Saturday Scouting at the Suns Summer Xplosion

While this weekend marked the beginning of the high school summer window, there was still some AAU basketball happening, too, courtesy of the MInnesota Suns. We spent time Saturday at the Suns Summer Xplosion at Wayzata High School where more than 30 teams in the 8th through 11th grade realm did business. Between Sunday's Breakdown USA high school event and a couple of high school graduation gatherings, our time at the Suns tournament was somewhat limited. In the few hours we were there, these are some of the players who caught our attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1230331' first='Brynn' last='Stensrud'] – 2026 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='1229871' first='Southwest' last='Fury'] (Lakeview)   The best player we scouted on Saturday afternoon was also the first. Stensrud is a 5'6 guard point guard from Lakeview High School in Cottonwood, which is located midway been Marshall and Granite Falls in southwestern Minnesota. A two-time all-conference pick and Camden Conference MVP, Stensrud averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for a 19-win team this past winter. She's a creative scorer with a quick, high-release jumper, excellent mechanics, and a quality floater. That's essential for smaller guards at the next level.   Brynn attacks the basket from either side of the court, sees the floor well, and finds space even in tight quarters. In one standout moment when she was trapped under the rim in heavy traffic, Stensrud inexplicably weaved her way out of the quagmire for a smooth finish off glass – the kind of instinctive play that separates a scorer from a shot taker. Most would have turned it over; She made two points. Stensrud averaged 11 ppg in the tournament and has posted scoring totals in the 30s and 40s every weekend this spring. A strong defender with great feel for the game, she's also participates in track and trap shooting. Bottom line: when Brynn walks on the court, she looks like an athlete – and plays like one, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1256103' first='Brook' last='Gunlogson'] – 2026 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='1229871' first='Southwest' last='Fury'] (Lakeview)   Gunlogson doesn't need height to impact a game – just quickness, instincts, and a high-test motor. The 5'5 guard, also from Lakeview, showed that she can make plays, put the ball in the basket, and defend at a high level. Although she isn't tall, Gunlogson has an remarkable wingspan. When she gets down in a stance, Brook is very difficult to get by. Many small-school players struggle adapting to the pace of AAU, but not Brook. She accelerates quickly, finds the seams, and attacks openings with confidence. Gunlogson's skills and energy give her real potential at the next level. What Ally McGinnis reported on from the AAU Shootout on the first weekend of the season back in April was pretty much what we saw out of Gunlogson and Stensrud on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255491' first='Ava' last='Michaelis'] – 2027 guard, MN Swish (Belle Plaine)   Michaelis is a shifty, left-handed point guard who brought energy, court vision, and tempo to the court when we watched on Saturday evening. She scored 11 points against Crossfire and consistently found ways to create – whether slipping through traffic to finish or finding open shooters in stride. Michaelis gets downhill quickly, plays in transition with control, and uses her quick feet to defend on the perimeter. Her sense of timing and feel stood out when she used a well-placed hesitation to blow by her defende and cash in with an easy layup for two points. As her game continues to grow, Ava has a chance to play beyond high school.   [player_tooltip player_id='999548' first='Aniyrah' last='Gorman'] – 2027 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] S40 (Two Rivers)   Gorman is an explosive, emotionally-charged point guard who has the goods to light a spark every time she hits the court. The 5'5 junior-to-be had 17 points and six steals in a late-night matchup against [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze'] that we watched, showing off her trademark burst, mid-range touch, and confident swagger. Gorman plays fast and fearlessly, with a style that somewhat echoes Courtney Williams of the Lynx. She's vocal and plenty animated, as well. Over time, she's added more discipline to her game – moving the ball more and forcing less – and her growth was evident both on Saturday at the Suns event and at the Breakdown Summer Invitational on Sunday morning. When Aniyrah is on, she's a difference-maker with game-breaking speed and energy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1255487' first='Elise' last='McMillen'] – 2027 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] S40 (Minneapolis Southwest)   McMillen is a lengthy 5'10 wing/guard from Minneapolis who plays with nonstop effort. She averaged 8.7 points, 3 rebound and, 1.9 assist per game during the high school season, and continues to show growth. McMillen can make threes and battle down low. She isn't afraid to get scrappy underneath in search of boards, and she can score put-backs against physical defenders. McMillen defends across positions, runs the floor hard, and has a knack for staying active around the ball. Her energy level never seems to drop. Might there be a breakout winter ahead? We would not be surprised.   Abigail Mayers – 2029 wing, Midwest Queens (Brainerd)   We have one more name to know today following a brief viewing on Saturday. Long, lean, and athletic, Mayers stood out the moment she stepped on the floor. A track athlete from Brainerd who is already pushing 6 feet, she moves fluidly and shows natural coordination for her size and age. Her flashes of skill and terrific lateral quickness caught our attention right away. We'll add Abigail's name to the database and circle back to have another look down the road. Hopefully she shows up at the Freshmen Showcase in September where we'll be able to learn much more.

While this weekend marked the beginning of the high school summer window, there was still some AAU basketball happening, too, courtesy of the MInnesota Suns. We spent time Saturday at the Suns Summer Xplosion at Wayzata High School where more than 30 teams in the 8th through 11th grade realm did business. Between Sunday's Breakdown USA high school event and a couple of high school graduation gatherings, our time at the Suns tournament was somewhat limited. In the few hours we were there, these are some of the players who caught our attention.