The Expo: Noteworthy Ballers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">#PHExpoDAK</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Expo took place on October 3rd at the Impact Sports Center in Sioux Falls, bringing together talented players from across North Dakota and South Dakota. The gym was full of intriguing prospects looking to compete, showcase their skills, and make their presence felt against quality competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the action has wrapped up, it's time to reflect on some of the ballers who stood out and put together noteworthy performances. From players who showed off their scoring ability to those who made an impact with their athleticism, versatility, and all-around game, there was plenty of talent on display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we're taking a closer look at <strong>some of the noteworthy ballers from The Expo</strong> and highlighting what caught our attention. These are players who made an impression and gave us plenty to be excited about as we look ahead to the upcoming basketball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3642351,"width":"257px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.521973166224793","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes-crop-823x540-1774382521-crop-800x525-1779122312.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PlayerNotes-crop-823x540-1774382521-crop-800x525-1779122312.jpg?w=799" alt="" class="wp-image-3642351" style="aspect-ratio:1.521973166224793;width:257px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3786719,"width":"273px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/image.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3786719" style="width:273px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Noteworthy Ballers</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2452811"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac288360ce3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Has a shooters/scorers mentality</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Not afraid to let it fly, shoots with confidence </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Banged home a deep 3-pointer in the 3on3 games, showing off the range </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-In 5on5, looked good cashing in a contested triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Used body to protect the ball and score in transtion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Catch &amp; shoot 3-pointer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2443452"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac27aea146c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Easily one of the top athletes at the event</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Leady guard, great at creating separation, accurate passer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a dirty step-back move, pulled the trigger &amp; cashed the triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Racked up the steals, great anticipation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-SUPERSTAR athlete, all over the place</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Snagged an O-board, quick putback bucket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Delivered on-point, timely, and accurate passes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tight handles, draws help and finds the open man</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tough slasher, puts pressure on the defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2545009"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac2a75cf17d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Caught my eye early with a catch &amp; shoot jumper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has a butter-smooth release</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sweet slash &amp; score, great finish </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Used his length to score over the defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Impressed with him in the pick &amp; roll game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Had some excellent dimes out of PNR situations</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Smart about using his size to get shots off vs. smaller guards/defenders</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Knocked down open shots throughout the day, did not force, took what the D gave him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3591864"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac2bca898eef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Long wing playmaker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has a sharp skill-set and natural playmaking ability</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Effective in the catch &amp; shoot game from beyond the arc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Burned the D on the way to the rim, slash &amp; score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Elevated well and finished in congestion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed his athleticism with a DUNK in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Runs the floor well, sweet score in transition</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nasty diagonal drive across the paint, silky smooth finish at the cup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Nailed a triple from deep via space &amp; shoot, fluid stroke</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed that he is a certified scorer from multiple levels/layers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2545286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac2b3b5ab0e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Has a slim build and is undersized, but he is skilled</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Scored the ball in a variety of ways, innovative &amp; opportunistic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked better as the day went on, made impressive plays in the 2nd half of the event</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has a nice-looking shot from beyond the arc and he connected multiple times</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sneaky offensive rebound, tip-in score</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has the skill, handles, and shooting to put up legit numbers in Class B this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856922"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac2b3b5ab179"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Caught my attention right away in warm-ups with his hops, he can play at the rim</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Looks to be a dangerous offensive player</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has eye-catching hops, bouncy, excellent elevation </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Skilled, he got game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked good early shooting the ball in 3on3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Swished a triple, made it look easy, effortless shot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Looked outstanding knifing to the basket, beat a ton of defenders off the bounce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Smooth finisher, has an impressive finishing package</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Intrigued with his handles, has top-notch moves</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-VERY very impressed with his finishing in traffic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Grabbed many offensive boards, credit to his reactions &amp; mobility</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sharp cut off the ball, sick finish in heavy traffic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Many more athletic drives &amp; slashes for buckets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showing off his bounce &amp; leaping ability</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Kept the defense honest &amp; hit a triple</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Pesky on-ball defense, caused all kinds of problems</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2545288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac29dda6334d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-This kid is a sniper, new nickname proposal: "White River Rifle" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Shot looked very good in 3on3, knocked down multiple 3-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Money from beyond the arc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Aggressive attack, sweet drive &amp; score, soft kiss off the glass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tough kid, strong/muscled-up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hits more three-pointers as the day went on</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Visually pleasing shot, good mechanics </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2392281"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac30a6c53873"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Nielsen had a hot hand on Saturday!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Filled it up from beyond the arc, had a game where he hit 4 or 5 triples in a row</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Swished many shots, all net</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Hit shots off the catch &amp; bounce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I liked the looks of his pull-up game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sneaky steal score in press defense, opportunistic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Showed a quality floater/runner and a soft release/touch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2480867"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac2a01492bca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Showed his craftiness and creativity when hitting a fall-away jumper from the elbow, tough shot to stop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Has an impressive skill-set and a great feel for the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Soft-touch on his jumper, swish</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drained several 3-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Drive &amp; finished, awesome body control when finishing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No problem finishing with a hand in his face</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Never looks frustrated, confident</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-He really started to heat up later in the event and put on an offensive display, showing off how potent his offensive game can be</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Proved that he is a bucket-getter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3786722,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/image_ad893e.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/image_ad893e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-3786722" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->