SD 2028 Rankings Debut: Top Prospects Evaluations

Prep Hoops Dakotas is back for a deep dive into the South Dakota 2028 class after the rankings/watchlist debut. We launched a top 10, so we'll evaluate them and dive into a few more prospects with intrigue and upside.   While still in the early stages of evaluating the incoming Freshman, the SD 2028 class is one to get excited about if you're a fan or college program searching for next level contributors. The class consists of a stud two-way guard at the top, a prospect that has already reached 6'8”, a long 6'6” Wing that can shoot the lights out, and some serious depth in many fashions. There's depth in the class with more good-sized Bigs, athletic 4's, stud combo guards, long slashing wings, and true point guard prospects. We'll get into it all, but let's first start at the top. We have 15 ballers to mention.    Describing a prospect to have a complete game can be thrown around loosely and too often, but in Strande's case, he's one of the most complete two-way prospects I've seen. Prides himself on the defensive side with a lockdown and shutdown mentality. He tries to completely shut out his matchup with technique, focus, and intensity. This offseason with [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 14U, Strande was matched-up with the toughest defensive assignment and made some really good players look average. Offensively, he's a major weapon as well. A ball-handler, distributor, three-level scorer, and transition weapon. Will attack contact and has a three-ball. The hope is that he grows a couple inches to get to the 6'3” range. I saw a lot of 2028 prospects in the Midwest with Prep Hoops Next and Strande was easily a top 3 prospect I saw all offseason.     Dieleman has elite size as a young prospect. His skills and coordination are coming along and that was evident at the Dakotas Freshman Showcase. He was even playing away from the hoop and showing shooting range from three. He also powered in the paint. If he can be a dual-threat and stretch the floor consistently, we're talking about a legitimate prospect.     Felberg is a legitimate prospect as well. His length and shooting ability are obvious, but his ability to get dirty and defend size in the paint and board the ball at a high level needs to be recognized. A versatile defender that can defend with long arms and affect shooters on the perimeter. He's a high upside wing that needs to tighten some ball skills, but if he hits 6'9” or so, he's going to be taken seriously as a prospect.     Ellwein has good positional size as an off-ball three-point shooter. [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] 14U-Hollenbeck designed a bunch of action to free him up for open, rhythm threes off the catch. Such a smooth and consistent release on his three. Feet look good on the pre-launch and during launch.     Schelske is the most well-developed prospect in this class with 6'6” height and a thick frame. He's physical in the paint and can step out and shoot the ball some as well. He's a prospect that we want to continue to grow taller into a true Big that can control the paint.     Zak is a very gifted two-way guard with his offensive ability most likely getting the most attention. He can score from all over and is a shot-maker and finisher putting the ball on the floor. He can handle the ball and is also a productive 2-guard. He has long arms that he uses well to put ball pressure on his matchup. A highly disruptive defender that is looking for tips, deflections, and steals on the ball. He'll get off the ground to make a play on the ball or make his opponent throw the ball overtop.     Weber is another top-ranked guard out of Groton Area and [program_tooltip program_id='2337876' first='James' last='Valley Thunder']. He looks to be a point guard that has the capabilities to score the ball on his own as well as distribute the ball with a skilled handle and passing game. A very shifty guard that can show some burst and explosiveness with the ball in his hands. Can also hit jumpers and threes, and doesn't need help creating a shot and opportunities.     Wagner is a bull and I think if he grows a little bit taller every year, offers top 3 upside in this class. He has a non-stop motor and plays with a bunch of toughness near the rim. He can also play away from the hoop, with a developing three. Tracks the ball and attacks the ball. Is often seen coming up with the ball and 50/50 rebounds.     Kutey has the most skilled handle on the ball than anyone in this class. He's aggressive, quick, and powerful with his handle. He likes to really pound the ball and make sudden moves at his defender, to break them down by getting to the hoop or create a pull-up jumper. Can continue his dribble with the best of them.     Grant is one of the top overall athletes in the 2028 class. I'd say he's more athletic and a leaper than overly-skilled at this point. But he played well above his competition. He's going to have to continue to grow or work on his skills on the perimeter to hold as a top prospect. He'll be with [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']'s top 15U team next offseason, according to their website.     Carlbom offers upside with his length and experience at the high school level. He's getting moved along, being a JV player already as an eighth-grader. I think he's a little raw, but if he can put together some skill with serious length, then he gets people talking.     Hogan was with [program_tooltip program_id='2337876' first='James' last='Valley Thunder']'s top 14U team, and he's a highly-athletic versatile Big. Moves extremely well and can run the floor at a high level. He has a long and athletic frame at 6'4”. A versatile defender that can defend multiple positions and is not a liability defending away from the hoop. Can really jump and get off the ground to high-point the ball for rebounds. He boxes out and attacks the ball. Brought down a bunch of boards for [program_tooltip program_id='2337876' first='James' last='Valley Thunder'] and was counted on in that category. One of the top prospects in the class in terms of his size/athleticism combination. He could be considered a top 10-15 prospect from what we know at this time. I think he offers some upside.     Cole started varsity for Lyman as an eighth-grader. He plays hard and can play fast and moves well and quickly at size. He battled in the interior as a young prospect against opponents with a few years on him. He has some development yet and needs to continue to grow to be considered a Center/Big prospect. But has all the tools and offers constant activity.     Caden is super intriguing with his elite length. He's a thin-framed wing/forward, that if has a good amount of growth of his skill-set, offers some intrigue with that kind of profile.     I think Christion offers some upside, especially if he can hit a growth spurt. He's already advanced with the ball and his skill-set. Just doesn't have the size or development quite yet, but is one of the top few most skilled with the ball in this class.

Prep Hoops Dakotas is back for a deep dive into the South Dakota 2028 class after the rankings/watchlist debut. We launched a top 10, so we'll evaluate them and dive into a few more prospects with intrigue and upside.