’27 Players To Watch: Who’s Next Combine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday (6/19/25), Fargo Parks Sports Center will be full of basketball action!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Sanford Sports is putting on the Who's Next Combine. Most of the players will be from North Dakota, but there will also be a handful of players from Minnesota in attendance. This is an “Invite Only” event and there will be players from the 2026 class down to the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who's Next Combine tips off at 12:00 PM and runs until 4:00 PM.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"12px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:12px">“<em>Our Who's Next Combines are designed to showcase the wonderful talent in our region as well as provide an opportunity to compete against the best. Led by our Sanford Sports Basketball Academy staff, we will put the attendees through skill development stations, Performance measurements, and 5-on-5 live play. All in front of various college coaches from the region.</em>”&nbsp;<strong>-Sanford Sports</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">PHD is previewing the event by putting together a list of Players To Watch. We have put together a list of player and will give you reason to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100"><em>*This is not a complete list of who will be in attendance.</em><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2883480,"width":"373px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/image_4415d7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/image_4415d7.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2883480" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2405944"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850df0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Played well this spring, long athlete, thrived as a role player with SSA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Rebounds hard, defends well, great leader on both ends, always gives 100%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sanchez will be a dude for the Cowboys this coming HS season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1680906"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-I admire his middy pull-up jump shot, can pull the trigger anytime he wants</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Slippery &amp; elusive slasher, excellent finisher, will also dish &amp; drop dimes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Multi-sport athlete, he will have his choice between bball &amp; fball at next level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2052770"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850ea2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressive school season, named All-District &amp; All-Tournament Team at State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hot-shot from 3-point land, plays hard, lets see if he can shoot with the best</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Looking forward to seeing him against the AA guards, does he compete?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539671"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850eef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-He impressed me at the SSA tryouts and I expect Finn to look tough again</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Plays the game hard, hoops with great energy, has noteworthy athleticism</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Will get points from every level, I think he is going to have a breakout season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539679"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850f3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Solid fundamentals, skilled, and talented, gets it done on the defensive end</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Will score the rock in a variety of ways, creative &amp; opportunistic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Pesky as on-ball defense, does he hit triples? How does he run &amp; jump?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1925132"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850f84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Expecting him to cash in many 3's, can he get to the rack against AA athletes?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like his confidence level, extended shooting range, and his floater game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Does he value the ball, take care of the rock, and plays hard on defense?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132777"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c850fcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Impressive high school season, standout this spring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Intriguing prospect w/ length, athleticism, 3-level scoring, great potential on D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He will be at the MBCA Showcase on Friday &amp; will be in elite company</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1863062"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c851019"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-A quick, fast, speedy, and fiery athlete, pesky on defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Leader on the floor, sharp, smart, and purposeful decision-maker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He is a winner, creator, playmaker, and a capable perimeter shooter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1651920"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c851062"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-He keeps adding inches, nice length, defends inside &amp; out, good help D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Soft-touch shooter, crafty &amp; creative, skilled, has a good feel for the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Can he turn it on at an event like this &amp; take over a game or dominate in 1on1?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1651919"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c8510ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He should be one of the top shooters at this event in the 2027 class</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Have not seen him since school ball, has he added on any weight/size?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Is not playing on a club team, how sharp is the shooter?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237722"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c8510f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Made plenty of noise this spring, showed he makes plays when it really matters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I like his size, how are his post moves &amp; finishing? Does he do the dirty work?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Expecting him to be a breakout baller this winter and to be an All-EDC baller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1537905"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c85113d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A lanky and long shooting guard, I want to see how his ball skills are</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-What type of athlete? How does he look on D? Expecting him to shoot well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-I have not seen him hoop in a while, excited to see this Deacon play</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6851c6c851186"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Great high school season, playing well w/ SSA, looked tough at NDSU on Fri</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He keeps getting taller, will not be surprised if he is up to 6'4"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has an amazing feel for the game, high IQ &amp; feel, talented defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2883123,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/image_789c8c.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/image_789c8c.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2883123" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->