With the regular season behind us and March Madness officially kicking off this week, it’s time to recognize some of the Minnesota natives that are excelling at the Division 1 level. Minnesota’s reputation as a hotbed for high school talent continues to grow with nearly 200 men and women currently playing D1 basketball, a quarter of them will be representing teams in this year’s NCAA tournaments. Here’s a look at the best of-the-best this season – a Minnesota All-American list if you will.
Women
The talent is simply off the charts on the women’s side. It features All-Americans, a national champion, multiple Conference Players of the Year, and potential WNBA draft picks. Minnesotans will also be prominently featured in this year’s NCAA tournament. Three of the four #1 seeds will rely on Minnesota talent in search of their one shining moment: Tessa Johnson – South Carolina, Gianna Kneepkens – UCLA, and Aaliyah Crump – Texas. In addition, the Gophers will be making their first tournament appearance since 2018 with a roster that features eight homegrown players. And anyone that watched last week’s Minnesota State High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament knows that the pipeline of high level college talent is not slowing down with the likes of Maddyn Greenway, Chloe Johnson, Jaliyah Diggs, Erma Walker, Morgan Mathiowetz, Vienna Murray, Amelia Mills, Maggie Dyer, Samantha Voll, Madeleine Hamiel, Pressley Watkins, Zaida Jenkins, the Ramlall sisters, the Wilson sisters, and the Shindelar sisters to name a few (ok that’s a lot but you get the point, there is a ton of talent in Minnesota).
1st Team
Olivia Olson – Michigan (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) – the leading scorer (19.2 ppg) and rebounder (6.2 rpg) for the high-powered Wolverines. Selected as a 1st team All-Big Ten performer and has been named an All-American by the Associated Press, USBWA, The Athletic, ESPN, and Sporting News. Is also a Wooden Award Finalist for the National Player of the Year.
Liv McGill – Florida (Hopkins) – this electric point guard had a sensational sophomore season, finishing 8th in the nation in scoring and 12th in assists, on her way to earning 1st team All-SEC honors. She set a school single-season scoring record with 697 points and was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and USBWA. McGill is one of only three players nationwide to average more than 20 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds per contest – the other two are future WNBA 1st round picks, Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame and Olivia Miles of TCU. That’s elite company.
Tessa Johnson – South Carolina (STMA) – moved into the starting lineup after two years of being a key reserve on Final 4 teams, including the 2024 National Champions, where she earned a spot on the All-Tournament team alongside the last 2 WNBA Rookies of the Year – maybe you’ve heard of them – Caitlin Clark and Minnesota’s own Paige Bueckers. Johnson earned 2nd team All-SEC honors this season while averaging 13 ppg and leading the league in 3-point shooting at 44%.
Gianna Kneepkens – UCLA (Duluth Marshall) – one of the nation’s elite shooters who could be the missing piece for a Bruin championship run. She surpassed the 2,000-point milestone for her career and joined the exclusive 40/50/90 club. Kneepkens shot 52% from the floor, 44% from 3, and an eye-popping 95% from the free throw line. She was named second team All-Big Ten Conference (still hard to get used to the fact that UCLA is in the Big Ten, but then again, I’m old enough to remember when the conference actually had 10 members, not 18, but I digress) and Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press.
Tori McKinney – Minnesota (Minnetonka) – the 6’0 sophomore guard emerged as the Gophers’ best player this season, leading the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and steals (2 spg). She earned 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors and was also named to the League’s All-Defensive Team.
2nd Team
Avery Koenen – NDSU (Montevideo) – 6’3 junior who led the Bison to the regular season crown in the Summit League. She was the League’s leading scorer (19.5 ppg) and rebounder (10.9 rpg) and was named the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. An outstanding student with a 4.0 GPA, she was also recognized as the Summit League Women’s Basketball Scholar of Championship. Koenen is one of 5 finalists for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award and was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press.
Jenna Guyer – UW Green Bay (Centennial) – the leading scorer (15.1 ppg) and rebounder (6.3 rpg) for the Horizon League champions who will open NCAA tournament play at Williams Arena against the Gophers. She was named the Conference Player of the Year, earned 1st Team All-Conference honors as well as a spot on the All-Defensive Team.
Nunu Agara – Stanford (Hopkins) – earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors after averaging 15.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg. She is one of just six Power 4 Conference players to average at least 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Amaya Battle – Minnesota (Hopkins) – a four-year starter who has helped lead the Gopher program back to national prominence. She is a jack-of-all-trades, scoring 11 ppg while leading Minnesota in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and assists (3.6 apg). One of only five active NCAA players with 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 500 assists in their careers. Named 3rd Team All-Big Ten and earned All-Defensive Team honors as well. Her next defensive assignment is likely to be the aforementioned Jenna Guyer. Should be fun to watch.
