Top 10 Prospects – Dakotas Elite
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This one is for the Division 1 coaches seeking top prospects and for those that appreciate and respect top talent. This exercise will rank the top prospects in the 2023-2026 classes in both North Dakota and South Dakota. I didn’t…
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Continue ReadingThis one is for the Division 1 coaches seeking top prospects and for those that appreciate and respect top talent. This exercise will rank the top prospects in the 2023-2026 classes in both North Dakota and South Dakota. I didn’t try to overthink any of this. Let’s roll with it.
#1 Logan Nissley Logan Nissley 6'0" | CG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND – 6’0 G 2023 – Bismarck Century – North Tartan 17U Nike EYBL – Nebraska – Logan is everything you seek in a prospect. Good size at the guard spot, with an insane three-point game. Best female shooter I’ve seen at the high school level in the 3-6 years I’ve been acquainted with high school girls basketball in the Dakotas. She chose Nebraska to play her college ball, and I see her as an early contributor.
#2 Leelee Bell Leelee Bell 6'0" | SF Minot | 2026 State ND – 6’0 G 2026 – Minot – Minnesota Stars 8th Hill – Lee Lee brings a ton of excitement to the future of basketball in the Dakotas. She’s a 6’0 2026 with rare ability with the ball. She’s taller than her AAU competition at her level and has the most refined skill-set. Not a twitchy athlete but that could change in a couple years.
#3 McKenna Johnson McKenna Johnson 6'2" | PF Mandan | 2025 State ND – 6’2 F/C 2025 – Mandan – North Tartan 15U Nike EYBL – McKenna now gets the F/C moniker because she’s playing away from the hoop more with North Tartan this offseason. If she can develop a consistent three-point game, she will be tough to handle for teams.
#4 Katie Vasecka Katie Vasecka 6'2" | CG Tea Area | 2024 State SD – 6’2 G 2024 – Tea Area – SD Attack 16U – South Dakota State – A 6’2 guard…there I can stop now. Committed to SDSU and she has a rare length and skill combination. An elite passer and first-step.
#5 Ashlyn Koupal Ashlyn Koupal 6'3" | SG Wagner | 2026 State SD – 6’0 G 2026 – Wagner – SD Attack 14U – Ashlyn’s confidence and aggressiveness shooting the ball in the state tournament shows she’s not afraid of some pressure and invites the big stage. A lengthy 6’0 2026 prospect that can put the ball on the floor and hit threes. Has offers from University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. If she can get up to 6’2, things can get exciting.
#6 Bergan Kinnebrew Bergan Kinnebrew 5'11" | CG Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND – 5’11 G 2023 – Bismarck Century – Impact Basketball – Bergan’s stock has been blowing up. 17.8 ppg. at a 48% fg%. She’s super-shifty and skilled with the ball. A dynamic guard with the ball. I have a prediction Century gets revenge and wins the ship this year — after falling to Minot.
#7 Reese Ross Reese Ross 6'1" | SF St. Thomas More | 2023 State SD – 6’0 G/F 2023 – St. Thomas More – North Tartan 17U EYBL – UTAH – The South Dakota class A state champion might be taking over the #1 spot in the South Dakota 2023 class. Such a stud athlete with a super-high ceiling. She’s been a regular at the Dakotas Top 250 EXPO and always puts on a display of athleticism.
#8 Miriley Simon Miriley Simon 6'1" | C West Fargo | 2023 State ND – 6’1 C 2023 – West Fargo – Impact Basketball – North Dakota State University – Miriley is a true post and much more. Super skilled as a scorer from mid-range and beyond. Averaged a whopping 22.5 ppg. and 12.3 rpg. That’s getting it done.
#9 Hilary Behrens Hilary Behrens 6'1" | SG Brandon Valley | 2023 State SD – 6’1 G 2023 – Brandon Valley – SD Network 17U – South Dakota State University – Hilary just seems like she has intangibles through the roof. Along with a long frame, skill, and scoring ability. SDSU got her signature.
#10 Maggie Fricke Maggie Fricke 5'7" | PG Minot | 2025 ND – 5’7 PG 2026 – Minot – Minnesota Stars 8th Hill – Maggie cannot be left off a list when it comes to a top 10 ranking. I just can’t let that happen. She’s going to end up having a storied career and just put in 15.8 ppg. as an 8th-grader in the WDA. She plays tough and will be aggressive scoring and shooting. Pump-fake game. State Champion in Class A.