8 Baller Interviews

We are in the heart of club basketball season, and schools across the Dakotas are wrapping up the year. Prep Hoops Dakotas thought this would be a fun time to hear from a handful of basketball players and get a feel for the hoop scene.   PHD caught up with eight ballers from both North Dakota & South Dakota.   See below for our Q&A sessions with [player_tooltip player_id='1632632' first='Artie' last='Carlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='1327797' first='Carter' last='Evanson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2132816' first='Gavin' last='Shawd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1975416' first='Khaliq' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2480721' first='Noah' last='Woods'], [player_tooltip player_id='2828718' first='Sage' last='Hanson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641205' first='Sam' last='Ericsson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2442325' first='Ty' last='Barman'].   We have an interesting group of ballers from a wide range age group. They all have one thing in common: they are stud basketball players!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_9bc2a8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_9bc2a8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2868312" style="width:174px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   BALLER INTERVIEWS    Certified Stock Riser, making noise this spring, uber-skilled, gamer & competitor   Q&A   PHD: How did the HS season go for you & your team?   "It was a solid season as we went to State and made a run in the Regional Tournament and took 2nd."   PHD: Can you tell us about individual successes you had in the prep season?   "I'd say some successes I've had were averaging around 10 points a game on a State qualifying team."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "3 strengths of my game are: I am an efficient shooter, I'm a good ball handler, and my defense has become a strength of mine over this past year."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "I would say something I want to improve on is my strength and overall athletic ability."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "The club season for our team has been pretty successful as we have competed with some very talented teams. Individually, I feel my club season has been somewhat of a breakout as I've had some good games against some good teams."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "One fun memory from the spring season I have is when our team came back from 16 points and won the game by 20 against West Central United."   PHD: What can you tell us about your recruiting process so far?   "I've had some schools reach out and tell me they are interested and enjoy watching me play. I'm super excited about getting to the next chapter in playing college basketball. For now, I am focused on becoming the best basketball player I can be and having a good season at Bismarck High."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "This summer I will be mainly focusing on basketball but in my free time I will be golfing with friends and spending time with family."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "A goal I have for this season would be to help lead my team to the State Championship and win it."     Easy$ picked up offer from UND this week, sniper, athlete, dynamic playmaker   Q&A   PHD: How did the HS season go for you & your team?   "Our team had a great year, we were undefeated at home and played some of our best basketball! We started three sophomores, a junior, and a senior. We lost some close ones at the end but that's in the past and we are ready to go next season."   PHD: Tell us about the individual successes you had in the prep season.   "Some personal success I had was All-State and All-EDC. I had great teammates who made this possible."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "This is a hard one, I would say that I can find the open man when I have the ball, I like to get a rebound and go, love a transition game, and I can play 1-3 spots on the court if needed."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "Rebounding is something I want to improve on and defense."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "Great, we haven't had our whole team there yet with spring sports, so I am excited for that! Our team has great chemistry when we play, everyone has roles and we play so great together."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "My little brother and I went to watch Rod Wave Elite in the cities and it was the best time. It ended up getting canceled after a fight but it was still a fun experience."   PHD: What can you tell us about your recruiting process so far?   "It's been fun and a little stressful. I am talking to multiple colleges right now and making sure I make the right decision at the end."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "The lake as much as possible."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "State Championship!"     Playing very well on PH Circuit, has proved himself as a bucket-getter this spring   Q&A   PHD: How did the HS season go for you & your team?   "I'd say it went well, we had a pretty tough schedule and a young squad but for myself, I feel like I exceeded my own expectations and I'm proud of the result."   PHD: Tell us about the individual success you had in the prep season.   "I was becoming very consistent in doing basketball workouts and I was understanding the game a lot better."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "3 strengths of my game are my shooting, off-ball movement, and finishing with contact."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "One thing I want to improve on is my ball handling, it's not bad, but that's where most of my turnovers come from."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "My club season is going good, so far we have won two tournaments. One of them being Prep Hoops Brawl For The Ball. I feel like individually, everyone on the team is improving."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "A fun memory from the spring season is probably the video that got made of me on the PH Circuit Instagram page, it gave me a big confidence boost to keep working and get better."   PHD: What is your “go-to” move when you need a bucket?   "My go-to move if we need a basket is definitely a spin move layup or spin move jumper. So, I would say spin move is the go-to."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "Some fun plans I have during the summer are basically all around golf, my friends and I love to go golf in the nice weather. So if I'm not on the court, that's where I will probably be."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "My main goal for this upcoming high school season as a group is to make it to State. Individually is making All-State."     Breakout HS season, complete DUDE this spring, looking like a D1 prospect   Q&A   PHD: How did the high school season go for you and your team?   "Didn't end how we wanted it to end but I accomplished most of my goals and learned a lot from the upper class."   PHD: Tell us about the individual success you had in the prep season?   "Made All-WDA , had the most 3-pointers made in the WDA, and averaged around 12 ppg."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "Shooting, defense, and being able to create for me and my teammates."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "Strength & athleticism."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "I believe we are starting out solid, just came back from Chicago Live and went 3-1 in the highest division."