Introducing the Class of 2029 Watch List, part 1

With the AAU season now past the halfway point, we've taken time over the past couple of weeks to tackle one of the most meaningful benchmarks in our year-round coverage – the release of the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2029 Watch List. While the official Freshmen 50 won't debut until fall, this list marks an early spotlight on 20 incoming 9th graders who have already distinguished themselves in a variety of ways in recent months..   Let's be clear: this is not a ranking. It's a recognition. These are players who've shown college-level potential now, either through their varsity play to date, during the AAU season, or both. In the past, every player on the Watch List has gone on to earn top-50 status. Some might even headline that list. But for now, the Watch List is simply a way to highlight who's already made an impression by the end of 8th grade.   A few things stand out about this year's group:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The list spans the entire state – 14 players are from the Twin Cities metropolitan region with six from Greater Minnesota.</li>   <li>Big-school programs are well represented, with eight players from Class 4A and seven from Class 3A. There are four from 2A, and one from Class A. Five attend private schools.</li>   <li>Talent is concentrated among a few elite AAU clubs. [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] leads the way with eight Watch List players across three teams, followed by [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] with six from its EYBL squad. [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] and [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] place two prospects apiece, while the [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] and All-Iowa Attack each appear once.</li>   <li>As always with Prep Girls Hoops prospect evaluations, these selections reflect long-term upside, not current performance. We're focused on which players project to the next level, and this group has already made that case.</li> </ul>   Here are the first five members of the Prep Girls Hoops 2029 Watch List, sorted alphabetically by last name.    The 6'1 forward has taken a major leap forward in the past year. Once a raw but gifted athlete, Arrey is now a much more polished presence on the floor. Her length, bounce, and improving footwork make her a tough matchup in the paint, while her touch around the rim and mid-range shooting continue to develop. Arrey plays with more confidence and better court awareness than ever before. Under the guidance of East Ridge coach Ashley Ellis-Milan, she's become stronger, more balanced, and far more impactful on both ends of the floor.     Austin is already a varsity-tested guard with elite tools and a high ceiling. She's a skilled playmaker with quick feet, sharp instincts, and a polished offensive game. Austin handles the ball with confidence, sees the floor well, and scores in a variety of ways – slashing to the rim, pulling up in the mid-range, or knocking down shots from deep. Defensively, her quick hands and active presence make her a disruptive force. With strong feel and advanced decision-making, she's one of the top point guards in Minnesota's 2029 class.     The 8th grade guard from Wayzata is a unique and promising talent with a well-rounded game. Backer is excellent on the offensive end, showing deep shooting range and the ability to convert tough plays into easy points with her sharp instincts. Blessed with notable length, she's equally impactful on defense – pressuring the perimeter, forcing turnovers, and blocking shots at an impressive rate. A strong rebounder with high basketball IQ, Backer still has room to grow physically, which makes her long-term upside even more intriguing.     A high-motor wing, Brustad first caught our attention as a 7th grade varsity contributor and has since developed into a key piece for New Ulm. Long, athletic, and wiry, Brustad brings relentless energy and defensive versatility. She can guard multiple positions, chase rebounds, and disrupt shots with her length. She's physical, fearless, and crafty, using her movement off the ball to create opportunities on offense. Still growing into her frame, Brustad is an impact player on both ends and continues to trend upward as one of Southern Minnesota's most intriguing newcomers.     One of Minnesota's premier 2029 prospects, Changamire is a long, athletic guard from Becker with Division I potential written all over her game. She moves with fluidity and purpose, making the difficult look effortless and scoring efficiently off the bounce. At 5'11 with elite length, she's already a strong rebounder and a defensive weapon. Changamire plays with composure beyond her years and has already proven she can put up big numbers at the varsity level. Her talent, maturity, and upside make her one to watch here and beyond.

With the AAU season now past the halfway point, we've taken time over the past couple of weeks to tackle one of the most meaningful benchmarks in our year-round coverage – the release of the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2029 Watch List. While the official Freshmen 50 won't debut until fall, this list marks an early spotlight on 20 incoming 9th graders who have already distinguished themselves in a variety of ways in recent months..