2023 Prospect Rankings: The Top New Additions

<p>What new headlining names did we add to the list this week that we didn’t have last fall?  Here are ten quality prospects. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Five</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1204807" first="Aiden" last="Jensen"] of Madison/Pentagon Schoolers (6’8).  Aiden is more versatile four than he is a low post five, he’s a big that has strength but also a great athletic feel so he can be used differently on defense than a straight five man. Good rebounder and can defend with versatility.  You will likely know him as a quarterback prospect of the future but Aiden also has good potential as a hooper too. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227942" first="Jacob" last="Vandeweerd"] of Canton/Pentagon Schoolers (6’6). At a listed 240 pounds Jacob is immovable around the basket but I was also impressed with how well he moved his feet off of screens.  His timing is quality in contest shots and especially on the defensive glass.  Jacob clears the defensive glass and gets the transition going exceptionally well. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227919" first="Brady" last="Jordan"] of Clark/Willow Lake (6’0).  There were only two underclassmen that were named all conference in the NEC this year and Brady was one of them ([player_tooltip player_id="963744" first="Oliver" last="Vincent"] the other).  Jordan’s mature play both ways helped his team win 14 games this winter plus get prepared for a bright future. A three point shooting threat that must be located. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227920" first="Gavin" last="Thigh"] of Lower Brule/Sacred Hoops Jack (5’9).  One of the more enjoyable things to watch this winter was a [player_tooltip player_id="1227920" first="Gavin" last="Thigh"] basket attack.  Thigh is so tough to keep in front and that quickness and fearlessness going to the cup are highly respected but also fun to watch.  Thigh was a key piece to a balanced team that won 17 games and earned a spot at state. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1185523" first="Ethan" last="Koltz"] of Sioux Falls Jefferson/Pentagon Schoolers Maschino (6’9).  When it comes to prospects everybody is looking for size.  Colleges are looking for size, AAU teams are looking for size to match-up with size that other states have, and here at Prep Hoops knowing that college coaches and AAU coaches are looking for size, we have our eye on size as well.  One to watch is [player_tooltip player_id="1185523" first="Ethan" last="Koltz"] at 6’8/6’9. He played on the Roosevelt B-team this year and will be at Jefferson next year.  There have been some good things said about his team with Schoolers Maschino as well.  Ethan is about a 205 pound frontcourt player. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Five More</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227935" first="Gage" last="Gasca"] of Sioux Falls Washington/South Dakota Attack (6’6)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227964" first="Slade" last="Cournoyer"] of Winner/Sacred Hoops Herther (6’1)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1172904" first="Zharic" last="Sheppard"] of Sioux Falls Washington/Sacred Hoops Walker (6’4)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227976" first="Josiah" last="Cottier"] of Marty/Sacred Hoops McGhee (5’11)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227943" first="Luke" last="Randall"] of Dell Rapids/Pentagon Schools Maschino (6’4)</p>