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "My last game against Fargo North when my brother and I combined for 50+."   PHD: How do you work to improve your game?   "By watching film and working out daily."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "Lifting and hanging out with friends and family."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "Win State."     Future #1 Prospect in SD 2029 Class, long & athletic, high IQ, skilled & unselfish   Q&A   PHD: How did the school season go for you & your team?   "The school season went well. We had a well-balanced team with a good coach on our side."   PHD: Tell us about the individual successes you had in school ball?   "In school ball, I worked more on my skills since my competition wasn't at a high level like it is now, so I used it to get better on shooting, dribbling, and more."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "3 strengths of my game, I would say, are driving and getting to the rim. Shooting from mid-range and 3. And lastly, rebounding at a high level."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "One thing I want to improve on is dribbling. I have a well enough handle for now, but I would love to improve on it."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "My club season so far has been really good. We have a bunch of high-level athletes who compete at a high-level.   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "Some fun memories from the spring season were team bonding. I love to get to know my teammates on and off the court."   PHD: How do you work to improve your game?   "To improve my game I go to workouts and on certain games where our competition isn't the best I use that time to improve."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "Outside of basketball, I plan to hang out with friends and improve myself in the best ways possible."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for this next year of school ball?   "1 goal for high-school basketball is to compete at a high level and only get better and better from there."     Picked up offer from UND this week, great shot-blocker, 3level scorer, long/strong   Q&A   PHD: What is your “go to” move when you need a bucket?   "If it's a smaller defender, take them to the post and shoot over. Taller, I size them up and attack the basket. Either that or off-dribble 3."   PHD: How did you play last weekend at PH Live?   "I played pretty well last weekend. I thought I attacked the basket well and finished strong. I also thought I protected the rim well."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "Versatile at my height, can shoot well, and ability to protect the rim."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "I want to improve my rebounding and paint presence overall."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "It's going pretty well so far. We have achieved a 9-3 record over our first three tournaments, going 4-0 last weekend."   PHD: Would you rather hit a deep 3, throw down a dunk, or swat a shot?   "I would rather swat a shot. Whenever I get engaged and make a big play defensively, I usually transfer that energy to the offensive end."   PHD: What can you tell us about your recruiting process so far?   "It has been fun hearing from a lot of different coaches. Being able to get input from a lot of different people about what they see me as and what I need to work on helps me improve my game."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "I won't be doing much other than basketball, but I usually go to the State Fair a lot when it's in town."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "My goal for the high school season is to make the State Tournament. I have never been, so I want to use my last chance to be able to."     Major shooting threat from 3point land, gaining a good amount of college interest   Q&A   PHD: How did the HS season go for you & your team?   "We had a productive year going 22-2 and 3rd at the AA State Tournament with a lot of returning talent coming back."   PHD: Tell us about the individual success you had in the prep season?   "I achieved First Team All-State for the AA level and had the second most threes in school history with 69."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "The 3 strongest parts of my game are my deep 3 shooting, my court feel, and passing."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "One thing I always try to keep getting better at is defending at a high level."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "So far, the AAU season has been pretty solid and we keep getting better with each tournament. We all play really well together, and our play styles mesh."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "One fun memory so far from the AAU season was hanging out at the mall in Minneapolis with some teammates."   PHD: What can you tell us about your recruiting process so far?   "So far in my recruiting process, I hold 3 offers from Briar Cliff, Dakota State University, and Northern State University."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "This summer, besides basketball, I plan on improving my golf game and hanging with friends at the lake."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "My only goal for my senior year basketball season is winning the State Championship."     Future #1 Prospect in ND '29 Class, All-District & Region this season, stat stuffer   PHD: How did the HS season go for you & your team?   "The season went pretty well, we won more games, made it to the Regional Tourney, but lost the first game, which wasn't how we wanted it to go, but we improved."   PHD: Tell us about the individual success you had in the prep season.   "Some individual success I had in the prep season was learning how important watching film and being prepared for each game was."   PHD: Can you tell us 3 strengths of your game?   "I think my 3 strengths are my ability to slash, shoot, and the way I use my athleticism."   PHD: What is one thing you want to improve on?   "I think one thing I need to improve on is my ball handling."   PHD: How is the club season going so far?   "The club season is going really well, we are finding success in being more skilled than our opponents, which is helping us win. We are 10-2 right now, I believe."   PHD: Can you tell us one fun memory from the spring season?   "One fun experience would be going down to Phoenix and winning the A pool. As well as spending time with my teammates outside of basketball."   PHD: How do you work to improve your game?   "I shoot many shots on our Dr. Dishes that we have at our gym in Ray, as well as working on ball handling and skill work. I also believe the weight room is the reason I have been successful at a young age."   PHD: Do you have any fun plans for the summer outside of basketball?   "Most of the summer I will be traveling playing AAU with Bearstail or other teams I hop on with for a weekend, which I will be going to cool places like Vegas, Mertle Beach, and Kansas. For fun outside of basketball, I will probably spend time with friends at the lake."   PHD: Can you tell us 1 goal you have for the next HS season?   "One goal for next high school season will be to make the State Tournament for the second time in school history and be one of the top 5 Class B teams in the State."    BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE BALLERS THIS SUMMER!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure>

We are in the heart of club basketball season, and schools across the Dakotas are wrapping up the year. Prep Hoops Dakotas thought this would be a fun time to hear from a handful of basketball players and get a feel for the hoop scene.