Bugbee had arguably the best AAU season of any North Dakota athlete, picking up a ton of Division 1 offers. She is one of the top players in the state and one of the best players in recent memory. Her effort to pursue rebounds reminds me of Horace graduate and current Gonzaga standout Jaiden Haile. She is the best rebounder in the state and so much more physical than anyone else. I think Mandan is one of the few teams that can compete with Century and it’s because of the physical strength of AnnaClaire Bugbee AnnaClaire Bugbee 6'2" | C/PF Mandan | 2028 State ND . Last season she averaged 17.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2 steals per game. She shot 49.7% from the field and 63.7% from the free-throw line.

I have seen enough: Division 1 schools will be all over Bugbee this recruiting season. She reminds me a lot of one of my former players who found success at NDSU. She is an absolute force around the basket on both sides of the floor. She can get to her spots whenever she wants. Basically the only way you are stopping her is if you foul her. She averaged over 5 free-throw attempts per game this past season. AnnaClaire is probably the best rebounder in the state. She averaged 13.1 rebounds per game with 6.1 of them coming on the offensive end. Mandan is going to be extremely tough to beat these next few years. WDA teams are waiting for the day they won’t have to play Bugbee anymore.

Bugbee was on the D2 offer train this summer, picking up two more offers from Minot State and Northern State. Having 3 Division 2 offers as a 2028 is impressive and sometimes indicates potential Division 1 offers coming her way. She has a great frame for the college game and will really have an opportunity to shine this season. She is Mandan ‘s best returner and I predict she will find herself on the All-WDA team this year.

AnnaClaire has moved up in the rankings since last release and for good reason. She has a ton of potential to be really good at the next level. She will shine these next three seasons with the departure of NDSU commit McKenna Johnson graduating. AnnaClaire is a tough, physical post and isn’t afraid to battle with anyone on the court. This hard-nosed attitude is something I love to see in a player.

AnnaClaire is having a terrific summer and is starting to get noticed by colleges. She recently received a Division 2 offer from University of Mary. This tells us she is at least a Division 2 prospect, and perhaps a Division 1 prospect. Her size and strength makes her a nice player to evaluate and I think she is just scratching the surface of how good she could be. She is a brute force around the rim and can move quick enough laterally to keep smaller girls in front defensively. She has excellent timing when she contests shots and alters and blocks a ton of opponents.