State champion Huron and runner-up Sioux Falls Lincoln headline the Class AA boys basketball all-state first team, as selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association.

Huron, which won its first state championship since 2004, landed Blake Ellwein on the first team. Lincoln’s Sam DeGroot and Brody Schafer also landed on the first team. 

Tea Area’s Gavin Shawd, Harrisburg’s Stellen Larson and Watertown’s Carter Buisker were also first-team selections. 

DeGroot, a 6-foot-7 forward, was named the Class AA player of the year earning the most all-state votes. DeGroot averaged 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season, leading the Patriots to a 23-1 record. The future Augustana Viking also earned the Spirit of Su award at the Class AA state tournament and was named the Gatorade South Dakota player of the year for the 2025-26 season. DeGroot finished his career with 1,001 points.

Sioux Falls Lincoln's Sam DeGroot attacks the basket during a Class AA state tournament game against Tea Area on March 19, 2026, in Rapid City. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

Ellwein, a 6-foot-10 guard, averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. The three-time all-stater ended his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,535). Ellwein’s point total is also the eighth most in Class AA boys basketball history. Ellwein will play basketball at South Dakota State University next season.

Shawd, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, makes his first appearance on the all-state list leading the Titans to its first-ever Class AA state tournament this season, taking seventh place. Shawd averaged 21.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his junior campaign.

Larson, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, averaged 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season, guiding the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the Class AA state tournament. Larson will play basketball at Dakota State University next season.

Buisker, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, led the Arrows to a consolation championship this season. Buisker averaged 18.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in his senior campaign.

Watertown's Carter Buisker drives to the basket during a Class AA state tournament game against Harrisburg on March 19, 2026, in Rapid City. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

Schafer, a 6-foot junior guard, facilitated the Lincoln offense all the way to the Class AA state championship game averaging 9.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game this season.

Schafer is making his second appearance on the all-state team, earning second team honors last year. Schafer is committed to play football at South Dakota State University.

The complete Class AA all-state boys basketball teams are listed below:

Class AA

First Team

Sam DeGroot, SF Lincoln, 6-7, sr., F (20.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game)

Blake Ellwein, Huron, 6-10, sr., G (22.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.1 apg)

Gavin Shawd, Tea Area, 6-1, jr., G (21.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 apg)

Stellen Larson, Harrisburg, 6-3, sr., F (14.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.7 apg)

Carter Buisker, Watertown, 6-3, sr., G (18.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg)

Brody Schafer, SF Lincoln, 6-0, jr., G (9.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 6.3 apg)

Second Team

Colton Smith, Mitchell, 6-5, sr., G-F (17.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3 apg)

Davis Chase, Huron, 6-8, jr., F (15.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 apg)

Ayuel Deng, Brandon Valley, 6-3, sr., G (13.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg)

Sam Ericsson, SF Lincoln, 6-3, sr., G (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg)

Colby Nuttbrock, SF Jefferson, 6-5, jr., F (19 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.9 apg)

Grifin Wiebenga, Tea Area, 6-4, jr., F (16.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Honorable Mention

Jackson McClemans, Watertown, 6-5, sr., G-F (14.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.0 apg)

Mason Clark, O'Gorman, 6-0, sr., G (13.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 3.3 apg)

Memphis Bylander, SF Roosevelt, 6-5, sr., F (11.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.2 apg)

Justin Bilal, SF Roosevelt, 6-5, sr., F (10.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.6 apg)

Hayden Rock, Sturgis, 5-11, sr., G (21.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Bergan Tetzlaff, Brookings, 6-6, sr., F (15.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.2 apg)

• Player of Year — DeGroot.

• Repeat Selections — 2025 (Ellwein and Ericsson, first team; Schafer, Smith and Wiebenga, second team; 2024 (Ellwein and Smith, first team).