Sweet 16: Top Forwards in the Dakotas

We are looking at forwards from both ND and SD in this article. We have 8 from the North and 8 from the South. All of these players are receiving interest from college coaches and they all have the talent to play at the next level. In 2021 a forward can mean many things, come in many sizes, and look very different from one another. Let's have a look at the Sweet 16 from the Dakotas... <pre>**For the purpose of this article "5’s" or "center’s" are considered forwards. "3’s" or "wing’s" are considered guards and are not used in this article.</pre> <h3>Alphabetically, the SWEET-16 FORWARDS from ND & SD:</h3> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Angok1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241016" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Angok1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 6’7 F Angok Akot || Sioux Falls Washington || Sacred Hoops || 2022 Why? Unbelievably high ceiling, very long and moves extremely well, has handles, quick around the basket, a scary mismatch for most, a very intriguing prospect. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Caden-Hinker5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Caden-Hinker5-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> 6’7 F [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] || Mitchell || SD Attack || 2022 Why? Attracting and receiving major interest from D1 schools and multiple D2 offers, an elite scorer, a winner, an all-around game, a walking mismatch, a never-ending motor, scores from all 3-levels, gets it done on both ends of the court. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/72CalebHiatt.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077294" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/72CalebHiatt-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 6’5 PF [player_tooltip player_id="812198" first="Caleb" last="Hiatt"] || Sioux Falls Lincoln || Sacred Hoops || 2022 Why? A student on the game, high bball IQ, great feet on defense, possess excellent go-to and counter moves, patient in the post, precision passer from the block, very effective at attacking the basket off the bounce. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/80CameronJackson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077300" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/80CameronJackson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 6’8 C [player_tooltip player_id="968163" first="Cameron" last="Jackson"] || Sioux Falls Lincoln || SD Network || 2022 Why? His jump-hook over either shoulder is lethal, a lefty post that is tricky to guard, top-notch rebounder and rim-protector, can out-muscle players on the block, uses his body well. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Carter-Zeller.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224501" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Carter-Zeller-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> 6’5 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1144600" first="Carter" last="Zeller"] || Fargo North || ECI || 2024 Why? Stood out as a freshman in the EDC, a man amongst boys when playing in his own age group, tremendously physical and strong, plays fearlessly, dominated in AAU, impressive shot fakes and patience, gets to the FT-line often. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Connerkraft-crop-1170x769-1627567292.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1253310" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Connerkraft-crop-1170x769-1627567292-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> 6’7 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1128188" first="Conner" last="Kraft"] || Fargo Shanley || Howard Pulley || 2023 Why? Receiving D1 interest from all over the country, long arms, powerful 2-handed dunker, becoming a real threat with his jumper, great first step that covers a ton of ground, gets up and down the floor quickly, outstanding on O-glass. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Gus-Hurlburt.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1239095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Gus-Hurlburt-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> 6’9 PF [player_tooltip player_id="812220" first="Gus" last="Hurlburt"] || Enderlin || D1 Minnesota || 2022 Why? Crushing it all summer long in AAU hoops and HS events, beyond intelligent, team player, can score at all levels, great cutter, unselfish, multitalented finisher, receiving D1 interest. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/joehurlburt-crop-1232x809-1615268367.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1146959" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/joehurlburt-crop-1232x809-1615268367-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> 6’10 PF [player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] || Enderlin || D1 Minnesota || 2022 Why? Committed to University of Colorado, ND 2021 Gatorade Player of The Year, soon to be All-Time ND career rebounder, skills like a guard with a body like a BIG, athletic and smart, will be a stretch-4 in PAC-12. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/JT-Rock-crop-3024x1986-1626282909.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1236839" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/JT-Rock-crop-3024x1986-1626282909-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> 6’11 C JT Rock || Sioux Falls Lincoln || SD Attack || 2024 Why? Has an offer from South Dakota State, a tower of a player, moves well with good feet and hands, ultra-soft touch, improving every day, shooting range continues to improve, alters shots, he has Power 5 potential. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1253228" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/mors-crop-900x591-1627528844-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’5 SF [player_tooltip player_id="963743" first="Michael" last="Mors"] || Yankton || 2023 Why? He has a nice stroke from 3 with a high release, long wingspan, active hands on defense that force turnovers, good feet around the basket, ultra-skilled, double-double guy, has basketball in his blood. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/nickCARLSON-crop-1124x739-1626745833.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1240525" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/nickCARLSON-crop-1124x739-1626745833-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> 6’5 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1161460" first="Nick" last="Carlson"] || West Fargo || ECI || 2022 Why? His long arms make him seem much bigger than 6'5, aggressive rebounder and an active shot blocker, has looked great and improved a ton this spring/summer, ability to hit outside shot with a variety of finishing moves in lane. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1253231" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/ryanerickson-crop-1125x739-1627528979-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’8 C [player_tooltip player_id="1050245" first="Ryan" last="Erikson"] || Bismarck Century || ND Phenom || 2023 Why? A big strong post, old school back to the basket moves, great baby-hook, double-double producer, a stout physical player, receiving NSIC and Mid-Major interest. 6’8 C Sellyck McManus || Chamberlain || 2022 Why? Excellent O-rebounder, large framed big man with extra muscle, screens/pins/seals spectacularly, great feet especially laterally, patient on defense by not jumping for every shot fake, a beast in the paint. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tash-Lunday.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241269" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tash-Lunday-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 6’5 PF [player_tooltip player_id="812206" first="Tash" last="Lunday"] || Flandreau || Sacred Hoops || 2022 Why? An expert passer for a big man, efficient finisher through contact, awesome footwork, deadly in the pick-n-roll game with pops or rolls, great leader, extremely coachable, hard-working/accountable, a coach's dream. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Treysen-Eaglestaff.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224806" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Treysen-Eaglestaff-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> 6’5 SF [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"] || Bismarck || D1 Minnesota || 2022 Why? University of North Dakota commit, a basketball savant, his jumper is a work of art, gym rat, streetball handles with veteran moves, great eyes, and passing ability, poetry in motion when playing hoops. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1253304" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/albers-crop-1125x739-1627566814-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’5 F [player_tooltip player_id="1046353" first="Zander" last="Albers"] || Bismarck Legacy || ND Phenom || 2022 Why? Division 1 level athlete, super bouncy, can go vertical and alter shots without fouling, reliable jump shot, consistent rebounder, above the rim finisher.