AAU auditions: Who excelled in our tour of tryouts?

Even though the start of the next AAU season is more than six months out, August is the thick of the tryout cycle for teams that will compete in 2026. Recruiting for top players is hot and heavy right now as the big clubs jockey for the services of future Division 1 collegians. Meanwhile hundreds of players are making the rounds in hopes of earning a spot alongside the future stars or others with abilities similar to their own.   We've been touring the tryouts over the past couple of weeks beginning with a grueling two-hour session at Hopkins with the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] on July 27 and continuing with stops in Andover for the [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze'], Eden Prairie for [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] and Maple Grove for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']. Monday we were back at Hopkins for the first [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] session before spending time at Bloomington Jefferson with the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] on Tuesday evening.   To protect the integrity of the process, we won't tell you where we saw each player. We appreciate the support of club directors in allowing us access to their tryouts and we wouldn't want to inadvertently affect how things play out. Here are a few players who've stood out when we have been in the gym.   VETERANS WHO'VE IMPROVED   [player_tooltip player_id='644103' first='Lauryn' last='Stolzenberg'] – 2027 guard, Lake City   Few players in Minnesota's 2027 class have made the kind of strides Stolzenberg has since we first watched her play. The 5'8 guard from Lake City has transformed her raw athleticism into a more refined, dangerous skillset. Once known primarily for her nonstop motor and bouncy athleticism, Lauryn (pictured above) is now playing with more control and enhanced basketball IQ. Her ball-handling is sharper, her shot more efficient, and her decision-making more mature. Lauryn still flies around the court, but she's learned when to accelerate and when to let the game come to her. She continues to show exceptional toughness and a complete lack of fear. Nobody will ever question her desire to compete.   [player_tooltip player_id='932009' first='Cara' last='Sarbacker'] – 2027 wing, East Ridge   A high-upside 6-foot wing, Sarbacker looks poised for a boost in the rankings after a strong AAU season and a transfer to East Ridge High School. She'll benefit greatly from coaching under Ashley Ellis-Milan as well as the level of competition in the Suburban East Conference. Cara was able to put up big numbers for Class A Christ's Household of Faith against a weak slate of opponents but it was a no-win situation for her personal development. Now that she'll be part of an impactful system, and not have to do every single thing by herself, Sarbacker is in a position to raise her game. Cara brings length, mobility, and versatility to the floor. She scores efficiently from the arc with a fluid, confident stroke and impacts the game defensively with rebounds, blocks, and steals. Sarbacker's summer with Fury 2027 S40 showcased that she belongs in the conversation among scholarship-level wings in the class.   PLAYERS RAISING THEIR PROFILE   [player_tooltip player_id='1280969' first='Ady' last='LaValley'] – 2029 guard, Prior Lake   At 5'10 with lengthy limbs and big feet, LaValley is an exciting long-term prospect in Minnesota's 2029 class. She impressed in ball-handling drills and showed off clean shooting mechanics – her release is quick, soft, and straight, despite being slightly two-handed (for now). During the initial scrimmages we saw Ady in, she buried multiple open threes with pure confidence. LaValley is a dual-sport athlete (basketball and soccer) with great cutting instincts and a knack for offensive rebounding. Her feel for the game stands out. After breaking her left hand midway through the AAU season with Crossfire Elite, she's proving to be an interesting prospect at tryouts. We've seen her at multiple different auditions, and her consistency and focus were impressive every time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1246851' first='Aza' last='Baartman'] – 2029 forward, Goodhue   Let's go out on a limb right now and say this: Baartman might be the next great player from Goodhue. And there have been plenty of them! The 5'11 forward played for Stars Zabel this summer, earning honorable mention All-Tournament status at AAU State. Her minutes at Goodhue have been limited on a deep roster so far but her routine near double-digit productivity in AAU bodes well for the future. What stands out most is her physicality and motor. Baartman crashes the glass with intensity, defends with purpose, and rarely gets beat off the bounce. She's fundamentally sound, smart, and always seems to be in the right spot. With a strong frame and athletic build, she is a viable candidate for our upcoming Freshmen 50 list, the initial ranking of the Class of 2029.   FRESH FACES   [player_tooltip player_id='1280971' first='Sydney' last='Taylor'] – 2029 guard, Concordia Academy   Taylor saw varsity action in 16 games as an 8th grader for the Beacons and is poised for a bigger role this season. The 5'5 guard plays with noticeable confidence, even a bit of swagger. She's skilled with the ball, moves well laterally, and takes pride in her defense. Her quick feet and better-than-average anticipation allow her to disrupt ball handlers and force turnovers, sparking transition chances. Taylor's strong lower body helps her hold her ground defensively. No doubt she'll grow this year into a more impactful presence on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1280973' first='Miley' last='Sikkink'] – 2029 guard, Princeton   Sikkink has transformed physically in recent months to dramatic effect. Miley played a couple of years ago for the club she was trying out for when we watched. When she showed up at tryouts, however, the coaches did not even recognize her. That's how much her body has changed. Miley has “athlete” written all over her. At 5'8, with a powerful lower body and long arms, she moves fluidly and looks the part of a rising backcourt contributor. She caught our eye early with a quick step past a post defender and continued to make decisive passes and smart cuts throughout play. Miley's development trajectory is clearly headed in the right direction.   THE NEXT GENERATION   [player_tooltip player_id='1280966' first='Eliza' last='Mullenbach'] – 2031 guard, New Ulm   Mullenbach is one of the most intriguing young prospects we've seen in Minnesota's 2031 class. The 5'8 guard from New Ulm looks even taller thanks to her exceptional length, which she uses to great advantage on both ends of the floor. She's fluid, light on her feet, and showed the ability to set up her defender with a crafty pause before blowing past for a clean finish at the rim. Eliza handles the ball with confidence, shoots it well from deep, and plays fast without being out of control. She's calm, poised, and productive – a rare combination in an incoming 7th grader. Her play at both the Fall Exclusive and with Fury 2031 Blue predicts a lofty ceiling.

Even though the start of the next AAU season is more than six months out, August is the thick of the tryout cycle for teams that will compete in 2026. Recruiting for top players is hot and heavy right now as the big clubs jockey for the services of future Division 1 collegians. Meanwhile hundreds of players are making the rounds in hopes of earning a spot alongside the future stars or others with abilities similar to their own.