South Dakota 2029 Rankings Debut: Top 10 Prospects Discussion

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The South Dakota 2029 rankings debut hit the site on Monday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The initial rankings drop is just a guideline into a few of the top prospects and key players to watch as the class progresses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before going any further, I wanted to mention that there are some top prospects that were placed on the watchlist if I hadn't seen them play live yet or not extensively enough:<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>list of top prospects on watchlist that are on the higher end:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2442365' first='Lincoln' last='Williamson'] - Rapid City Central </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2836512' first='Loyall' last='Smith-Wade'] - Aberdeen Central <br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2435927' first='Ayden' last='Nelson'] - Clark/Willow Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2826953' first='Malcolm' last='Williams'] - Huron</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2858946' first='Ryker' last='Wajer'] - limited viewing and is most likely a top 30 prospect at minimum </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2480721"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683896ff0a7bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woods was expected to land as the top prospect for some time and there was no extra thinking involved in placing him as the #1 prospect. Elite 6'6” length, already has skills, with a crazy amount of upside if everything comes together, perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2826298"],"_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-6847d8b8eb454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After Woods at #1 is when things could go in many directions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going into the weekend and prior to the Hardwood Challenge, I definitely did not plan on having Sorensen so highly ranked. He kind of put on an elite display of skill and ability to dictate a game and takeover as a traditional point guard that also shoot the three and distribute at an elite level. He definitely has size concerns and high-level athleticism concerns, but he's so good on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/spencer_c3scout/status/1932187279302565940?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/spencer_c3scout/status/1932187279302565940?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2481885"],"_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-68398fb5d2c32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deng has nice length and has an overall skillset that is impressive for a 14U prospect. He's so smooth and composed with the ball. He doesn't get sped up and an average observer could notice this. He can score from all over and is a great knockdown 3-point shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/spencer_c3scout/status/1932463386895204385?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/spencer_c3scout/status/1932463386895204385?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427892"],"_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-68398fb5d2c7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter is a tough projection right now. On the court, he's by far the most dominant player in the 2029 class. He can takeover a game on the glass and as an at-the-hoop finisher. Surprisingly exceptional in transition for a young prospect at his size. Waiting to see how tall he can get and how his growth development plays out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856285"],"_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-68398fb5d2d47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trig has great positional length on the perimeter. Has some nice upside and is already an impact player on the court. Defends well on the perimeter and is a great rebounder that can high-point. Developing a 3-ball is the next step for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442367"],"_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-68398fb5d2cc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cohen has good size and has a high floor as a prospect because of his size and impact on the court. A steady player on the court that does a lot of damage in the paint. Catches the ball at the free-throw line and goes to his dominant left hand off the dribble and it's a tough go-to move to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2442366"],"_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-68398fb5d2d04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlie is a true point guard that competes on both ends. An impact transition point guard that pushes the pace consistently and quick. No real weaknesses to his game. Elite handle, passing skill, distributor, and 3-point shooter. Defends the ball hard and pressures the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2839180"],"_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-68398fb5d2e54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really like Craven and his speed and intensity on the court. He plays fast, defends on and off the ball well, and is a knockdown lefty 3-point shooter. A great off-the-driver player that finishes at the rim. If he can reach a good height he will be higher up the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2879422"],"_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-6847d8b8eb547"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kacyn is an elite football recruit and he uses his frame, strength and athleticism to play some bully-ball on the basketball court. A tough prospect to place on the rankings because he'll most likely be a football signee and he's not a shooter. But he can dominant on the court with his mentioned traits. He's tough to contain when he attacks the hoop and when he's active on the boards on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2836129"],"_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-68398fb5d2d8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm most likely higher on Jones than most. I think he provides some solid upside as a translatable wing defender and a 3-level scorer that can make a three, but if he can take his 3-ball to an elite level, he will be higher up the board. Solid all-around profile with size and has offensive upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->