South Dakota Class of 2029 Watch List, part 3

After watching the top South Dakota players in AAU basketball over the past three months we are now releasing our Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2029 Watch List. Last week we published parts 1 and 2. Now, after a brief break to cover the Up Next Showcase in Minnesota, we are back with part 3.   Just a reminder that the Watch List is not a ranking of the state's top 20 incoming sophomores. Rather, it is an introduction to 20 prospects who have distinguished themselves in 2026 and will be considered for the first official rankings of the class this fall. Players are presented in alphabetical order, with selections made without regard to geography, school size or AAU affiliation. Here are the next five members of the Class of 2029 Watch List.    Every time we've watched Ligtenberg play, she's found another way to impress us. The Sturgis Brown guard isn't the biggest player on the floor, but she consistently outplays her size with skill, poise and basketball IQ. Ligtenberg is a polished scorer who can knock down three-pointers in bunches, create separation for a reliable pull-up jumper or attack off the dribble. She handles the basketball with confidence, plays under control and consistently makes fundamentally sound decisions. Just as importantly, she competes on every possession, rebounds well for her position and brings a determined, team-first approach that translates to winning basketball.     McKean is the type of competitor every coach wants on the floor. Strong, physical and relentlessly tough, the Sioux Falls Washington guard impacts games with an edge that shows up on nearly every possession. She embraces contact, defends bigger players without hesitation and has the strength to finish through traffic on the offensive end. McKean's willingness to do the dirty work often changes the tone of a game, whether she's forcing a turnover, battling for a loose ball or making a hustle play that doesn't appear in the box score. Her toughness, versatility and competitive mindset give her an outstanding foundation as she continues to develop.     McVey has many of the qualities coaches value most in a point guard. The Lennox standout plays with outstanding poise, keeps her eyes up and consistently makes the right read before the defense has a chance to react. She controls tempo without forcing the action, communicates well and has a calming influence on everyone around her. McVey is also a crafty ball handler, an accurate shooter and a disruptive defender who competes with energy on every possession. She understands how to organize an offense, create opportunities for teammates and make winning plays, making her one of the more polished floor generals in the 2029 class.     Musser brings an impressive blend of athleticism, versatility and production to the floor. A standout multi-sport athlete, the Lennox left-hander covers ground effortlessly, runs the floor at top speed and possesses the explosiveness to impact games above the rim as a rebounder and shot challenger. She uses her length well on the defensive end, shoots the basketball with confidence and has the versatility to fill multiple roles depending on what her team needs. Fresh off helping Lennox capture a state championship, Musser has made an impression this summer, too. Bergan has all the physical tools colleges look for in a modern, positionless wing and continues to trend upward as her game expands.     O'Neill already possesses a combination of size and athleticism that is difficult to teach. The Bennett County standout is a dynamic athlete whose explosiveness shows up on both the basketball court and the track, where she has established herself among the state's best. O'Neill scores effectively inside, has the mobility to face up on the perimeter and uses her length and bounce to make an impact on the defensive end. She rebounds at a high level, covers the floor with long, effortless strides and has the versatility to guard multiple positions. Still early in her development, O'Neill owns one of the higher long-term ceilings in South Dakota's 2029 class.

After watching the top South Dakota players in AAU basketball over the past three months we are now releasing our Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2029 Watch List. Last week we published parts 1 and 2. Now, after a brief break to cover the Up Next Showcase in Minnesota, we are back with part 3.