2026 Prospect Rankings: Minnesota High Level Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings update is coming for the winter and its a chance to point out players that have really taken their games to a higher level as high level stock risers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874931' first='Shiloh' last='Ayitey'] of Blaine. Shiloh has become stronger, he's become more skilled with the ball meaning he is quicker with the ball going at a defense, his range has improved and the three point percentages are up, and most of all, even though teams are gameplanning to stop him, he's still leading this team to wins as Blaine is 16-2. Scoring almost 22 points a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3102819' first='AJ' last='Bessler'] of Nevis. AJ might just be one of the best kept secrets in the state right now. Bessler is a 6'6/6'7 frontcourt player that has become better with his ball skills but his mind set is using his agility to help on ball screens, get to help in the paint to contest, to rebound, to run the floor and score at the rim. Bessler is averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds for a 14-3 team and he has spent his long varsity basketball career playing in the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1628768' first='Connor' last='Duden'] of Red Lake County. If you want to talk tough, that is Connor. He is the team's top defender, the top RLC scorer at 21 a night, their top rebounder, and while he's playing off guard, Connor still does combo guard things for the top team in Class A basketball right now. Headed to Bemidji State next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2119578' first='Pierce' last='Petersohn'] of Triton. After watching Pierce play once this season and seeing several of his shortened games, I am convinced he could be a full scholarship guy someplace at least. His 33/34 points and 13 rebounds a game playing lead guard at times and providing an athletic ability and strength that few have, it makes since he is a major conference football guy (the right option of course as that is a paid level) but on the court this is a scholarship NSIC talent and maybe even a D1 caliber player potentially on the hard wood. After not playing 17u Pierce has reminded us how good he is, a top ten level Mr. Basketball kid that has his team at 18-3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1951088' first='Luke' last='Roschen'] of Goodhue. This 6'3 all sport athlete is a winner. He makes steady plays, he is tough, Luke makes the right decisions and he has good size for his spot. Luke, who is headed to SMSU next year, might be a steal. Roschen is looking like a heck of an incoming talent for the Mustangs joining Talan and Misegades in that class and his Goodhue team is 19-1. Goodhue is still my pick to win Class AA. Yes I know they are third ranked and not one, but that is because they lost to Cotter on one day but when it comes to March, we think Goodhue brings it home and Luke is the All State leader of the bunch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3042595' first='Jermaine' last='Thomas-Curtis'] of St. Paul Johnson. Thomas-Curtis is one of the more explosive players in the senior class and his ability to put that athletic ability to use defensively both on and off the ball for Johnson has helped them win games. He is scoring 15-16 a contest and his potential has a ton of junior colleges and some NAIA schools looking closely. Only played ten games as a junior last year (but averaged double digits when he did) and was rarely seen in AAU. That said, his performance in the Twin Cities Takedown last April was a big eye opener and schools really jumped into the mix after watching him excel with Johnson during fall league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560851' first='Hamze' last='Yusuf'] of Eden Prairie. Yusuf had quickly moved into position as one of the best couple unsigned/uncommitted players in this senior class. We are seeing Hamze play against some of the best teams in the state and use his speed, use his separation, and use his touch with range to push Eden Prairie into the top ten and be a better team than expected. Yusuf looks like a top ten guy for the Mr. Basketball award as he is averaging 25.6 points and over five assist a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->