2026 17U Season: Team by Team Most Impressive Player

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got through the top 20 and tell you about the player that really caught our eye. This is not as much a Team MVP as it is the guy we were most impressed with in terms of stepping up from high school to AAU play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1). [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota']. [player_tooltip player_id='2126115' first='Vincent' last='Cronin']. The Edina 6'7 wing really showed what his full potential is as a player and as a prospect. He had high majors right there looking and they were close but Miami of Ohio is a great fit. He is going to be in the conversation for top player and prospect in this senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2). Fury Goring. [player_tooltip player_id='2126466' first='Kobby' last='Sambrew']. I think the mindset of Sambrew changed to a player hell bent on showing that he can be very high level productive with his energy and physical abilities and he did that. Sambrew will have a chance to play for the best in the NSIC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(3). Hoop Habits. [player_tooltip player_id='2126458' first='Luke' last='Schroeder']. The shooter that we all know about became the shooter that all the area coaches want in their program. Luke is a full scholarship special shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(4) [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite']. [player_tooltip player_id='2126472' first='Owen' last='Counce']. I loved the edge that Owen brought to the court and to his team. It was like a chip was on his shoulder every time he was on the court and he play made at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(5). Fury Zurn. [player_tooltip player_id='2362161' first='Matthew' last='Johnson']. Matt going from a 15 point per game guy to a player that has NSICs all over him and was offered by Wyoming is such a fun story. A huge jump was made in 17u.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(6). [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] Fuerte. [player_tooltip player_id='1956268' first='Shay' last='Jackson']. We really got the full scope of what Shay can do when he had the ball in his hands at all times. This is a top 25 player and prospect in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(7).[program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] Stone. [player_tooltip player_id='1819128' first='Bryce' last='Gaustad']. Bryce is what 17u is all about. He had a nice season at Anoka but then took the court with a team that got him opportunity in the right spots and he took full advantage. NSIC options galore and a UND offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(8). [program_tooltip program_id='2888391' first='Minnesota' last='Comets']. [player_tooltip player_id='2126126' first='Ray' last='Brau']. We saw that Ray can play through pain and injury, and that he can be a constant producer if its up north, in Class AAA against good teams, and against a high level of 17u play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(9). [program_tooltip program_id='2075496' first='Grassroots' last='Sizzle']. [player_tooltip player_id='2416947' first='Ayden' last='Green']. Led his team to a state title in the winter and then led Sizzle to 22 wins this 17u season, a lead guard that wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(10). [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] GVR. [player_tooltip player_id='2140688' first='Rylan' last='Happel']. The Mounds View guard is far more crafty, and far more talented than I think people know and the Heat was really good down the stretch with Rylan flourishing a a playmaker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(11). Minnesota Lightning. [player_tooltip player_id='2824358' first='Nicholas' last='Taylor']. Earlier I said "this is what AAU is all about" and I really really mean that with Taylor. The Lanesboro standout had an awesome 17u season really showing the state what his full potential is, and there is a lot there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(12). [program_tooltip program_id='2821775' first='Buffalo' last='Legacy']. Mathew Jordan. Matthew gave us a pretty good idea of what he is capable of and that he can be a college basketball player. It was good to see the light on him and to see the Buffalo guard produce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(13). Real Phemom. [player_tooltip player_id='2568101' first='Donjae' last='Knox']. In seeing Real Phenom play, I thought the guy that looks like a better prospect than I was aware of is the Eagan power forward. Knox is bigger, faster, and stronger than we could see from the winter and he put it to good use.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(14). Elevate Skills. [player_tooltip player_id='2834084' first='Kingland' last='Adeosun']. I would guess that there are many that weren't aware that Adeosun had a really good winter but when they watched 17u teams saw a versatile double figure scorer for Elevate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(15). Minnesota Rise. [player_tooltip player_id='2815445' first='Levi' last='Hopp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2815441' first='Mitchell' last='Hopp']. Including twins together is something I try to avoid but when the two of them both show skill, size for their position, and an edge to their game, and then they both get an NAIA offer, we include them together. The Hopp Brothers have good potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(16). [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] Lernell. Luke Miller. Luke Miller is the type of player that I think coaches would love to coach. He is tough, productive and consistent. I think he will have a really strong senior year at Edina. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(17) [program_tooltip program_id='2888391' first='Minnesota' last='Comets'] Hondl. [player_tooltip player_id='2128248' first='Rock' last='Holubar']. The Pequot Lakes big was consistently productive as a scorer and rebounder, and he shot the ball better than expected from the perimeter. These Pequot Lakes kids just keep getting better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(18). Minnesota Gold. Thomas LeDuc. I feel like every year some Farmington player emerges in 17u in a surprising way and I think LeDuc was that guy as the 6'5 forward was really efficient finishing possessions. Consistent scorer in the paint and rebounder all year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(19).Southwest Minnesota Stars. [player_tooltip player_id='2140568' first='Caleb' last='Meyer']. The Worthington forward is a much better scorer and prospect than I was aware of/. Worthington is going to be a better team that we thought and Caleb is a key part of that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->