Who are Minnesota’s top collegiate performers?
Gianna Kneepkens got a new vehicle this week – her choice of a shiny pickup truck or SUV for free! The generous gift to each University of Utah women’s basketball player is one of the many jaw-dropping benefits of playing college ball at the high-major level in 2023. Trouble is, Kneepkens already acquired a new set of wheels last week. Unfortunately, a non-motorized mobility scooter wasn’t the new ride she had in mind. In the midst of another fantastic season in college basketball, one of the best players ever to come out of the state of Minnesota suffered a season-ending foot injury.
To say Kneepkens’ junior year was going well would be a gross understatement. The 6-foot guard had the Utes ranked among the nation’s top 10. Averaging 17.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Gianna was once again one of the country’s top shooters firing at a 63% clip from the field and 54% from three-point range. After her first year in college basketball during the 2021-22 campaign – a season in which she was named PAC-12 Freshman of the Year – Kneepkens’ sophomore season was even better. She earned her second all-conference honor and a string of awards and national nominations. Now all of that is on hold.
We set out this week to decipher which Minnesota-raised players are making the most impact in college basketball this season. Our goal was to separate them into all-star teams, and there’s no question that the 3,000-point scorer from Duluth Marshall would be at the top of the list. Since she’s no longer available, we’ll just offer Gianna this opening salute and move on to our selections of Minnesota’s best players who are crushing it in college basketball.
We have chosen three all-star teams along with a list of honorable mentions. With dozens of Minnesotans playing at the Division 1 level it’s impossible to recognize everyone who probably deserves it. Apologies in advance for those who missed out. Hopefully we didn’t forget someone super obvious. So with the preliminaries out of the way, let the debating begin. By the way, players are listed in alphabetical order by last name with their college, high school, graduation year and Prep Girls Hoops ranking when they exited high school.
FIRST TEAM
Mara Braun – Minnesota (Wayzata) 2022 #2
Minnesota is a surprising 10-1 under new coach Dawn Plitzuweit and this week garnered votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. There are a lot of reasons for that but none bigger than Braun, a 5’11 guard who is near the top in the Big 10 in most statistical categories that matter. She has also been the most consistent big bucket getter on the team. Mara is averaging 19.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Paige Bueckers – UConn (Hopkins) 2020 #1
She’s back. After spending last year sidelined by injury, Minnesota’s best college basketball player is working her way to the top once again. UConn is battling a slate of injuries but Paige has helped keep the Huskies in the top 20. She recently passed the 1,000-career points mark, doing it in the same number of games as the great Maya Moore. Paige is averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2 steals per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range.
McKenna Hofschild – Colorado State (Prior Lake), 2019 #6
Hofschild started her career with one frustrating season at Seton Hall. In subsequent years at Colorado State, McKenna has put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Along the way she passed the great Becky Hammon as the Rams’ all-time assists leader while garnering awards and accolades by the bushel. McKenna is averaging a remarkable 22.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.4 steals. She’s also shooting 53% from three!
Lauren Jensen – Creighton (Lakeville North) 2020 #2
After a frustrating freshman year at Iowa, where she was usurped by the remarkable Caitlin Clark, Jensen transferred to Creighton. What a great choice that was. Not only did she eliminate Iowa in the NCAA tournament as sophomore with a shot that echoed through college basketball, she has been an outstanding leader for the top 20 Bluejays while compiling 1,000 career points. Lauren is averaging 17.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field.
Ayoka Lee – Kansas State (Byron) 2018 #4
The 6’6 post from Southern Minnesota is the most dominant center in the country. Period. Full stop. End of story. Last spring Yoki passed up an opportunity to be a top five pick in the WNBA draft to return for a sixth year at K-State where she has fought through two complete rehabilitation seasons. The Wildcats are ranked #12 thanks in large part to Lee. She’s averaging 19.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 65.3%
Alyssa Ustby – North Carolina (Rochester Lourdes) 2020 #3
You’ll note that our first team has six players instead of the usual five. We simply couldn’t leave any of these talented athletes off the list, especially Ustby. She has been the backbone of the top 25 Tar Heels success this season, carrying on a trend we’ve see throughout her career. Alyssa is averaging 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 steals while shooting 43.9% from the field.
