The NCAA’s June Scholastic “Live Period” has come and gone. For those not familiar, following the NCAA Scandal of 2017-18, the NCAA opened up two weekends in June for D1 programs to evaluate high school players. The sanctioned events must be in “scholastic” settings, as players cannot participate as AAU teams. Some states require players to play with their high school teams, whereas others such as Minnesota, bring in the top individual players from bordering states for a showcase. While this format doesn’t necessarily give as many players the opportunity to be seen by division one programs, it truly brings the best of the best together.
Held at legendary Minnesota power Hopkins High School (Minnetonka Minn.), the MBCA Showcase offered the top 2026, 2027, and 2028 players from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota the chance to be evaluated. Over 100 colleges were in the building for the two day event and not coincidentally, no shortage of scholarships were given out in the coming days since the event ended.
Here are a number of the underclassmen who caught our eye at the 2025 MBCA Showcase:
Baboucarr Ann, 6’5, SG/SF, Maple Grove HS (MN), 2027
One of the elite players in a loaded 2027 Minnesota class, “Babou” Ann showed that he’s right there at the top. The lanky wing plays with a motor that doesn’t stop, is a vastly improved creator off the bounce, and constantly produced at a high rate on both ends of the court. Playing up with D1 Minnesota 17U on the 3SSB circuit, Ann showed that he could hold his own against older competition and was offered by Iowa State shortly after the MBCA Showcase.
Ahmed Nur, 6’9, SF/PF, Hopkins HS (MN), 2027
There hasn’t been a player in the state of Minnesota who has helped themselves more in the past 12 months than Ahmed Nur, a 6-foot-9 combo forward from powerhouse Hopkins. Having played JayVee as a freshman, you could see the upside, but as he grew four more inches, his confidence followed. The rising junior has an absolute feathery jumper that he can shoot with his feet set or off the bounce, is learning how to utilize his size on both ends, and is a presence as an offensive rebounder. Sure, he needs to get stronger, but that hasn’t stopped high major programs from putting scholarships on the table for him.
Mustafa Mohamed, 6’10, PF/C, South St Paul HS (MN), 2027
Another uber-talented big who can play both inside and out, Mohamed was definitely the most agile big of the underclassmen that we evaluated at the MBCA Showcase. The super agile rising junior is elite running the floor, is a formidable shot blocking presence, and is incredibly comfortable playing facing the basket despite approaching nearly 7-feet. While Mohamed already owns high major D1 offers, he is just scratching the surface of his immense talents.
Ichima Idoko, 6’7, SF, DeLaSalle HS (MN), 2028
One of the fastest rising players in the Midwest Region, Idoko showed all onlookers why he is the top 2028 in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The lefty forward is a consistent 3-point shooter, utilizes his length on both the perimeter and the interior on the defensive end, and is just beginning to scratch the surface on how good he can become while growing into his body. Idoko recently received an offer from Arizona State and will have plenty more coming in the live period running with Grassroots Sizzle on the Adidas 3SSB circuit.
Kamar Thomas, 6’4, SG/PG, DeLaSalle HS (MN), 2027
As far as rapidly ascending players are concerned, Thomas has helped himself this spring just as much as anyone in the state of Minnesota. Putting up monster numbers with Gain Elite in the New Balance P32 League, the lanky guard continued his strong play at the MBCA Showcase. Thomas is a lockdown defender, an elite finisher in transition, and is constantly improving as an outside shooter. Having played varsity since his middle school days, Kamar has no shortage of experience and just keeps getting better each time I see him.
Malachi Hill, 6’0, PG, Totino-Grace HS (MN), 2027
Despite just wrapping up with his sophomore campaign, Hill proved that he is one of the more cerebral lead guards in Minnesota and reminded onlookers of that at the MBCA Showcase. Having played varsity since he was a middle schooler, he has no shortage of experience running the show and the athletic catalyst has become much more confident as a scoring threat. The younger brother of former Ohio State playmaker P.J. Hill already owns D1 offers and will be running the show for Howard Pulley 16U in Augusta for the Nike Peach Jam.
