July is officially here.
Serving as the most important month for AAU basketball, it is the last go-around on the circuit for players who are entering their senior year. It is the final opportunity for many prospects to be evaluated in large group settings by college coaches. Scholarships are earned, and championships are won on the respective shoe circuits.
Furthermore, it offers many players the biggest platform that they’ll have to be evaluated by large groups of Division I coaches, as they simply don’t have the man hours to go observe every single player at their individual high schools.
With so much on line line, many teams opt to get a preparation game or two in before playing for all the marbles. Enter the Prep Hoops Tune-Up.
Held in Minneapolis, the Prep Hoops Tune-Up brought many of the top programs under one roof at Shakopee High School to get one last go-around before playing on the big stage. Teams crossed shoe party lines to get some run in against squads they wouldn’t usually face, new concepts were implemented, and fans came out for a standing room only atmosphere for some of the bigger games.
Having already touched on the standouts from the 17U level, here are a few under the radar prospects who shined as well as a number of underclassmen who you will be hearing from in the future from the Prep Hoops Tune-Up.
2029 Gio Horton just scored 48 points in a game that went down to the wire with Minnesota Fury. Elite scorer from all three levels, he’s got my vote for top incoming sophomore guard in the state. @PHCircuit #PHTuneUpMN pic.twitter.com/1yHASgxdJZ
— And-One Films (@AndOneFilms) July 3, 2026
PG/SG Gio Horton, 6’1, Phelps Falcons 15U, 2029
One of the more polished guards in Minnesota’s 2029 class, Horton put everyone on notice about how serious of a prospect he is with a 48-point outing on the event’s opening night. Horton is a constant threat from three point range, shows great patience playing out of ball screens, and has a variety of creative finishes at the rack. Horton’s play at The Tune-Up was a reminder that he’s a major prospect in Minnesota’s freshman class.
PG Owen Counce, 5’11, Gain Elite 17U, 2027
Matched up against a D-1 Minnesota squad that is loaded with top prospects with size, Counce didn’t back down one bit and rose to occasion. The heady lead guard showed his extreme confidence anytime he had the rock, in addition to his deep range, and utilized his speed to get into the lane and create for others. Once you get past his height, you see that Counce can hold his own game wise with any senior guard in the state of Minnesota.
PF Zeke Gilbert, 6’5, D1 Minnesota 16U, 2028
An energy guy with a high level of activity, Gilbert can really put his stamp on the game once he gets his motor going. The forward is a big time athlete who is a constant lob threat, capable of occupying defenders when he filled the lanes in transition, and showed potential defensively. Making the move to Hopkins to play for his old head coach James Ware (who has won a state title as a coach and was a D-1 player himself), Gilbert should have a level of familiarity at his new home for his junior campaign.
SG Paris Kyles Jr, 6’2, Gain Elite 15U, 2030
Playing up on the 15U level with Gain Elite, Kyles Jr. showed why he’s in the conversation for the best incoming freshman in the Land of 10,000 Lakes at The Tune-Up. The lanky guard was a reliable three-point shooter, got into the paint with straight line drives, and showcased his athleticism with a number of dunks in transition. Kyles will be playing in the two NCAA live periods in St. Louis and Memphis on the New Balance P32 circuit.
SF Jed Keenan, 6’6, D1 Minnesota 15U, 2029
The best wing in Minnesota’s 2029 class, Keenan showed that he is a constant scoring threat for D1’s 2029 group. The swingman is great relocating without the ball, is incredibly confident as a shooter, and is a surprisingly aggressive straight line driver when attacking the rim. Having already won a state title as a freshman, Keenan has firmly established himself as one to watch in the Midwest’s sophomore class.
PF Blake Betton, 6’4, Hoop Habits 17U, 2027
The top football recruit in the state of Minnesota, Betton also showed that he can change the dynamic of the game on the hardwood at The Tune-Up. He set absolutely massive screens, was a physical force on the glass on both ends, and didn’t back down against 7’0 Wisconsin bound Jack Thelen. Heading to Penn State for football next year, Betton’s strength, athleticism, and motor still make him a huge asset on the hardwood.
Editor’s Pick
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