Fall Exclusive Week 1: Rising young stars to watch
How young is too young to start seriously evaluating basketball players? That’s a question we always wrestle with, and one that never seems to draw a consensus. We continue to stick with our philosophy of waiting until kids are about…
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Continue ReadingHow young is too young to start seriously evaluating basketball players? That’s a question we always wrestle with, and one that never seems to draw a consensus. We continue to stick with our philosophy of waiting until kids are about to enter high school before making any bold predictions or putting them in ranked order. When the Minnesota Fall Exclusive presented by Prep Girls Hoops and Jr All Star opened on Friday night in Bloomington, however, it became clear once again that talent is obvious well before players reach their freshman year and there are plenty of talented youngsters to see in this league format.
The first-year event began at 5:30 at Kennedy High School with three games in the NCAA Division, which features players currently in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Most (with a couple of exceptions) have yet to set foot in a high school basketball game. Many will do so for the first time this winter, but a good portion of the 40+ players who competed will also go on to play in college.
Our intent in this recap was to identify five rising young stars you should keep an eye on going forward. Listed below, however, you’ll find just four names. That’s because 7th grader Tori Oehrlein Tori Oehrlein 5'10" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN of Crosby-Ironton was so good on Friday night that she launched herself into our list of top overall performers regardless of class. Here are the other four.
Ella Kuhlman Ella Kuhlman 5'8" | PG North Branch | 2025 State MN – 2025, North Branch (Stanford)
We mentioned that most of the players in the NCAA Division have yet to set foot in a high school game. Ella is not most players. Kuhlman is already a varsity regular at North Branch where she will no doubt be the centerpiece of a rebuilding Vikings program. And why not. The 5’7 guard is super skilled with great handles, very light feet, a sound understanding of the game and a confident, athletic demeanor that makes it obvious she is going to be a player. She is also a coach’s kid which is a bonus. Kuhlman is a member of the top Minnesota Fury 2025 squad. She is listed on the Stanford roster for the Fall Experience but played for UCONN Friday night to bolster a short bench.
Rae Ehrman – 2025, Eden Prairie (South Carolina)
As if Eden Prairie High School coach Ellen Wiese doesn’t already have enough prime-time talent at her disposal, the Eagles have yet another good one in the pipeline in Ehrman. The 5’9 forward is strong and physical, plays the game with an edge, and has a high-level skill set, as well. That is a potent combination. Ehrman executed one of the most impressive sequences of the night Friday when she drove hard to the paint, bumped emphatically off her defender and pulled off a sweet 360-degree spin move with a soft finish inside. That’s the kind of big time move you’d expect from a top prospect and Rae delivered. Her rebounding was equally good. Rae played this summer for Jeff Monahan’s top North Tartan 2025s. She’s playing for South Carolina in the Fall Exclusive.
Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 5'11" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN – 2025, Maple Grove (Stanford)
Ode was also a member of that North Tartan team this summer but in 2021 you’ll find her wearing the blue and yellow of the Minnesota Fury. That’s a great pickup for the club because Ode is no doubt going to be one of the best players in the class of 2025. At 5’10, Jordan is very long and lean with big strides, light feet and the kind of natural athleticism that all great players possess. The 8th grader is poised beyond her years and has a calm, confident air about her. We are bullish on Ode’s stock and believe she is a can’t-miss prospect. But it’s early, or at least that’s what we keep telling ourselves.
Kendra Overskei – 2025, Maple Grove (Baylor)
Ode wasn’t the only long, lean forward from Maple Grove who stood out on Friday night. The same held true for 5’10 Kendra Overskei, another 2025 prospect to watch. She is the younger sister of 2022 forward Kyla Overskei Kyla Overskei 5'11" | SG Maple Grove | 2022 State MN , who was one of our breakout players of the summer with the Fury. Kendra may be a touch quicker than her sibling, and perhaps a little more athletic, too, but after having a big growth spurt in the last 12 months it’s probably going to be a little while before it all comes together. My money’s still on Kyla in driveway ball but Kendra’s got some really big upside long-term. Her Baylor squad scored a two-point win over Maryland in their first game Friday before falling to Oregon in the nightcap.
Top photo: Ella Kuhlman Ella Kuhlman 5'8" | PG North Branch | 2025 State MN of North Branch (left) and Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 5'11" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN of Maple Grove (right) are two of the premier players in the class of 2025.