AAU State Prelims: On the cusp of a breakthrough

The AAU State Prelims is all about setting the table for the State Tournament to follow. As the collective squads attempted to get their act together over the weekend and earn the highest seed possible, it was also an opportunity for individuals to pave the way to their own future. We went into the Prelims weekend looking for undiscovered talent. Along the way we watched a number of previously scouted prospects who are rapidly coming into their own. Here are five players we liked at the Prelims who are on the cusp of a big breakthrough.    For a while now, Stier has been referred to as Ava's younger sister – Ava being the MSU-Mankato standout who helped lead the Mavericks to a D2 national championship. That storyline is officially expiring. After the way Ireland played over the weekend, she's stepping into her own spotlight in a big way. Steer poured in 41 points, including 21 in a dominant showing against Diamond Elite when we watched, and was one of the most electric players in the gym. She was everywhere, flying around defensively, pushing tempo, finishing in transition and knocking down shots. The burst is real. The confidence is growing. And the skill development since we last watched her live in the winter is obvious. Stier is longer, quicker, and playing with zero fear. With Waconia graduating several key pieces, Ireland looks ready for a breakthrough.     Some players ease into your field of vision. Pilgrim grabs you by the eyeballs and doesn't let go. The Perham standout – just a 7th grader –  led her team with 40 points on the weekend, but it was the way she did it that stuck out. Early on when we watched, she rose up and swatted a shot clean, a moment that set the tone for what followed. Pilgrim is simply ahead of the curve. She's stronger, faster and more confident than most players her age. A varsity contributor as a 7th grader on a state tournament team, she already understands pacing, spacing, and timing. The ball seems to find her, and she makes something happen when it does. There's something special about Pilgrim and we're here for all of it.     As part of a loaded Fury roster with seven ranked prospects, including top 30 standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1246846' first='Nivaya' last='Koles'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1002988' first='Chloe' last='Reedy'], it's not easy for Hinze to capture the attention of scouts and college coaches. Braylee's play managed to speak for itself when we watched on Saturday, and she did it without needing big scoring numbers. What stands out about Braylee is her movement. She never seems to stop and is constantly working to find openings and slipping through defensive cracks for clean looks. Although she didn't have much opportunity to show it, Braylee is one of the premier shooters in the 2029 class, with deep range and a smooth, confident release that holds up under pressure. When she gets her feet set, it's usually three points. Braylee has plenty of room for growth, but her foundation is strong and her motor will carry the day going forward.     Kouvalis is not flashy – far from it – but she is the kind of player you notice because she just keeps executing smart plays and carrying out her assignments without making unforced errors. Willie Wright's Hoop Habits squad has plenty of talented athletes, including 2030 [player_tooltip player_id='1090087' first='Lariah' last='Wright'] and 2031 [player_tooltip player_id='1817716' first='Lamairah' last='Wright'], but great teams have a variety of types of players who can do their job without fanfare. That's Naya. The Wayzata guard brings a physical, no-nonsense approach, doing the meat-and-potatoes work that holds everything together. She defends aggressively, rebounds well, and isn't afraid to take on tough assignments like guarding her Wayzata teammate [player_tooltip player_id='932145' first='Brielle' last='Denkmann'] for stretches on Saturday. Kouvalis plays with effort and purpose, showing improved quickness and a growing feel for the game at both ends of the floor. A multi-sport athlete with solid instincts, we think Naya has upside that's worth paying attention to.     Kramer didn't light up the scoring column this weekend, but she impacted the game in many other ways, all of watch made an impression on us. The 5'8 combo guard plays with bounce, pace, and a steady feel that stands out. She's quick, light on her feet, and never looked rushed, even when things were speeding up all around her. Kramer attacks effectively – especially going left – and does a nice job spacing the floor with her shooting. Defensively, she brings energy, quick hands, and anticipation. Add in her willingness to do the gritty work and you've got a player coaches will love. The production will come. What's already there is a strong foundation built on toughness and desire.

The AAU State Prelims is all about setting the table for the State Tournament to follow. As the collective squads attempted to get their act together over the weekend and earn the highest seed possible, it was also an opportunity for individuals to pave the way to their own future. We went into the Prelims weekend looking for undiscovered talent. Along the way we watched a number of previously scouted prospects who are rapidly coming into their own. Here are five players we liked at the Prelims who are on the cusp of a big breakthrough.