SECOND TEAM
Amaya Battle – Minnesota (Hopkins) 2022 #3
Mara Braun may be drawing the majority of the headlines but she wouldn’t be having the success that she is without the work of Battle. Amaya has proven to be one of the most versatile, most consistent and most improved players in the Big 10, the kind of competitor who is delivering night in and night out. Battle is averaging 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 43.5%
Liza Karlen – Marquette (Stillwater) 2020 #6
What a year Liza is having! Throughout her college career, just as she did in high school and AAU, Karlen has been a consistent contributor who has leveraged her superior size and mobility to be an impact player. This year Liza has taken it to a whole other level and the Golden Eagles are in the Top 20 because of it. Karlen is averaging 15.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while finishing at an impressive rate of 57.1%
Adalia McKenzie – Illinois (Park Center) 2021 #1
We always figured Adalia was going to be a standout player at the collegiate level. That’s why she was ranked #1 in the class of 2021 by Prep Girls Hoops. As it sometimes turns out, we were right and McKenzie continues to deliver for the Illini. The super-athletic guard, who was Minnesota’s Ms Basketball in 2021, is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting a stellar 49.3%
Paige Meyer – South Dakota State (Albany) 2021 #9
Paige started off her career at SDSU with a bang, becoming an immediate star in the Summit League. After missing most of a season with a knee injury, the dynamic guard has returned with a vengeance. She’s big, she’s skilled and she’s physical. Meyer also knows how to run a basketball game from the point as well as anyone. Meyer is averaging 16.7 points, 2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 47.9% from the field and 41.2% from three.
Sara Scalia – Indiana (Stillwater) 2019 #2
The long-bomber began her career at Minnesota and was quick to make an impact at the high-major level. After moving several hundred miles east across the Big 10, Scalia has helped Indiana rise to new heights. One of the best pure shooters in the NCAA, Scalia has helped the Hoosiers earn a top 15-ranking this season. She’s averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She shoots 42% from beyond the arc.
THIRD TEAM
Kacie Borowicz – North Dakota (Roseau) 2019 #5
As Kacie goes, so go the Fighting Hawks. Currently sidelined by an ankle injury, Kacie is expected to return soon. Named the Summit League’s Preseason Player of the Year and to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Watch List, the former Minnesota Ms. Basketball has been the be-all, end-all leader at UND since her arrival in 2019. Kacie is averaging 19.3 pts, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 steals.
Mallory Heyer – Minnesota (Chaska) 2022 #4
Way back in her early years in high school, Mallory seldom shot the ball from distance and rarely attacked the basket off the bounce. As a dominant physical presence she simply didn’t have to. Fast-forward to now and the big power forward is doing both of those things exceptionally well at the highest level. Heyer has been nothing short of exceptional for the Gophers, averaging 9.6 points and 8.6 rebounds while making game-changing threes at an impressive clip.
Jenna Johnson – Utah (Wayzata) 2021 #4
Unicorn talent Alissa Pili has continued to dazzle for Utah with her unique set of skills. Minnesota native Gianna Kneepkens has had a remarkable career to date. As a result of their brilliance, the work Johnson has done for the Utes is often overshadowed. In reality, Johnson’s efforts are just as important to Utah’s success. The 6’2 forward has started every game and provided 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while finishing at 53% Against South Carolina on Sunday she took 5 charges!
Ronnie Porter – Wisconsin (Como Park) 2022 #16
Who would have predicted that the smallest player in the Big 10 would rise to prominence like she has. Ronnie started in Madison as a non-scholarship hopeful who walked on to prove a point. Today she is the team’s starting point guard and the point has been proven – Ronnie is a big-time player averaging 11.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She’s also on scholarship and garnering well-earned NIL opportunities. Porter had her homecoming at St. Thomas on Wednesday in front a huge hometown crowd.
