5 Favorites from the Freshman Showcase

As we round out our coverage of this year's Prep Hoops Freshman Showcases, there are a few prospects who stood out above the rest and earned extra recognition. These 5 prospects are members of the Class of 2029, or current Freshman, and caught my eye. Check them out and put them on your radar before it's too late.   The Dakotas Freshman Showcase case took place at the Impact Sports Center in Sioux Falls, SD on 8/30/25. PHD is looking back in the rearview mirror to recognize thae top 5 ballers who left a last impression.   5 Favs Freshman Showcase    At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, few players made a bigger impression than this rising talent. From the opening tip, Bruns showed a complete blend of scoring, playmaking, and high-IQ basketball that separated him from the pack.   Offensively, Aaron's quick first step was a problem for defenders all day, allowing him to get downhill, create separation, and finish with a soft touch. He scored effectively in transition, running the floor hard and converting opportunities with both hands, including some crafty lefty finishes. His mid-range game was beautiful to watch—silky smooth, consistent, and described as “soft as falling snow.” On top of that, he established himself as one of the top shooters at the entire event, drilling catch-and-shoot threes from multiple spots on the floor and showing deep, confident range. Bruns knocked down tough pull-ups, catch-and-shoot looks, and confidently stepped to the line to sink free throws.   What elevated his performance even further was his unselfishness and vision. Time and time again, Bruns found teammates with accurate assists—swing passes, drive-and-kicks, and slick touch passes in transition. He constantly made the extra pass, setting up buckets for Schlimgen, Buchholz, Kerzmann, and others, proving he could both score in bunches and elevate everyone around him.   Defensively, Aaron made smart reads, jumping a passing lane near halfcourt and tipping away another post entry to spark turnovers. His instincts and hustle carried over to both ends, and he never seemed to take a play off.   Overall, his combination of polish scoring, elite shooting ability, playmaking feel, and high basketball IQ made him one of PHD's favorite players from the event. He showed the kind of all-around game that makes others better and wisn game—someone who can score in multiple ways, create for others, and impact the game with savvy decision-making.     At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, Myers turned heads with one of the most dynamic performances of the event. His combination of athleticism, skill, and shot-making made him not only one of Prep Hoops Dakotas' favorite players, but also one of the most impressive playmakers in attendance.   Myers' explosiveness was on full display from the start. With a bouncy first step and high-level speed, he consistently got to the rim “like he was shot out of a gun,” finishing through contact and showing off crafty lefty touch around the basket. He mixed in hesitation moves, crossovers, and quick changes of pace to keep defenders off balance, scoring tough buckets against multiple defenders and converting an impressive AND-1 finish.   As good as he was off the bounce, Myers proved he's just as dangerous from outside. He knocked down threes from all over the floor, including deep NBA-range triples with a smooth, fluid release and confident follow-through. His ability to space the floor while also attacking as a dynamic slasher made him a nightmare to contain.   Defensively, Myers showed he could make plays as well. He came up with steals on loose balls, strips at the rim, and full-court pickoffs, instantly turning defense into offense by pushing tempo and creating scoring chances. He also contributed on the glass, grabbing offensive rebounds and even tipping a long board to a teammate for an extra possession — the kind of heady play that winning players make.   What stood out most was his ability to impact the game in so many ways: creating his own shot, knocking down deep jumpers, finishing in traffic, and making smart plays on both ends. Myers showed he can be a go-to scorer and one of the top playmakers in his class, with the versatility and confidence to take over stretches of the game.     At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, Nolan delivered one of the most versatile performances of the day. With his impressive length and relentless motor, he found ways to leave a mark in nearly every phase of the game, making him one of PHD's favorites from the event.   Nolan's impact started with his activity on the glass. He was constantly around the ball, piling up offensive rebounds — often snagging multiple in the same possession — and creating second-chance opportunities for his team. His physicality and willingness to battle in traffic showed that he doesn't shy away from contact, instead using his frame and determination to carve out space.   