South Dakota 2027 rankings: Newcomers to watch

By the time any particular class of college prospects reaches their senior year, it becomes pretty clear who the top 40 or 50 players are. Some move up a little, others drop down and a few newcomers are added every time Prep Girls Hoops updates the rankings. South Dakota has been different.   With nobody occupying the lead scout's chair here for a year or more, the rankings hadn't been updated in a really long time. Working with South Dakota-based coaches at the collegiate, AAU and high school levels, we quickly made some additions in the spring with a plan to update the overall 2027 rankings at the end of the AAU season. Here we are, on the eve of September, and that process is complete. Having unveiled the full 125-prospect list of ranked 2027s, introduced you to the revised top 10, and offered up evaluations on a number of players who raised their recruiting stock over the summer, we're down to the last order of business.   After a brief pause for a much-needed vacation – not something I do nearly often enough as my wife will tell you – we now bring you evaluations of the two players who've been added to the rankings this month along with a few more who were added in the spring and deserve your attention, as well. Here goes.    As soon as we arrived in the state, people were telling us we needed to see Dauwen. That wasn't easy given that she's from Lemmon, which is a hundred miles closer to Canada than it is to Sioux Falls. We found highlights and asked around and it's pretty clear Madison is a top 50. Dauwen fits an increasingly valuable profile as a forward who can impact the game inside while stretching defenses well beyond the paint. The 5'11 standout is a legitimate perimeter threat who set a school record with 9 threes in a game, but there's much more to her game. Dauwen uses her length effectively as a rim protector and offensive rebounder, frequently turning missed shots into second-chance points. We're told that her passing and playmaking has improved and she's gotten better at handling physicality and defending away from the basket. She clearly has nice potential as a stretch-four at the next level.     O'Donnell has demonstrated the ability to take over games against quality competition, but what makes her particularly interesting is how much more she offers than perimeter scoring. The 5'8 guard, also from Lemmon, is an efficient shooter with a quick, smooth release and legitimate range. When defenders overplay the shot, she can attack off the bounce, get to her pull-up jumper or finish her drive to the intended destination. Izzie also has excellent court vision and can function at either guard spot while consistently looking to create opportunities for teammates. She is poised under pressure, handles the ball reliably and generally makes sound decisions. Her lateral quickness and anticipation also make her disruptive defensively. A multi-sport athlete, O'Donnell combines skill, basketball IQ and versatility with considerable offensive upside.        Among the 20 or so players added in the spring who weren't included in our top 10 or stock-risers stories, here are three more players to watch this winter.    Knutson is the type of prospect whose progress has become more apparent to observers over a longer period of time. After breaking through as a varsity contributor off the bench as a sophomore, the 6-foot post has gradually grown into her role while expanding her game along the way. Her length, mobility and high motor give her a strong defensive foundation. Knutson guards the rim well, rebounds effectively and makes opponents work for everything around the basket. She also embraces the dirty work, setting solid screens, establishing position and creating second-chance opportunities with her rebounding. Her offensive game continues to evolve, and her long stride makes her an intriguing rim-running option. There is plenty left to unlock here, making Skylar an appealing long-term projection for the collegiate game.     Standing Soldier has made a name for herself thanks to strong performances with Maȟpíya Lúta at the high school level. Beyond the borders of South Dakota, however, Jayden has a low profile. We suspect that will change. Jayden has considerable upside. At 6-foot-2, she has the size, length and instincts to be an imposing interior presence. She is an excellent shot blocker with the timing to challenge attempts without constantly fouling, while her physicality and edge make her difficult to play against. Standing Soldier rebounds aggressively, creates deflections and consistently impacts possessions defensively. Offensively, she has progressed beyond scoring primarily on putbacks, drop-steps and cuts. Her face-up game is emerging, her ball handling has improved, and she is becoming increasingly comfortable shooting away from the basket. With further development, there's no telling how good Jayden can be long-term.     Upon watching Nedved it becomes obvious rather quickly that she has a ton of natural scoring ability, but it is her continued evolution into a more complete guard earned that has seen Taylor rise to the #32 ranking in South Dakota's Class of 2027. The 5'8 Harrisburg standout has become a consistent starter for her school while showing that he can go toe-to-toe with high-level AAU competition. Nedved's offensive toolbox continues to grow. She can stretch defenses with legitimate range, whether spotting up off the ball or creating a pull-up opportunity from the dribble. He has grown stronger, too, enabling her to absorb and initiate contact rather than relying exclusively on finesse. She has a good frame for the position, understands her defensive responsibilities and can handle multiple assignments. We love Taylor's upside and are confident college coaches will, too.     Skonhovd caught our attention early this summer and over the past few months we've had no trouble confirming our first impressions. The 5'9 guard/wing from West Central is a terrific multi-sport athlete whose well-chronicled ability on the track appears to translate well to the basketball court. Mackenzie is a smooth mover who gets up and down the floor in a hurry, making her particularly dangerous in transition. Skonhovd attacks the basket confidently, elevates well and can finish through contact, but she isn't limited to getting downhill. She is also a quality perimeter shooter who can stretch defenses with her range. Her length and athleticism provide defensive versatility, including the ability to guard multiple positions and block shots. Add her competitiveness and physicality and Skonhovd has an intriguing collection of tools that should translate well to the college game.

By the time any particular class of college prospects reaches their senior year, it becomes pretty clear who the top 40 or 50 players are. Some move up a little, others drop down and a few newcomers are added every time Prep Girls Hoops updates the rankings. South Dakota has been different.