filling up the stat sheet with 15.5 ppg, 12 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3.5 spg, and 1.5 bpg. That is an impressive stat line! Richter handles the ball as a point forward and can score at all three levels. Gentry has a real feel for the game and gets his teammates quality shots. Gentry also is the anchor of the Lion defense. Richter has the ability to switch onto guards and play terrific post-defense. He is a smart and unselfish playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237807' first='James' last='Schindler']&nbsp;(2027) |5'9 PG| Grand Forks Red River</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schindler makes this list because he is a sharp-handling PG as a sophomore in the EDC. James takes care of the ball while getting the Roughriders into their offense. He is also effective at hitting from long range. Schindler is a calm, cool, and collected baller with a good head on his shoulders. James can also get hot and put up splashy numbers in the scoring column. This kid has razor-sharp skills. He is an overall smart and dependable player.14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.9 spg, 41.6 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 82.1 FT%.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1606306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->