South Dakota 2028 Rankings: Stock-Risers

The recent South Dakota 2028 rankings update was an exciting one. We had some Freshman have breakout Freshman campaigns in 2024-2025. Let's check in on some of them.    Zak had a blow-up state A tournament as a starting guard for Groton Area. I'm still not sure if I'm over his dunk he put on film at the tournament. Got out in transition, skying up with two hands, easily clearing the rim for a two-handed flush, swinging on the rim to cap it off. He played confidently for a young guard. I'm hoping he grows a few more inches.     I didn't foresee Mitch climbing the board this high so early. But here we are, and Mitch has turned himself into a top athlete in this class. He's known to be a guard that is a shot-blocker and ferocious, elite moving defender. I vaguely remember him having a four or five block game. He's a hustler and flies around on the court. Combine that with elite movement and athleticism, Grant then in turn, creates plays and impacts the game on both ends. I think he can take even another step at the AA varsity level.     Tanner, I misplaced on the board in the first rankings update. He's kind of blocked from being a varsity contributor by the upperclassmen talent above him on West Central. He has three Bigs to try to supplant for notable playing time, but I think next season they can throw him out on the court and develop, without losing a step. He's a workhorse competitor that is showing surprising versatility.     I think Nielsen should be higher up the board after reviewing more film. It all starts out with his length and ability to run the floor quickly and hard from rim to rim. He actually runs the court at a rare level, and to get things more clear, he may be the fastest 6'7+ prospect in the state. An active interior defender and is an effective ball-screen defender with his lateral agility. Fights for the ball off the rim.     The 6'2” guard out of Rapid City Central is quickly gaining length from when I saw him last at Prep Hoops Next Stomping Grounds in Sioux Falls. With his increased length, his frame is looking more athletic and built for agility on the court. A confidence and swag to his offensive game, and the skill to match.     In the debut of the 2028 rankings, Carlbom was very raw and in the early stages of offensive development. I watched him recently with Wall's JV team, and he seems to be coming along. He hasn't made massive progress with his ball skills, but his coordination in his movement looks improved. He's also looking quicker laterally, and his ability to get up and jump looks quicker and can reach a higher point. Great upside with his lengthy arms and athletic profile. [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] also sees a boatload of potential in him, because Chase will be playing up a year on their 16U-2 roster.     I saw Holscher live towards the end of the season versus Webster Area, and he's getting much stronger and filling out his frame with some mass. He's a varsity rotation guy already and is known for his impressive vertical to go with his length. Would like to see him hit 6'7”. That would do much good for his stock.

The recent South Dakota 2028 rankings update was an exciting one. We had some Freshman have breakout Freshman campaigns in 2024-2025. Let's check in on some of them.