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.

Bryce Gaustad was a constant force in the paint against the Quad Cities Academy. He controlled the defensive zone, secured rebounds, contested shots, and shut down drives. In the offensive zone, Gaustad stepped through double teams to create scoring opportunities and tallied several points on offensive rebounds or tip-ins. Gaustad also showed versatility in his game, demonstrating a willingness to score at all levels and flashing ball-handling skills to make driving plays from the top of the three-point line.

It doesn’t matter who he’s matched up against, Bryce just finds ways to produce. He’s arguably the most skilled big man in the state, and it shows with his ability to break guys down off the dribble, or go to work with impressive footwork out of the block. Throughout the weekend Bryce was hitting step-back threes, was driving and spinning to the rim for finishes, and was constantly getting defenders in the air with shot fakes before stepping through for easy lay-ups. One of the most productive 17u players in Minnesota this spring/summer.

Bryce Gaustad Bryce Gaustad 6'9" | C/PG Anoka | 2027 State MN is making a very real push to be a top ten player and prospect in this state and I think he is one hundred percent there. The 6’9 skilled big started off against Fury Goring in a really tough way with missed bunnies and some missed boards. How did Bryce then respond playing in front of over a dozen coaches? With domination.

After missing his first six shots and losing about five boards, Bryce turned things around leading the Titans to a huge win over the second ranked team in the state! Bryce made nine of his last ten attempts including a hotly contested three over Sambrew that sent the game to overtime. It was Bryce’s fourth three of the game on his way to a 27 point, 11 rebound performance. He then hit three threes and scored 25 points to beat the Lightning! A huge day by a top ten area prospect.

Bryce is one of the more skilled posts you will see anyplace in the Midwest and I would 100 percent put the ball in his hands to win a game over every other big in the state.

Bryce was simply getting any shot he wanted against Rise Above. His footwork makes him so tough to stop when isolated on the block, and the high release point with his baby hook allows him to get shots off over length. Bryce handles the ball in a way not many guys can, calmly maneuvering his way to the rim for lay-ups. He’s not just a scorer either as Bryce showcased his impressive vision as a passer. He seems to have eyes in the back of his head when operating on the block, meaning you’re taking a big risk any time you try to double-team him.