2027 Stock Risers: Last But Not Least

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">The final chapter of this rankings cycle is officially here. Following the latest update to the North Dakota <strong>Class of 2027</strong> Prospect Rankings, Prep Hoops Dakotas took a closer look at the movers shaping the landscape. From breakout performances to steady upward trends, we've highlighted the players who made the strongest case for a rise, and we also looked at New Names. However, we are not done with the 2027 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last but not least, <strong>'27 Stock Risers</strong> closes out the series. This group may not sit at the very top of the rankings just yet, but their growth has been impossible to ignore. Through improvement, standing out as role players, impactful play, tireless hard work, and eye-opening performances, each of these athletes has elevated their stock. Below are notes and comments on <strong>13 Stock Risers</strong> from Class AA, A, and Class B who have climbed the board and earned their spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2961637,"width":"280px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/27-Stock-Risers.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/27-Stock-Risers.png?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2961637" style="width:280px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237756' first='Pierce' last='Thomsen'] |6'3 F| Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-1 of the top athletes in Region 1, developed his guard skills &amp; started to play more on perimeter, slasher, sticky defense, several rim-rocking dunks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2347885' first='Kaleb' last='Benning'] |6'0 F| Wilton-Wing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Playing good ball since coming back from injury, his defense &amp; rebounding are huge for 9-1 Miners, uses body well, WW is better w/ him on the court</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237769' first='Brody' last='Berndt'] |6'5 C| Rugby</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-BIG fella, noteworthy size, strong build, scores on the block &amp; around the hoop, looks to have good feet, boards well, shares the rock, soft touch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114971' first='Trace' last='Mattson'] |6'1 G| Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Playing well vs. top JV opponents, lights out shooter from beyond the arc, changes speeds well when slashing, makes positive plays in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2711405' first='Tyson' last='Vanyo'] |6'2 SF| Grand Forks Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Starter for the Knights, grinder hustler who plays his tail off, his work ethic second to none, great team player, selfless, positive leader, role player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237803' first='Jax' last='Hernandez'] |6'0 G| Hankinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Solid role player for 6-0 Pirates, 9 ppg &amp; 6.5 spg, thief on D, tough on-ball, productive on the O-glass, capable from 3, improved a ton in past year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2887408' first='Shaun' last='Reimche'] |6'3 SF| New Rockford-Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Very active on defense, blocks 2 shots per game, long &amp; bouncy, scoring 10 ppg as the Rockets 3rd offensive option, 4-1 record &amp; ranked #5 in B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237843' first='Wesley' last='Nickelson'] |5'11 G| Velva</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-PG &amp; creator, runs the floor well, problematic on D, nice court vision &amp; sets up others, effective shot from 3 with shooters touch &amp; extended range</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2838603' first='Jase' last='Utley'] |6'1 G| Central McLean</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hard worker, will make the D pay from 3 if left open, rebounds well, very solid team guy &amp; role player for the undefeated &amp; #1 ranked Cougars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237844' first='Jack' last='Gunderson'] |6'1 G| Cavalier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Leading scorer for Tornadoes, best part of Gunderson's game is slashing ability &amp; finishing at the rack, quick first step, extremely good in transition </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2377525' first='Brody' last='Kuntz'] |6'1 G| Dickinson Trinity</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Flush w/ versatility, 1st perimeter sub in the game, compliments teammates well, takes pressure off the post w/ his 3-shooting, fits into the system well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2775184' first='Jonas' last='Christensen'] |6'1 SF| Central McLean</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Successful role player for undefeated &amp; #1 ranked Cougars, physical &amp; strong, solid defender in the paint, strokes the 3-ball, capable of filling it up </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2347917' first='Samuel' last='Weaver'] |6'4 PF| MPCG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Plays like a BIG, roams the paint, 1 of the better post defenders/rebounders in Class A, not a huge scoring threat but catches &amp; finishes w/ strength </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1126976,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1126976" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->