This summer was one of transformation for the rising star from Stewartville. Over the winter we saw Shindelar get taller, stronger, and more assertive, stepping into a bigger role for the Tigers. But over the course of the AAU campaign, the Minnesota Rise guard has turned into a full-blown alpha dog. Leading the charge for coach Ryan Hulke’s 2028 team, we watched as Danika (pictured above) put on utterly dominant performances week after week. Her willingness to step up and take the reins this summer, as well as the recruiting opportunities that have followed, made Shindelar an easy choice for this year’s 2028 Breakout Player of the Year. 

Now standing at 5’11, Shindelar is a big, solidly built guard with plenty of power and speed. She can take defenders one-on-one to the basket, finish through traffic, or knock down shots from the midrange and beyond the arc. The incoming junior led the Rise in scoring at multiple events this summer, including a 53-point weekend at the AAU State Prelims, and another 57 points at the State Championship the following week. On top of her offensive capabilities, Danika plays with a strong understanding of the game, is a great facilitator and capable ball handler, and uses her physicality to her advantage on the defensive end. She works relentlessly on the boards, routinely grabbing rebounds over much larger opponents. 

We haven’t been alone in our evaluation of Shindelar’s summer, though. Over the course of the season, we fielded countless questions from college and AAU coaches, parents, and spectators alike. Usually things along the lines of “Who is number 41?”, “Where is she from?” typically followed by comments like “She’s gotten really good!” It’s no surprise that by May, Division 1 coaches were lining up on the sidelines to get a look. Since then, we’re told that Danika has picked up offers from UW-Milwaukee and South Dakota, with other schools in the conversation. Clearly a significant boost in the rankings was needed. During our last class of 2028 rankings update back in June, Shindelar made a 16 spot jump, now placing her squarely in the top 25. 

With Stewartville grads Jacyi Rath, Audrey Shindelar, and Addi Ruffridge now moving on to the college game, it’s Danika’s turn to run the show for the Tigers. And after what we’ve seen this summer, we’d say she’s more than ready. 

We’ve watched Danika numerous times this winter, both live and online, and the progression from start to finish has been gratifying to see. It’s not easy being the little sister of a college bound standout like junior Audrey Shindelar Audrey Shindelar 6'0" | CG Stewartville | 2026 State MN , who has committed to South Dakota State, but Danika has now emerged from the shadows and made it clear she, too, can play a little. Shindelar is third in scoring on the Tigers, and on many nights has been their best player. Danika can create, she can defend, and she can fire the three-ball like nobody’s business. Now she’s in the top 50.

It’s not easy following in the footsteps of an outstanding older sibling who has set the bar so high as to be practically unreachable. That’s the situation Danika finds herself in after top-10 ranked sister Audrey Shindelar Audrey Shindelar 6'0" | CG Stewartville | 2026 State MN , who recently committed to South Dakota State, has set the world on fire. Gradually, though, Danika is forging her own path. She is a crafty combo guard who can handle the basketball, distribute at a high level, and weave her way through traffic to score at the rim. She can also shoot the three-ball. Her defensive abilities are impressive, as well. Danika gained significant varsity experience last year and her confidence has spiked accordingly.