Beyond The Hardwood: Dakotas Ballers

As we get closer to another basketball season, @DaksHoops is taking you beyond the hardwood to get to know some of the talented ballers from across North Dakota and South Dakota. In this series, we sit down with players from around the Dakotas and give them a chance to talk about their game, their journey, and the people and things that make them who they are.   These Q&As are a fun way to learn more about the players beyond the stats and highlights. It's a great way to pass the time while we wait for the gyms to fill up and the new season to tip off.   So take a break from the countdown to basketball season and get to know the players behind the game. We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the Dakotas' best young talent and hearing what they have to say.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_c9346b.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_c9346b.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3773216" style="width:222px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_c3d2c3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/image_c3d2c3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3773217" style="width:417px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Beyond The Hardwood: Dakotas Ballers    PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "I try to be in the gym 3 days a week, 60 or 90 minutes at a time of fundamentals and skill work, and I make sure I lift 6 out of 7 days in the week."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "I focus on moves to the basket this off-season, and I'm trying to get better and shoot more consistently."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "I play football in the fall, and try to shoot hoops on the weekends."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My goal is to have another Championship appearance."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "Influential coaches I've had are Josh and Kent Mueller. They have coached me since I was a freshman, and they truly cared about my development."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2253896' first='Tayden' last='Kerrigan'], he's a good PG/SG with good handles and IQ."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch is Kyrie Irving. I like the way he handles defenders, and his ability to use different moves to score."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "My game has grown the most in my shooting, I'm starting to get more and more comfortable shooting 3s."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "Kent Mueller pushes me the hardest because he expects a lot from me."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "Hot spot is the wing and my go-to move is a jab step to a layup from the wing, or a pull-up mid-range shot from the elbow."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "During the offseason, my main objective was to get stronger, so I spent a lot of time in the weight room. I also put a huge emphasis on my footwork and doing my best to get that quicker. On the court, ball handling and stretching the floor were a big emphasis for me, so spending countless hours in the gym working on my three-point shot and getting my handle tight was something I was constantly focused on."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "One specific part of my game I was really focused on improving this off-season was my ball handling, as I said before. Playing high school basketball at that double-A level, you have to be very well-rounded, and I felt that ball handling was one of my weaknesses and strengthening that skill was definitely one of my priorities throughout this off-season."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "Right now I am not in any other sport and am completely focused on basketball. In the past I was enrolled in a fall sport but I felt that dedicating all of my time to basketball was in my best interest."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My individual goals for this upcoming season are to earn a starting spot on my varsity roster. Along with that, the class of 29 is a very talented class when it comes to basketball and I want to solidify myself as one of the top prospects in the state. For my team goals I have high expectations for us this year making a deep run in state is something that is definitely in reach this year and we all know that. We hold each other to a high standard so I have no doubt that we will be successful."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "I have had a lot of coaches throughout my basketball career and 2 coaches that have really had a meaningful impact on my career would have to be my AAU coach Andrew Ulvestead and then Coach Andy Kleinjan at Harrisburg. Both of these coaches have made a positive impact on my career but in 2 different ways. Coach Ulvestead first became my coach during the 14u season and immediately encouraged me and always put me in positions to succeed and really helped me with my confidence. I started playing for coach Kleinjan for the first time my freshman season and he would always tell me what I needed to hear vs what I wanted to hear and he really believes in me."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "A teammate of mine that people need to know about is [player_tooltip player_id='2442374' first='Colby' last='Coyne'], he is someone who I absolutely love training with as me and him constantly push each other to our limits. This dude is as hardworking as they get and is in my opinion the best shooter in the state for ‘29."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite pro player is definitely Anthony Edward's, his passion for the game really inspires me and he is super fun to watch."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I feel like my game has grown a lot throughout the last year, I have gotten a lot more athletic and have grown into my body more. My jump shot has come a long way along and my ability to play in the post whether it is facing up or keeping my back at the basket."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "A go-to move for me, I would have to say a one dribble pull up out of the perimeter or a baby hook in the post is something that I will try and get to when I can."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "This offseason, I spent a lot of time working on my handle, shooting, finishing, and getting more athletic. I also played AAU, which gave me the opportunity to play against some high competition and it also improved my defense."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "One specific part of my game I focused on was my shot-creating ability. I feel like I've made the most progress on my ball handling."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "I am playing football this fall, but I'm also getting myself ready for the season by continuing to develop my game in the early mornings and after football practice."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "Individually, my goals are to be All-State and take on more responsibility as a leader. As a team, our goal is to win all of our regular season games, make it to the State Tournament, and make a run at the State Championship."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "An influential coach I had was my jr high coach, Hoss Rave. What made him memorable was that he loved the game of basketball as I did. He believed in me and pushed me to get better."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate…Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "I want to give a shoutout to my two teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2826439' first='Jesse' last='Carlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2827866' first='Okte' last='Spotted Eagle']."