Worth the Watch: Dakotas Film Breakdown

Sometimes the best evaluations don't happen in person, they happen on tape. This offseason, we've been diving back into the film on a group of 8 players from both North Dakota and South Dakota, some clips pulled from the club season, others from their high school runs, and one thing has become clear: these are players worth the watch.   Whether it's a play that jumps off the screen or a skill that shows up possession after possession, film has a way of confirming what the eye test tells you. In this article, we're breaking down a group of players whose tape earned them a spot on this list, regardless of when the footage was recorded. Good basketball shows up on film no matter the season, and these guys have plenty of it.   <a href="https://x.com/DaksHoops" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/DaksHoops">@DaksHoops</a> is taking a look at the film and commenting below....   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/NDSD.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2950876" style="width:308px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Worth the Watch    -Long, lean, fast, quick, mobile, athlete   -Tough going downhill, talented slasher   -Finishes well in traffic, has a nice floater game   -Looked good spotting up, catch & shooting the 3-ball   -Versatile on offense, hurts the D in a variety of ways   -Three-level multi-dimensional scorer   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoopStrande2/status/2087521160091025485 </div></figure>     -Easy to see why he is considered one of the best shooters in ND   -Buttery-smooth pull-up jumper, no problem creating a shot   -Ball skills are special, makes pretty passes, handles are tight   -Creative finisher around the hoop, scores from every angle & in traffic   -Great change of speeds, passes & scores w/ both hands, effective in PNR   -Seemingly limitless range, hit from the VB-line, NBA & college depths   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/crewrickard/status/2082584377343533314 </div></figure>     -High-quality athlete/mobility, hustler, takes charges, forces turnovers   -Shooting ranges stretch beyond the arc, hits from extended depths   -Finishes with both hands around the rim, innovate at the basket   -Gets to the rim in a hurry w/ a full head of steam, opportunistic on both ends   -Showed some acrobatic scores in the paint, noteworthy body control   -Attacks closeouts, showed counter moves to beat on-ball & secondary D   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Finndockter/status/2085550479270949275 </div></figure>     -BIG man, tough on the block, finishes through contact   -Footwork looks good, sets up the D & counters   -Protects the rim, natural instincts and timing   -Has a soft finishing touch for a big strong low-post   -Seals well, embraces contact, has a sweet baby-hook   -Talented passer w/ a soft touch, sees the floor well, unselfish   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JylesMeier/status/2086849169143030018 </div></figure>     -I like his length as a lead guard, full of versatility   -All-level scorer, takes what the defense gives him, will exploit an overplay   -Smart/clever about using body to attack angles & create space for buckets   -Hit shots off the catch & pull-up, creative in the paint, finishes L & R   -Savvy and creative with jab-steps, pivots, and fakes to create separation   -Soft-shooting touch, good-looking form, nice balance, uses size to get off J's   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KaleKnudson09/status/2086559103875190954 </div></figure>     -Talented youngster, astute handles, artful and sly with the rock   -Knockdown shooter from beyond the 3-point arc, extended range   -Soft-touch shooter, feathery release, hit off the catch & via the pull-up   -Drops & dishes dimes, sees the floor well, willing passer, sets up teammates   -Intrigued with his hesi-moves & ability to create space for a '29 guard   -Impressive floater game, creates TO & turns them into points in transition   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MThompsonn11/status/2087008044953600475 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MThompsonn11/status/2084766548481187867 </div></figure>     -No-doubt a next-level athlete, noteworthy length, runs & jumps very well   -Matchup problem, full scoring package, impressive hang-time & body control   -Deadly scoring threat from every level and angle, shot-creator   -Has serious shooting range with a clean-looking stroke   -Space-creating step-back move & he delivers with the shot   -Tough shot-maker, drilled many J's with a hand in his grill   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tommybaum31/status/2086590625952964758 </div></figure>     -Serious athlete, easily passes the eye-test, smooth on the hardwood   -Excellent at creating space, nice length, has the frame to keep adding muscle   -He can bang home the 3-ball & slash for profit, impressed with lefty finishes   -Fast up the court, sprinter speed, shifty going to the rim, creative finisher   -I like his pump/shot fakes, effective jab & first step, has a nasty crossover   -Dangerous in transition, pulls up on a dime, all-encompassing scorer   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/iztrey3/status/2086172292208271633 </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/PHD.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1272514" /></a></figure>

Sometimes the best evaluations don't happen in person, they happen on tape. This offseason, we've been diving back into the film on a group of 8 players from both North Dakota and South Dakota, some clips pulled from the club season, others from their high school runs, and one thing has become clear: these are players worth the watch.