To say this simple and nicely…. the Tonka young guards, they didn’t move the ball much. When they took jumpers, sometimes it was because the UND committed 6’9 player was in the middle. And when they tried to go one on one with no passes, they were met by several Gaustad blocks (after a mid first half break) and shots missed badly because of the Gaustad contests. Bryce showed us his three point touch and his open floor throw downs, and some post scores, but his low post shot blocking/contesting/just being there was a huge contribution. Down the stretch Bryce made a third three and scored in the post to get to eight field goals.

Bryce Gaustad Bryce Gaustad 6'9" | C/PG Anoka | 2027 State MN is a six-foot-nine-inch 2027 forward/center from Anoka and played with Northstar Titans Stone. Gaustad ended the summer with a slew of D2 offers and had his pick of nearly any school and then North Dakota came in late July and Gaustad committed. Gaustad showed week after week tournament after tournament to be a high volume and efficient scorer and rebounder as the center of an offense on the Prep Hoops Circuit while also doing well to defend the rim against attackers. Gaustad’s face-up game from the elbow where he can shoot it well from beyond the arc or slightly inside the 3-point line, put the ball down and drive a bit, and pass to cutters or open shooters.

Committed: North Dakota

Bryce Gaustad Bryce Gaustad 6'9" | C/PG Anoka | 2027 State MN – The six-foot-nine-inch 2027 Anoka big man grinded all spring and summer for Northstar Titans up front as an interior and perimeter presence on offense and defense. Gaustad is a high level rebounder who grabs double digit boards nearly every contest who has a solid face-up game with extended range. At the Prep Hoops National Championship in Indy to finish the AAU year in front of North Dakota head coach Gaustad put up games of 18 points and 15 rebounds, 11 points and 15 boards with 6 blocks and an 18 point, 12 rebound and 3 block game.

Offers: North Dakota, University of Sioux Falls, Concordia St. Paul, Northern State, Winona State, Michigan Tech, St. Cloud State

The D1 offered and future big man was one of the top points per game and rebounding leaders in all of Minnesota. Bryce wasn’t just consistent, he was a late game clutch scorer both in the paint and at the arc. His three made over Sambrew to send the game into overtime was one of the biggest plays of the summer. Elite level of skill that will fit well in the Summit.

Bryce had a fantastic month of production that started at the tail end of June and then continued to July in a pair of Prep Hoops events. Jamestown, Northern State, Concordia-St Paul, St Cloud State, Michigan Tech and Sioux Falls watching him often. They were joined by North Dakota State and then North Dakota in July and UND offered Gaustad yesterday.

Bryce showcased his impressive skillset at 6’8-6’9 over the weekend. His ability to handle out on the perimeter, take opposing bigs off the dribble, and run the break on his own is something you don’t often see in players his size. There isn’t much Bryce can’t do, as he can score inside or out, has impressive post footwork, pulls in rebounds in bulk, and has the vision to distribute out of the block. He helped lead his Northstar Titans team to the semi-finals in the 17u bracket.

One of the top players in the state of Minnesota put on a fundamental clinic in front of me on Saturday at the Prep Hoops National Open Championship. Bryce Gaustad is a 6’9” Point Forward type that showed his ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Relentless rebounder. Pure inside-out skill set that makes him dangerous when he’s not scoring the ball. Showed the ability to play the pick and roll with good court vision and on time on target passes to open shooters. Not the most athletic big man but elite footwork and feel for the game was extremely impressive for a player his size.