A glimpse into the future at AAU State Prelims

We don't spend a ton of time watching 7th graders, but when the opportunity presents itself in a tournament schedule we tend to jump on it. That was the case this past weekend at the AAU State Prelims where my primary assignment was the Class of 2029. I also had the chance to watch several 2031 squads. The following five athletes caught our attention, turning themselves from players into prospects. Here's a glimpse into their respective futures.   IMMEDIATE IMPACT   [player_tooltip player_id='1849575' first='Ingrid' last='Hippe'] – 2031 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Blue   A true glimpse into the future, the forward from Wayzata is impossible to miss the moment she steps on the floor. The lean 6-footer, who has plenty more physical development ahead of her, already carries herself like a high-upside prospect, flashing rare length and mobility for a 7th grader. Playing up a level with Wayzata travel this winter, she more than held her own. With the Fury she looks just as impressive, impacting the game defensively with her wingspan and scoring inside when opportunities were there. Her stride is long and fluid, the kind of effortless glide superior players often possess. She also has a burst that hints at what's coming physically. Ingrid reminds us a lot of 2028 standout [player_tooltip player_id='644897' first='Natalie' last='Heyer'] at the same age. As her body catches up to her tools, Hippe has the look of a strong long-term prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1849578' first='Maggie' last='Bramwell'] – 2031 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Blue   While we were watching Hippe do her thing, Bramwell kept busting into our field of vision. Her elite athleticism was impossible to ignore. This girl is explosive! Hailing from Centennial, Bramwell offered up as clear of a picture of what's possible as anyone we watched. The gifted guard put up 26 points and did it with force, athleticism, and a motor that never let up. She's already physically advanced for her age, combining strength with impressive vertical. She finishes through contact and rises above defenders with relative ease. Remember former Becker standout Maren Westin, now at Wisconsin-Green Bay? There's a little of her in Maggie with the way she attacks the rim and her sheer athletic ability. Bramwell defends with intensity, too, earning praise from her coaches for her efforts. Quick, powerful, and fearless, Maggie has the potential to be a high-level prospect.   PLENTY OF POSSIBILITIES   [player_tooltip player_id='1849579' first='Arianni' last='Shaffa'] – 2031 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] Braziel   Comparisons are inevitable and you know we love to play the little sister game. It took mere moments to figure out that Arianni is the younger sibling of accomplished 2028 standout [player_tooltip player_id='992385' first='Anaya' last='Shaffa'], a Top 35 prospect from DeLaSalle. The resemblance in how they play is uncanny. The lefty guard led her team with 39 points over the weekend, showcasing a crafty handle, quick feet, and a natural scoring instincts. While mirroring Anaya's style of play, Arianni has the potential to carve her own path. She plays fast, attacks gaps, and shows advanced comfort with the ball for her age. She's also a tenacious defender. Like many young guards, Shaffa wore her emotions on her sleeve when we watched at the Prelims, and the level of desire and competitive fire is obvious. We look forward to watching her game grow.   Makayla Neumiller – 2031 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United']   Our primary focus in taking an extended look at West Central's best group of 2031 talent was to see Perham 7th grader [player_tooltip player_id='1612422' first='Claire' last='Pilgrim'], a precocious young prospect who was highlighted in yesterday's article on <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/05/aau-state-prelims-on-the-cusp-of-a-breakthrough/">breakthrough performers</a>, but we couldn't stop watching Neumiller work. Hailing from North Dakota, the Jamestown guard also qualifies for standout little sister status. Her sibling [player_tooltip player_id='1246815' first='Macey' last='Neumiller'] is a Top 10 prospect in North Dakota's Class of 2029. Both of them can definitely shoot it. Across four games, Makayla put up 34 points including a big game against Stars Braziel when we watched. Neumiller is athletic, explosive, and possesses light feet, attacking the rim with confidence and rising quickly in traffic. There's no question that Makayla is talented. It's early but the tools, confidence, and natural ability suggest Neumiller is a name to remember in North Dakota.   [player_tooltip player_id='1849581' first='Hannah' last='Carlson'] – 2031 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='718403' first='Minnesota' last='Freeze']   Carlson is the definition of a sparkplug! We don't often write about guards under 5 feet tall, but we'll cut Hannah some slack because she's only a 7th grader. She more than compensates with relentless energy, defensive intensity, and real skill with the ball. Carlson is a pest on defense, an annoying gnat who constantly hounds ball handlers with nonstop pressure, and plays every possession like it matters. Offensively, she shows creativity and toughness, even launching deep shots with confidence, Already getting some varsity exposure at Legacy Christian, she is the younger sister of 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='990974' first='Sarah' last='Carlson']. She plays with an edge that will serve her well going forward.   TWO MORE NAMES TO KNOW   In addition to the aforementioned 2031s, we also want to highlight a couple more players we liked. Although our viewing window was limited, these two players definitely warrant a mention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1849558' first='Annika' last='Smith'] – 2030 forward, [program_tooltip program_id='712699' first='Minnesota' last='Rise'] Wright   There's a ton of size in the Class of 2030, perhaps more than any age group we've covered over the past decade. Nobody is bigger than Smith. Standing 6'4 with a big body to match, Annika is as green as they get. But the upside? It's immense. Smith is new to basketball and it shows, but the progress made over the past few weeks is remarkable. She moves well, has solid instincts and good hands. She gets herself into position in the low post and is impossible to move. Once she learns the nuances of playing her position, Annika has the chance to be a real force. The type of size Smith possesses is a gift from above. With the right mindset and support, the possibilities are real.   [player_tooltip player_id='1849566' first='Chloe' last='Wortz'] – 2029 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='767539' first='Minnesota' last='Comets'] Washington   The Eden Prairie guard certainly looks the part with an athletic build, broad shoulders and a nice frame – a combination that helps a lot when the goal is to get to college basketball. We only watched for 10 minutes or so but what we saw was a solid set of skills with quality fundamentals. We liked Chloe's energy. She's a positive, vocal teammate and a leader of her team. She showed good speed, nice body control, and the ability to score the basketball. Wortz can definitely shoot it as a 5-triple, 18-point performance against FSA Ritter will attest. We saw enough to make note of Chloe's potential and will take another look down the road.

We don't spend a ton of time watching 7^th graders, but when the opportunity presents itself in a tournament schedule we tend to jump on it. That was the case this past weekend at the AAU State Prelims where my primary assignment was the Class of 2029. I also had the chance to watch several 2031 squads. The following five athletes caught our attention, turning themselves from players into prospects. Here's a glimpse into their respective futures.