The NCAA Live period is nearly upon us. With the evaluation period for college coaches limited to one weekend this spring (May 15-17), there has yet to be an opportunity for unsigned seniors, as well as members of the classes of 2027-2029, to get in front of Division I coaches. In preparation for the live period, several events are taking place throughout the country, and there was nothing better in the upper Midwest than the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes.
Held throughout Minneapolis, the Battle at the Lakes brought teams together from every shoe circuit, creating a competitive balance between circuit teams and independent squads. The Minnesota-based company featured over 100 teams in each of the 15U-17U divisions from throughout the region. Ultimately, it was Adidas 3SSB power D1 Minnesota that ran the table, going undefeated in the 16U and 17U age divisions.
Prep Hoops founder Nick Carroll (who doubles as a state champion coach at Twin Cities power Totino-Grace) and his staff assembled an outstanding event that blended names that we wanted to evaluate with new names emerging on the radar.
Having already examined Graysen Becker, Jaeden Udean, Deon Wallace-Johnson, and Vincent Cronin, the top performers from the event, here are the remaining 2027 prospects who left a strong impression at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes:
Baboucarr Ann, 6'5", SG, D1 Minnesota 17U, 2027
Considered by many as the top rising senior in Minnesota, Baboucarr Ann showed what makes him such a unique prospect at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes. The lanky swingman can initiate the offense as a ball-handler, is one of the more unique finishers in the Midwest due to his long arms, and is unselfish, making plays for others. Already owning countless high-major offers, Babou’s ceiling will be directly related to the improvements that he makes in his jump shot.
Tyler Forrest, 6’1", PG, D1 Minnesota 17U, 2027
Having played varsity since his middle school days, Tyler Forrest's high-level experience was evident in Minneapolis. He does a great job of keeping defenders on his hip, uses his body well in pick-and-roll play, and was great at distributing the rock. The state champion point guard is certainly carrying over his momentum from the high school season to the adidas 3SSB circuit.
Jiech Jiech, 6'5", SG/SF, Gain Elite P32 17U, 2027
A staple of consistency during the high school season, Jiech Jiech was in attack mode any time that he had the ball for Gain Elite at Prep Hoops. The long-armed wing is a three-level scorer, plays through contact, and is a threat to score virtually anywhere on the floor. Jiech’s level of aggression should certainly help him put up numbers during the live period in the New Balance P32 league.
Kellen Troup, 6'7", SF, D1 Minnesota 17U, 2027
One of the fastest-rising players in Minnesota’s class of 2027, Kellen Troup made an impact with his game-changing athleticism at Prep Hoops. He played above the rim on both ends of the floor, showed off an explosive first step, and knocked down open threes. Troup is just scratching the surface of the player that he can become, but he is certainly making strides in the right direction.
Luke Schroeder, 6'3, SG, Hoop Habits 17U, 2027
Arguably the best shooter in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Luke Schroeder was on an absolute heater against Martin Brothers at the Battle at the Lakes. He was great relocating without the ball, has NBA range, and can make you pay if you run him off the line. Schroeder’s ability to stretch the defense and get shots off in a hurry immediately supplants him as one to watch during the live period.
Charlie Hoel, 6'10", C, Wisconsin Playmakers P32 17U, 2027
An incredibly agile big man, Charlie Hoel is a coach's dream because of the fluidity and upside he can potentially bring down the line. Hoel covers ground in a hurry defensively with his length, is a presence at the rim on both ends, and impacted the game far more than the box score suggested. Already owning an offer from Northern Illinois, Hoel is definitely a prospect to watch in the Midwest throughout his senior campaign.
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