Mr. Bruns was a difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball. He consistently filled up the basket throughout the weekend. Aaron is a knockdown shooter and a playmaker with the ball.

Any time a Bruns from DV steps on the court, basketball fans should pay attention. This spring, he’s playing with a lot of confidence and has shown the ability to completely heat up offensively. While he can be streaky at times, when Aaron gets rolling, he can absolutely shoot the lights out. What stands out most is how effortless his offensive game looks. He gets to his mid-range jumper with ease, finishes well with either hand, and always seems to make teams pay when left open. Defensively, Aaron does a great job keeping the ball in front despite a smaller frame, competing hard and holding his own on that end of the floor. He’s a skilled, tough, and entertaining player who is definitely one to watch this weekend.

At the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, few players made a bigger impression than this rising talent. From the opening tip, Bruns showed a complete blend of scoring, playmaking, and high-IQ basketball that separated him from the pack.

Offensively, Aaron’s quick first step was a problem for defenders all day, allowing him to get downhill, create separation, and finish with a soft touch. He scored effectively in transition, running the floor hard and converting opportunities with both hands, including some crafty lefty finishes. His mid-range game was beautiful to watch—silky smooth, consistent, and described as “soft as falling snow.” On top of that, he established himself as one of the top shooters at the entire event, drilling catch-and-shoot threes from multiple spots on the floor and showing deep, confident range. Bruns knocked down tough pull-ups, catch-and-shoot looks, and confidently stepped to the line to sink free throws.

What elevated his performance even further was his unselfishness and vision. Time and time again, Bruns found teammates with accurate assists—swing passes, drive-and-kicks, and slick touch passes in transition. He constantly made the extra pass, setting up buckets for Schlimgen, Buchholz, Kerzmann, and others, proving he could both score in bunches and elevate everyone around him.

Defensively, Aaron made smart reads, jumping a passing lane near halfcourt and tipping away another post entry to spark turnovers. His instincts and hustle carried over to both ends, and he never seemed to take a play off.

Overall, his combination of polish scoring, elite shooting ability, playmaking feel, and high basketball IQ made him one of PHD’s favorite players from the event. He showed the kind of all-around game that makes others better and wisn game—someone who can score in multiple ways, create for others, and impact the game with savvy decision-making.

#608

-Extra pass assist to Schlimgen for a triple

-Impressive first step

-Ran the court hard, fluid catch & score in transtion

-Left baseline catch, 2 dribbles going to his right, drilled a John Stockton middy

-Has a beautiful mid-range game, his jumper is as soft as falling snow

-Smart play to come up and pick off a pass at halfcourt

-Transition lefty score, ran floor well, opportunistic

-Swing assist to Buchholz who scored with a floater

-Another transition bucket, nice finish at the cup

-Fouled at the end of 1st half on a jump shot, stepped up & hit the FT

-Drive & kick assist to Kerzmann

-Space & shoot triple from the left corner, cash

-Push ahead assist in transition, nice touch pass

-Lefty fake cross to freeze D, southpaw score at the iron

-Catch & shoot 3 from the top of the key, money ball

-Transition score, he is racking up the points in this one

-Touch pass assist to Kerzmann for a transition score

-Pick & pop assist, hit Kvistero for the triple

-Tipped post entry pass, forced a turnover

Quick and very accurate shot from 3

Excellent handles with a smooth confident aura – Doesn’t get rattled

Top on ball defender of the day – maybe both classes

3 level scorer and finds his spots like a seasoned vet

I was really impressed with Aaron’s play in a recent tournament in Sioux Falls. He’s very quick and really controls the basketball well on the bounce. He was making reads and passes you’d expect to see seniors making with ease. He already understands that paint touches matter from the point guard position, as most of the time he touched the ball he got the middle. Bruns’ best game might be his defense. He’s lock down on the ball.

Bruns played varsity for Dakota Valley. His game is based off his rare quickness and suddenness. He can handle it at speed and can shoot the rock. Crazy amount of shiftiness with the ball. If he has a couple nice growth spurts, he could become a major prospect. Bruns is playing up again this summer with Sanford, playing on the top 15U team.