Offensively, Nolan showed an intriguing mix of skills. He opened things up by burying a catch-and-shoot three, then went to work inside with a soft baby hook and a pair of crafty finishes at the rim, including a twisting give-and-go conversion and a contorted drive where he absorbed contact and still found the bucket. He attacked the hoop with purpose, finishing strong off two feet and earning frequent trips to the line.   On the defensive side, his length and quick reactions made a clear difference. Nolan challenged shots at the rim, disrupted passing lanes for steals, and even turned defense into offense by pushing the ball coast-to-coast for a transition score. His anticipation in full-court pressure added another dimension to his game, showing he could swing momentum with a single play.   What stood out most was how Nolan consistently found ways to be involved. Whether it was securing extra possessions, finishing through contact, stretching the floor, or creating turnovers, he proved he can influence a game in a variety of ways. With his blend of size, aggressiveness, and versatility, Nolan is a prospect to keep a close eye on moving forward.     At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, Gladue impressed as one of the most polished guards in the gym. With his size, skill, and floor awareness, he consistently found ways to orchestrate offense and put his stamp on the game.   Gladue's passing ability was nothing short of eye-catching. Time after time, he delivered precise bounce passes that split defenders and set up easy scores, whether it was a backdoor dime, a post-entry feed, or a perfectly-timed dish in transition. He routinely made teammates better, showing vision and creativity that few players his age possess.   He wasn't just a distributor, though. Gladue mixed in scoring of his own with a soft mid-range jumper, smooth touch finishes, and aggressive drives to the basket. He showcased craft with the ball in his hands, including a left-handed hesitation that froze his defender before he knifed inside for a finish. He also absorbed contact on multiple occasions, powering through for AND-1 buckets at the rim.   Defensively, his length and timing gave opponents problems. He came up with a strip steal, altered shots in the paint, and turned defense into offense by pushing the pace the other way. His ability to impact both ends of the floor was a big reason he stood out as one of PHD's favorites from the event.   In the end, Gladue displayed the kind of all-around game coaches dream of in a lead guard: playmaking instincts, size for the position, and the skill to score inside and out. He was undeniably one of the most impressive playmakers at the showcase and a player who looks poised for big things in the future.     At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, Weidner established himself as one of the premier BIG men in the gym. With his size, power, and developing skill set, he dominated the paint and showed flashes of being a complete interior presence, making him one of PHD's favorite players from the event.   Weidner set the tone with his physical style of play. He battled relentlessly on the glass, piling up offensive rebounds — sometimes multiple in the same trip — and converting them into second-chance points. He used his frame to seal defenders deep, finish through contact, and control the paint on both ends. His ability to catch high and finish high made him nearly automatic around the rim.   He excelled in the pick-and-roll game, setting sturdy screens and rolling hard for buckets. Time after time, he caught the ball in traffic and scored with strength, even completing AND-1 finishes over collapsing defenses. But it wasn't just power — Weidner showed touch with a baseline jumper, the coordination to put the ball on the deck from the elbow, and even the vision to kick the ball out for assists when the defense came down hard.   Defensively, his presence was equally impactful. The Miner contested and altered shots inside, grabbed tough boards in traffic, and even jumped a passing lane like a defensive back to create a steal. On one sequence, he took the ball coast-to-coast and finished with a reverse, proving he could run the floor and make plays in transition.   What made Weidner so impressive was the way he combined brute strength with emerging finesse. He could punish defenders inside, but he also had the coordination, hands, and awareness to expand his game beyond the paint. With his rebounding dominance, defensive anchor qualities, and ability to score in a variety of ways, Weidner stood out as one of the elite post players at the showcase.

As we round out our coverage of this year's Prep Hoops Freshman Showcases, there are a few prospects who stood out above the rest and earned extra recognition. These 5 prospects are members of the Class of 2029, or current Freshman, and caught my eye. Check them out and put them on your radar before it's too late.