Kierra Wheeler – West Virginia (Robbinsdale Cooper) – after an outstanding career at Norfolk State, transferred to West Virginia for her final season and has been a key contributor to the nationally-ranked Mountaineers. She leads the team in rebounding (7.5 rpg) and is second in scoring (13.3 ppg). Was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in the Big 12.
3rd Team
Teresa Kiewiet – Lafayette (Mankato West) – junior guard earned 2nd Team All-Patriot League honors after leading the Leopards in scoring (16.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.1 rpg). With a 4.0 GPA, she was also named the Patriot League Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Madison Mathiowetz – South Dakota State (Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s) – has had an outstanding career for the Jackrabbits, playing in more than 130 games and being a key contributor on four consecutive conference championship teams. This season, she finished 2nd on the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg while shooting 40% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line. Was named 1st Team All Summit League and earned a spot on the Conference’s All-Tournament Team as well.
Mara Braun – Minnesota (Wayzata) – after missing much of the past two years due to injury, Braun is starting to regain the form that made her one of the premier markswomen in the Big Ten during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She surpassed 1,000 career points and steadily raised her scoring average to 11.5 ppg, ranking 3rd on the well-balanced Gophers who have all five starters averaging in double figures. Not surprisingly, she led the Gophers in free throw shooting at 92% but the 6’0 guard also led the team in blocked shots. For her efforts, she earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.
Marisa Frost – NDSU (Centennial) – excellent shooter who averaged 13.0 ppg for the Bison while hitting 41% of her 3-point attempts and 87% at the charity stripe. This earned her a spot on the All-Summit League 2nd Team.
Lily Fandre – Lehigh (Eagan) – the 6’2 senior forward averaged nearly 17 ppg for the Mountain Hawks, leading the Patriot League in scoring and being selected 1st Team All-Conference.
Honorable Mention
Aaliyah Crump – Texas (Minnetonka), Lilly Meister – Kansas (Rochester John Marshall), Addi Mack – Maryland (Minnehaha Academy), Sophie Hart – Minnesota (Farmington), Regan Juenemann – Omaha (Crosby-Ironton), Piper Carlson – Idaho State (STMA), Alayna Contreras – Middle Tennessee State (Hopkins), Ivane Tensaie – UTEP (Concordia Academy), Jocelyn Land – Montana (Holy Family Catholic), Amber Scalia – Miami of Ohio (Stillwater), Callin Hake – Nebraska (Chanhassen), Ronnie Porter – Wisconsin (Como Park), Alyssa Sand – St. Thomas (Albany), Hope Counts – Lipscomb (Providence Academy), Ja’Kahla Craft – Seton Hall (STMA), Kendall McGee – Creighton (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), Zahara Bishop – Seton Hall (Benilde-St. Margaret’s).
Men
While the men don’t have the depth of star power that the women do, there are plenty of players that have had outstanding seasons and some will be playing key roles for teams hoping to make a deep run in this year’s NCAA Tournament. It is worth noting that two of the preseason headliners, Jackson McAndrew – Creighton (Wayzata) and Pharrel Payne– Maryland (Park of Cottage Grove) missed most of the year due to injuries. One of the fun highlights on the men’s side this season is the fact that three players hit game-winning three pointers: Boden Kapke – Boston College (Holy Family Catholic), Nate Heise – Iowa State (Lake City), and Nasir Whitlock – Lehigh (DeLaSalle).
1st Team
Cam Carr – Baylor (Eden Prairie native who went to high school in Missouri) – athletic, 6’5 guard who thrilled the Baylor faithful with his poster dunks. Led the Bears in scoring at 19.0 ppg, good for 5th in the Big 12. Was named 3rd Team All-Big 12 and earned a spot on the Conference’s All-Newcomer Team as well. Named NABC 1st Team All-District and is a potential lottery pick in this summer’s NBA draft.
Nasir Whitlock – Lehigh (DeLaSalle) – led the Patriot League in scoring and finished in the top 20 nationally at 21.0 ppg. Shot an impressive 45% from 3-point range, including a remarkable, buzzer-beating half-court heave against Holy Cross that propelled the Mountain Hawks into the semi-finals of the conference tournament that they eventually won, securing an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Earned 1st Team All-Patriot League honors and was chosen MVP of the Conference Tournament. Selected NABC 2nd Team All-District and named a finalist for the Lou Henson Award presented to the top mid-major player in the country.
Terrence Brown – Utah (Columbia Heights) – led the Utes in scoring, assists, and steals. Ranked 4th in the Big 12 in scoring at nearly 20 ppg. Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors and was selected NABC 2nd Team All-District.
