Player Watchlist: Brawl For The Ball

The Prep Hoops Circuit is making its way to South Dakota this weekend, and all eyes will be on the action at the Impact Sports Center for Brawl For The Ball. <a href="https://x.com/DaksHoops" id="https://x.com/DaksHoops">@DaksHoops</a> will be in the building, ready to evaluate talent and take in a full slate of competitive matchups as teams hit the floor.   With plenty of intriguing prospects set to compete, we've put together a Player Watchlist highlighting names to know heading into the weekend. From star talent to under-the-radar contributors, this list gives a snapshot of who to keep an eye on and why they could make an impact.   Games will run Saturday and Sunday (May 2–3), setting the stage for a high-energy weekend of hoops. Best of luck to all the players competing—we're looking forward to taking it all in and seeing who rises to the occasion.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/image.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3621963" style="aspect-ratio:1.1609961483271656;width:164px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/PlayerWatchlistNDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-3621958" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></a></figure>    Nelson is a very skilled shooter who can fill it up. He stretches the floor way beyond the 3-point arc. Adrian also uses his shooting and athletic ability to get to the rim for buckets. Look out for this youngster in Sioux Falls.     Lachowitzer is a raw talent with a good amount of upside. He is a versatile athlete who thrives playing multiple positions. Ben does good work getting to the basket. He is also a solid shooter with a high hoops IQ.     He brings nice size and serious 3-point shooting ability to the court. Braxton is a physical ball player who scores it but also rebounds well. Bednarek has a solid inside-out game and is a player to watch in Sioux Falls.     Mr. Zwart had a rockstar junior season while averaging 18.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 1.7 apg. Caden is a player to know heading into Sioux Falls. He is highly effective out of the post and in transition, showing strong footwork, patience, and a polished turnaround jumper. Offensively, he can be a focal point, but also facilitate. Defensively, Caden competes at a high level, communicates constantly, and holds his own against bigger opponents. Add in his energy and leadership, and it's clear Zwart brings more than just production. Zwart's skill set, motor, and basketball IQ make him a consistent difference-maker—and a player capable of elevating his team throughout the weekend.     Eli is a player to keep an eye on this weekend, especially for what he brings on the offensive end. This winter, he showed that he can make an impact—staying active, playing with energy, and making the most of his opportunities. He's a talented shooter from beyond the arc and continues to improve in that area, developing into a legitimate shot-maker. Add in his high basketball IQ and clear love for the game, and you have a player who understands how to contribute and keeps trending upward. Plank's shooting ability and continued development make him a threat to heat up quickly—and a name that could make noise as the weekend unfolds.     Shawd has an epic junior season. He got the Titans to the State Tournament, was named 1st Team All-State (AA), and averaged 21.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg. Gavin could very well be the top scorer at this event. PHD is expecting Mr. Shawd to put on an offensive show at the Impact Sports Center.     King is a player to watch this weekend thanks to his speed, effort, and overall impact on the game. He's a quick athlete who plays with pace and puts pressure on the defense. Whether he's creating for himself or setting up teammates, King consistently makes positive plays on the offensive end. What stands out is his approach—he's not flashy, but he's effective. Hudson plays hard, defends well, and understands how to make the right reads. Add in the ability to knock down shots from deep, and he becomes a well-rounded guard who contributes in multiple ways. King's combination of speed, toughness, and decision-making makes him a steady difference-maker—and the type of player who can quietly take over stretches of a game.     With his length and room to continue growing physically, he brings a strong presence on both ends of the floor. Gass impacts the game in subtle but important ways, crashing the offensive glass, making smart kick-out passes, and staying active in passing lanes to create turnovers. Offensively, he's a smooth and efficient scorer with a quick, clean release from the perimeter. He doesn't over-handle the ball, keeps things moving, and shows a willingness to make the extra pass, especially in transition, where he can create easy looks for teammates. His blend of versatility, efficient production, and competitive edge makes Gass a breakout candidate who can impact the game in multiple ways all weekend long.     Monk is a player to keep an eye on this weekend, especially for those who value the little things that lead to winning. Coming off a season where he played a key role in a 23-win team that finished runner-up at State, Monk understands how to contribute to high-level basketball. He thrives in his role, bringing toughness, effort, and a team-first mindset every time he steps on the floor. With his length and defensive reliability, he makes life difficult on opponents, while his IQ and unselfishness help keep things flowing offensively. He's the type of player who may not always fill the stat sheet, but consistently makes winning plays. Monk's combination of effort, intelligence, and willingness to do whatever his team needs makes him an impactful piece and a player who can swing momentum in ways that don't always show up in the box score.     Bautch runs with Midwest Chargers 15U and is a player to watch. Max is a solid all-around ball player. He is a talented playmaker with a knack for knocking down three-pointers. He is also a very good defender.     He runs with 93 West 15U and goes to Spectrum. Johnson is a player who should be firmly on the radar this weekend. A versatile guard/wing, Johnson brings a strong blend of perimeter shooting and downhill ability, making him a constant scoring threat. He's comfortable stretching the floor from deep but is just as effective attacking off the bounce and getting to the rim. What makes Johnson especially intriguing is his positional flexibility—capable of playing the 1, 2, or 3, he gives his team options depending on matchups. While he's still developing and refining his game, the foundation is there. He competes, plays hard, and shows a high-level feel for the game that stands out. Johnson's combination of shooting, versatility, and upside makes him a prospect who can impact the game in multiple ways. As he continues to develop, expect his production—and attention—to rise.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/circuit-logo_b3ebdf80-crop-2021x1327-1773331424.webp"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/circuit-logo_b3ebdf80-crop-2021x1327-1773331424.webp?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3554001" /></a></figure>

The Prep Hoops Circuit is making its way to South Dakota this weekend, and all eyes will be on the action at the Impact Sports Center for Brawl For The Ball. @DaksHoops will be in the building, ready to evaluate talent and take in a full slate of competitive matchups as teams hit the floor.