Breakdown Summer State: Senior Standouts

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July 1, 2026July 1, 2026By Admin
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Breakdown Summer State: Senior Standouts

For as long as I can remember, June has unofficially been known as “high school team” month. 

Baboucarr Ann
Photo: @shots.bychance

By that I mean most AAU directors, event promoters, and programs will take the month of June off to give players a chance to develop with their high school programs, rest, or both. With the two NCAA live scholastic periods having just past, there was limited time left for players to get in run with their high schools. 

Enter the Breakdown Summer State Tournament.

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Held at Concordia (MN) St. Paul’s gorgeous Gangelhoff Center, you forget that you’re at a D-II school when you’re taking in games. Given that Minnesota’s live period MBCA Showcase was an individual event, many participants didn’t have a chance to put in that work with their school squads and this provided them the opportunity against elite competition. Defending state champions Totino-Grace and Chaska highlighted an event that brought the vast majority of the Land Of 10,000 Lakes’ top programs under one roof for the two day event. 

With potential five star Ahmed Nur having made the move to defending EYBL Scholastic champ CIA Bella Vista (AZ), do-it-all swingmen Baboucarr Ann and Ty Schlagel sparked a heated debate as to who the top senior in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is, giving us a preview in their matchup on Wednesday afternoon. Having caught a number of the better players in the state during the live period, here’s a closer look at six seniors who shined with their high school programs at the 2026 Breakdown Summer State:

SG Baboucarr Ann, 6’5,  Maple Grove HS

Perhaps the most interesting prospect in the state due to his unique skill set, Ann brought his full arsenal in his matchup against Schlagel. The freakishly long wing put immense pressure on the rock, showed that he could run the show as an offensive playmaker, and exhibited why he easily is the most creative finisher at the rim in the state. Heading to Wisconsin next year, Ann brings two way ability and endless amounts of upside to the Badgers.

SF Ty Schlagel, 6’7, Cretin Derham Hall

Deciding to run with loaded Milwaukee based Team Herro in the EYBL, Schlagel hasn’t played a lot of basketball in Minnesota over the past few months but reminded everyone why he’s a big time prospect at Breakdown. Having added significant strength to his frame, the Nebraska recruit was much improved initiating the offense, played through contact in the paint, and utilized his size to exploit mismatches. With Nur making the move to Arizona, Schlagel did everything in his power to prove that he’s the top senior in the state with his play at Summer State.

PG Malachi Hill, 6’0, Totino-Grace HS, 2027

Arguably the best pure point guard in the state, Hill showed off some growth in his game during TG’s run at Breakdown. He was not only an improved shooter, but was much more confident letting it fly from the three-point arc. The heady lead guard was also a catalyst on the defensive end with his menacing ball pressure and quick hands. Having played varsity basketball since his middle school days and having been the lead guard on multiple state title teams, Hill will bring winning intangibles to his collegiate destination at the next level.

C Jack Thelen, 7’0, Maple Grove HS

The biggest player at the Breakdown Summer State didn’t put up massive numbers in his limited playing time, but showed the skills that will land him in the Big Ten next season.  The lefty seven-footer reminded us all that he is surprisingly skilled facing the basket with his court vision, ability to consistently shoot it from mid-range, and was an outstanding intangible guy hyping teammates up during Maple Grove’s blowout win. Similar to most true “footers”, there’s still work to do with Thelen, but he is certainly on the right trajectory with his continual improvement thus far.

SG Deon Wallace-Johnson, 6’3, Cretin Derham Hall HS

The best defender in the state of Minnesota lived up to his reputation for CDH, bringing energy that is hard to imagine at Breakdown. The lefty put immense pressure on the rock with his physical style of play, altered shots at the rim with his powerful leaping ability, and led by example with his relentless work ethic. Wallace-Johnson has all of the intangibles that coaches dream of out of a prospect and is truly going to blow up as he continues to develop as a shooter.

PF Bryce Gaustad, 6’8, Anoka HS

Having made massive strides in his game over the past year, Gaustad showed why he is one of the emerging names in the Land of 10,000 Lakes at Breakdown. He was nearly unstoppable once he got to his left shoulder, made plays for others passing from the perimeter, and was versatile enough to exploit mismatches. Having picked up a number of D-II offers over the past couple of weeks, Gaustad is one of the late blooming bigs to watch in Minnesota.

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