The 2026 Grassroots season has reached its conclusion. While the Grassroots game has changed a ton in recent years, the end objectives are still the same. Let's take a look at some players who I feel helped their recruiting stock the most.
Biggest Stockriser: Matthew Johnson (St. Louis Park) - Minnesota Fury Zurn
Johnson is the 1 name on this list that wasn't a known scholarship guy before the summer season. He got off to a great start at the Comets Shootout and made himself one of the most coveted D2 prospects in the Minnesota 2027 class. Made his mark attacking the rim, shoots it well enough and has prototype size and athleticism on the wing.
Other Top Stockrisers:
Malachi Hill (Totino-Grace) - D1 Minnesota. The state champion point guard was D1 Minnesota's most consistent player during the season. He was very productive in their 3rd place run at the Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road championships. That included 26 points in the 3rd place game. He picked up a handful of division 1 offers from his play. The latest being a mid-major offer from Northern Iowa.
Bryce Gaustad (Anoka) - Northstar Titans. The skilled big man was on a bunch of D2 radars and played his way into a major target for the NSIC. Then he took it up a notch in July. That resulted in an offer from North Dakota.
Kobby Sambrew (Prior Lake) - Minnesota Fury Goring. The athletic forward has long had the physical gifts. This summer his productivity made him a major NSIC target. Too big and strong for guards, too quick for many bigs at the high school level. Reminds me of former Osseo star Josh Ola-Joseph.
Luke Schroeder (Shakopee) - Hoop Habits UA Rise. The Sabers guard was the top guy for Hoop Habits all season. He's sneaky athletic and one of best shooters in the class with deep range. That allows him to be a guy who can score in bunches. Also has a competitive edge to him. Another priority target for the NSIC.
Nick Taylor (Lanesboro) - Minnesota Lightning Ellerbusch. Taylor really broke out at the Great Plains Alliance in June. Thanks to being a small school he's a bit a hybrid at about 6'8. Plays a ton of wing on offense but has to be an interior guy defensively. Add in his bounce and he's a major matchup problem during the high school season which leads to huge numbers. But it was the defensive presence blocking shots at the GPA that really stuck out. St. Cloud State jumped in quickly and got him to commit.
Honorable Mentions:
Gavyn Lorenson (Lake City) - WI Playmakers P32 (Committed to MN-Duluth)
Asher Wieberdink (Central Minnesota Christian) - SW Minnesota Stars
Ayden Green (Minnehaha) - Sizzle MHC
Owen Counce (Osseo) - Gain Elite
Shay Jackson (Totino-Grace) - Minnesota Select Fuerte (Committed to Concordia-St. Paul)
