Welstad is the next big thing in North Dakota basketball. She should be a 1st-Team All-State selection in 2027 and will have a fantastic opportunity to lead Bismarck Century on a late post-season run. She is a complete floor general and dominates whatever facet of the game she needs to. If opposing teams take away her scoring, she dominates with her passing. If they are able to get her into foul trouble, she can ease back her defensive pressure and tear up opponents on the offensive side of the ball. She has multiple Division 1 offers already and I expect her list of interested schools to explode in the coming years.

Kaylie Welstad Kaylie Welstad 5'8" | PG Bismarck Century | 2029 State ND is the next big thing in North Dakota girls basketball and already holds two Division 1 scholarship offers from North Dakota State University and University of South Dakota. I am hard-pressed to recall a player that completely dominates all facets of the game, taking only what the defense gives her and always finding a way to make winning plays. If they try to take away her scoring, she turns to her passing and vice versa. She is an incredible ball-handler and defender. Her competitive nature is apparent on the court and she has great athleticism. I predict Kaylie receiving a ton of attention this summer and earning herself some more Division 1 scholarship offers.

Welstad is an extension of her head coach both figuratively and literally. She is having an outstanding first varsity season playing for her dad at Century. She likely would have been playing varsity earlier if Bismarck Public Schools allowed middle school athletes to be pulled up. She is an excellent defender and oftentimes guards opposing teams’ best player. She is one of the best two-way players in the state, regardless of grade or class. She is currently averaging 12.7 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 steals. She has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.13(!) and 52 deflections on the year.

Kaylie is incredibly skilled for her age.  She has the ball on a string and is super steady with the rock.  She has great footwork and is very competitive.  She shoots the ball well and has a great basketball mind.  Welstad also received offers from USD and NDSU along fellow 2029 Thorton. These two are going to be special players and are going to make Century tough to beat the next four years.