Kierra Wheeler – Norfolk State (Robbinsdale Cooper) 2021 #26
The one they call ‘MeMe’ could always dominate a game in high school and AAU when she was firing on all cylinders. Now Wheeler is proving she can do it at the Division 1 level. Norfolk State University out of Virginia is 7-3 and Wheeler is a big reason why. She’s averaging 16.3 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 53.5% from the field.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
FORMAT: Name – College (High School) Graduation Year & PGH ranking – points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage, percentage from 3-point range. Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
- Mallory Brake – Creighton (Hastings) 2020 #5 – 5 pts, 5.9 RB, 2.3 A, 1.5 S, 1.5 blocks, FG 50%
- Ellie Buzzelle – Eastern Illinois (Rogers) 2022 #11 – 9.2 pts, 3 RB, 2.2 A, 37.9% from 3
- Lily Fandre – Lehigh (Eagan) 2022 #14 – 12.4 pts, 5.4 RB, 2.3 A, FG 48.4%, 40.5% from 3
- Callin Hake – Nebraska (Chanhassen) 2022 #7 – 7.1 pts, 3.2 RB, 2.2 A, FG 44.2%, 48.3% from 3
- Sophie Hart – Minnesota (Farmington) 2021 #2 – 10.4 pts, 5.5 RB, 1.2 A, FG 60.3%
- Jade Hill – St. Thomas (Minneapolis South) 2021 #10 – 14.9 pts, 4.2 RB, 4.3 A, 2.3 S, FG 40.3%
- Heaven Hamling – North Dakota State (Grand Rapids) 2018 #8 –13.6 pts, 4.9 RB, 2.7 A, 1.9 S, FG 38.4%, 41.3% from 3
- Frannie Hottinger – Marquette (Cretin-Derham Hall), 2019 #4 – 9.1 pts, 7.6 RB, 2 A, 1.3 S, FG 50.7%
- Olivia Lane – Grand Canyon University (Pequot Lakes) 2019 #11 – 8.3 pts, 5.4 RB, 0.3 A, FG 47.1%
- Jo Langbehn – St. Thomas, (Elk River) 2021 #28 – 11.4 pts, 5.2 RB 0.8 , FG 72.2%
- Madison Mathiowetz – South Dakota State (Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s) 2022 #12 – 10 pts, 4 RB, 1.7 A, 1.1 S, FG 40.7%
- Taylor McAulay – Drake (Centennial) 2019 #8 – 11.9 pts, 3.1 RB, 2.7 A, 1.9 S, FG 47.1%
- Anna Miller – Drake (Rochester Mayo) 2021 #16 – 10.4 pts, 8.2 RB 1.7 A, 1.3 S, 2.2 blocks, FG 42.9%
- Miah Monahan – Eastern Illinois (Glencoe-Silver Lake) 2021 #22 – 13.3 pts, 4.6 RB. 4.3 A, 1.3 S, FG 43.4%
- Tori Nelson – South Dakota State (Henry Sibley) 2019 #10 – 8.1 pts, 5 RB, 2.9 A, 1.9 blocks, FG 41.9%
- Maya Nnaji – Arizona (Hopkins) 2022 #1 – 10.2 pts, 3.4 RB, 1.6 A, FG 47.9%
- Nneka Obiazor – Nevada-Las Vegas (Eden Prairie) 2020 #8 – 8.2 pts, 4.3 RB, 0.7 A, 47.1% from 3
- Amber Scalia – St. Thomas (Stillwater) 2022 #17 – 17.2 pts, 2.1 RB, 1.8 A, FG 39%
- Abby Schulte – North Dakota State (Maple Grove), 2020 #9 – 6.4 pts, 1.8 RB, 2.1 A, 1.1 S, 40% from 3
BEST FRESHMEN TO DATE
You’ll note that among our all-stars and honorable mentions above there are no freshmen. That was intentional. It’s hard to get your footing during the first year of major college basketball. We didn’t think it was fair to compare the performance of the rookies to the veterans, but here are a few freshmen who are off to a great start.
- Tessa Johnson – South Carolina (St. Michael-Albertville) 2023 #1 – 5.2 pts, 1.5 RB, 1.2 A, FG 54.5%, 44.4% from 3
- Nunu Agara – Stanford (Hopkins) 2023 #2 – 8.7 pts, 4.0 RB, 1.3 A, FG 50%
- Molly Lenz – Illinois State (Eden Prairie) 2023 #6 – 2.9 pts, 1.0 RB, 1.8 A, FG 42.1%
- Maren Westin – UW-Green Bay (Becker) 2023 #8 – 3.8 pts, 1.6 RB, 1.0 A, FG 55.6%
- Savannah McGowan – Illinois State (Robbinsdale Armstrong) 2023 #9 – 6.8 pts, 5.1 RB, FG 65.7%
- Abby Krzewinski – North Dakota State (Wayzata) 2023 #11 – 7.1 pts, 3.4 RB, 1.4 A, FG 49.1%, 40% from 3
- Shannon Fornshell – Drake (Wayzata) 2023 #17 – 4.3 pts, 3.3 RB, 0.6 A, FG 37.5%
Banner photo from back in the day (left to right): Sophi Hart, Adalia McKenzie, Gianna Kneepkens and Alexis Pratt.
Statistics used in this article were compiled by PGH scout Ally McGinnis from games played through Dec. 12.