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "My favorite player to watch has always been Stephen Curry because of his shooting skills."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "I feel like my game has grown the most in scoring from all 3 levels."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "My high school coach and my parents push me the hardest."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "A go-to move I like to use in the in-n-out because there are different combinations you can add to it."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "My off-season was very busy but successful, from traveling to MN every Tuesday & Thursday to having tourneys every weekend. But not many people see the early mornings and all the sessions a day. Especially attending a lot of big camps and tournaments, like the Kyrie circuit, to EYBL+Made Hoops."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "The most I wanted to improve on is my attacking the rim at a high level, because I know I already have a outside shot. So I think that's what I really improved on."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "No other sports, just basketball, lifting & cardio every morning and after school."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My goal is the avg more than 19ppg and as a team goal is to make a State appearance."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "A couple of coaches/trainers are Coach Brandon from Sizzle in MN & Coach TJ from [program_tooltip program_id='2838522' first='Venoms' last=''] in Rapid City. From having out-of-state tournaments to having early morning training and workouts. Not only are they teaching me lessons and skills on the court, but they are most definitely teaching me skills off the court."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "After transferring to Lower Brule HS, I say keep an eye out for my brother [player_tooltip player_id='2849812' first='Quentin' last='HisLaw']. Only an 8th grader with high potential."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "College would have to be Tahaad Pettiford, who shows straight toughness and effort on defense. NBA is Kyrie, just a straight dog with crazy handles."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "My game definitely grew with my shot-making ability from inside the point to outside threes."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "I say my dad pushes me the hardest, from the after-game talks to outside workouts."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "My hot spot is definitely top key three, & go-to move is hesi cross over to a mid-range shot."     PHD: Walk me through your off-season. What did you do to improve your basketball game?   "This offseason the thing I focused on the most was the weight room. I know that for this upcoming year I had to get stronger to be able to compete with opponents that are a lot bigger than me."   PHD: What's one specific part of your game you focused on improving this offseason, and where do you feel like you've made the most progress?   "The thing I improved on the most was defense. During AAU, when we went down to these bigger cities such as Atlanta, I had to learn how to guard kids that were taller than me and sometimes 30-40 pounds heavier than me. Getting used to that and staying consistently in the weight room has helped a lot."   PHD: What does your fall look like right now? Are you playing another sport, or is it all basketball focused?   "This fall, it has been all basketball. I quit other sports like football a couple of years ago to just focus on one sport. I have been doing lessons with my trainer twice a week, and I am just starting physical therapy to help with recovery and injury prevention, so I can stay healthy up to basketball season."   PHD: What are your goals for the coming season, both individually and for your team?   "My personal goal this season is to make JV/Varsity and prove that I can make an impact on whatever team I am on this year, which is what I have been training for all summer. As a team, I want to see Sheyenne make a good run in EDC and State."   PHD: Can you give some insight on an influential coach you have had? What made them memorable?   "The coach who has made the biggest impact on me over the last couple of years was Logan Schaubert, who was my AAU coach for 2 years at Sanford Sports Academy. He held me to a very high standard. For example, if I had a lazy play or gave up easy buckets, he would make sure to get on me for those things. It helped me get into a better mindset that every play matters, for sure that now that the competition is heavily improving. To this day, he is always there for me when I need advice."   PHD: Time to give a shout to a teammate...Who do we need to know about from your high school team?   "I have played with many players from my high school and to be honest it is really hard to pick one. I played with [player_tooltip player_id='2489407' first='Cole' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2447406' first='Zy' last='Messmer'] during AAU. They are both very skilled guards that love to go out there and play hard. Whatever you need them to do, they will go do it. Another player I haven't played with in a couple years is [player_tooltip player_id='2840998' first='AJ' last='McDonagh']. He is very physical and crashes the boards hard and has a great nose for the ball. But I am excited to play with all of my teammates and compete as hard as we can."   PHD: Who is your favorite player to watch in college or the NBA, and why?   "There are quite a few players I model my game after, but my favorite player to watch is Anthony Edwards. He is always the most competitive player on the floor; he cheers on his teammates even when he isn't playing well and he seems like he is always having a good time on the court which is very important."   PHD: Where do you feel like your game has grown the most in the past year or two?   "Truthfully, I used to rely on the 3-point line/shooting the ball, but these last two years I have improved my post-game and attacking from the perimeter, which had made me more of an overall 3 level player. The other thing I feel like has also improved is my passing/basketball IQ and being able to find open teammates."   PHD: Who pushes you the hardest, whether that's a teammate, a coach, or someone you train with?   "The person that pushes me the hardest is my dad. Because he played college basketball, he knows what it's like to put in the long days and weekends and to make sacrifices, even when you want to do other things. But getting in the gym is the main priority. The thing he does the best is telling me what I'm doing wrong and what I need to improve on, but also gives me praise when I do something well that we have been working on. It's a good balance of criticizing me and encouragement."   PHD: Where is your hot spot on the floor or can you tell us about a "go-to" move you like to use?   "I didn't know we were asking about the secret stuff! But if I had to say my favorite spot on the floor is the mid-post. There are so many things you can do out of it, whether it's a turnaround jumper, baby hook, facing up and taking someone off the dribble, or finding an open teammate. I just think for someone my size, it's one of the most versatile spots on the floor."

As we get closer to another basketball season, @DaksHoops is taking you beyond the hardwood to get to know some of the talented ballers from across North Dakota and South Dakota. In this series, we sit down with players from around the Dakotas and give them a chance to talk about their game, their journey, and the people and things that make them who they are.