CJ O’Hara – UW Green Bay (Park Center) – led the Phoenix in scoring at 14.1 ppg and shot an impressive 57% from the floor. Scored in double figures in 26 games on his way to earning 3rd Team All-Horizon League honors.
Nolan Winter – Wisconsin (Lakeville North) – missed the latter part of the season with an injury but good news for Badger fans, he has been cleared to play in the upcoming NCAA tournament where Wisconsin has Final 4 aspirations. The sweet-shooting big man averaged 13.3 ppg and a team-leading 8.6 rpg.
2nd Team
Boden Kapke – Boston College (Holy Family Catholic) – had a solid first season in the ACC with the Eagles, averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Year was highlighted by a career high 25 points versus Virginia Tech and a game-winning three pointer against Pittsburgh.
Daniel Freitag – Buffalo (Breck) – had an incredible season for the Bison despite missing several games while in concussion protocol. Led the team in scoring (19.8 ppg) and assists (3.8 apg) while earning Honorable Mention All-Mid-American Conference and being selected NABC 2nd Team All-District.
J’Vonne Hadley – Louisville (Cretin-Derham Hall) – 6’6 wing is a veteran leader for the nationally ranked Cardinals. Averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg.
Tre Holloman – NC State (Cretin-Derham Hall) – senior guard started 26 games for the tournament-bound Wolfpack. Averaged 9.3 ppg, while shooting 41% from 3 and 81% from the line.
Greyson Uelmen – UND (Minnetonka) – redshirt freshman led the Fighting Hawks in scoring (16.8 ppg) and assists (2.4 apg) and earned 2nd Team All-Summit League honors and a spot on the League’s All-Newcomer Team. He capped off his season in remarkable fashion, scoring 93 points on 71% shooting, leading UND to a surprise runner-up finish in the conference tournament.
3rd Team
Eli King – UND (Caledonia) – 6’3 guard finished his career in style by earning 2nd Team All-Conference honors and being named the Summit League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Averaged 11.9 ppg and finished 6th all-time in school history with 162 steals.
Andy Stefonowicz – NDSU (Minnetonka) – heady point guard who helped the Bison earn the Summit League’s automatic berth to the NCAA tournament by defeating archrival UND (and his high school teammate Uelmen) in the championship game of the conference tournament. Led the Summit League in assists at nearly 5 per game and shot 39% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line. Had a pair of point/assist double doubles and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
Isaac Asuma – Minnesota (Cherry) – started all 32 games and nearly doubled the production from his freshman season. Averaged 11.1 ppg , 4.0 rpg, and 3.8 apg for an injury-riddled Gopher team that surprised many basketball observers in their first season under head coach Niko Medved.
Alonzo Dodd – App State (South St. Paul) – senior guard was a stat sheet stuffer averaging 13.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 4.1 apg. Finished 5th in the Sun Belt Conference in assists and despite being just 6’1, ranked in the top 25 in rebounding. This helped him earn 3rd Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
Kyle Jorgensen – Colorado State (Minneapolis Washburn) – versatile big man who had an outstanding sophomore season for the Rams. Finished second on the team in both scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (4.1rpg).
Honorable Mention
Braeden Carrington – Wisconsin (Park Center), Cam Heide – Texas (Wayzata), Grayson Grove – Minnesota (Alexandria), Chase Whatley – Wofford (Totino-Grace), Cash Chavis – UT Arlington (Park Center), Carter Bjerke– St. Thomas (Wayzata), Isaiah Johnson-Arigu – St. Thomas (Totino-Grace), Logan Kinsey – Denver (Spring Lake Park), Anthony Smith – UND (Hopkins), Chase Thompson – Clemson (Alexandria), Nate Heise – Iowa State (Lake City), Will Tschetter – Michigan (Stewartville), Joshua Ola-Joseph – Loyola Chicago (Osseo), Cody Pennebaker – Lamar (Park Center), Ja’Sean Glover – Omaha (Madelia), Cade Haskins – William & Mary (DeLaSalle), Prince and Rolyns Aligbe – Southern Illinois (Minnehaha Academy).
Let March Madness begin – Minnesota style!
About the Author
As Hoop Habits’ media contributor, Roger Johnson brings decades of basketball expertise to his articles. Having served as a marketing executive at Wells Fargo & Company and a content writer for Ultimate Hoops, Roger’s true passion has always been basketball. With experience as a collegiate player at Moorhead State University, coach, and parent of successful players, Roger offers unique insights into the game. His dedication shows through his Minnesota Timberwolves season tickets, University of Minnesota basketball support, and attendance at over 3,000 basketball games throughout his lifetime.