Ty Schlagel Interview + Scouting Report
Draftstack had the opportunity to do a live in-person interview with Minnesota’s top-ranked 2027 prospect, 6’7” Wing Ty Schlagel. Plus we dissect his profile and NBA possibilities.
Ty Schlagel #1 MN 2027
St. Paul, Minnesota
6’7” 2027 Wing - Cretin-Derham Hall High School - Howard Pulley Nike 17 EYCL/16U EYBL
Ty Schlagel is no stranger to being the top prospect in his home state of Minnesota. Ever since he’s bursted onto the AAU scene at the 14U level, it’s been no looking back and he’s remained at the top in the Minnesota 2027 class.
I first saw Ty Schlagel live as a 14U prospect for PJ Hoops 2027 and he was clearly in a top-tier of prospects in Minnesota and in the Midwest — with a profile that was among the best. His length, physical maturity, shooting stroke, transition play, and above-the-rim play and finishing ability was standoutish.
I think as a younger prospect Ty was in a league of his own, as far as having a complete and blemish-less profile compared to his peers. Most younger prospects have obvious deficiencies — and many times — a few deficiencies that need quick and/or consistent development in the upcoming high school years.
While his peers have naturally narrowed the gap, Schlagel is adapting and a few of his key advantages and separators are his basketball IQ, his locked-in focus on both ends, and his wildly impressive motor that is built on pure will, heart, and the love of the game.
#1 Ranked Junior in Minnesota Ty Schlagel
Video @freshcoasthoops
Recruiting
Recently took an unofficial visit to University of Nebraska over September 6-8 weekend.
Offers
University of Nebraska (July 2025)
University of Minnesota (September 2024)
University of Iowa (September 2024)
University of Wisconsin (September 2024)
High School
Schlagel attended Eden Prairie High School as a Freshman, then transferred to Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota for his Sophomore season.
(Freshman Season) Eden Prairie High School (2023-2024)
(27 games) 11.1 Points Per Game
(Sophomore Season) Cretin-Derham Hall High School (2024-2025)
2nd Place finish at 4A State Tournament, losing to Wayzata High School
Record: Overall 29-2 (17-1 Conference)
Schlagel selected Suburban East All-Conference
(26 Games) 18.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game (22 total), 11 total blocks
—Shooting stats—
Field goal (200-355) (56.3%)
Free Throw (42-50) (82.0%)
3-Point FG (28-85) (32.9%)
Game-by-game scoring and shooting statistics below
Cretin-Derham Hall & Schlagel’s (2025-2026) season outlook
The Raiders will have a different feel with 6’11” Notre Dame Freshman Tommy Aheman preparing for high-major D1 college ball. In turn, they did get in a couple significant transfer additions with 6’6” Wing/Forward 2028 Zeke Gilbert and 6’1” 2027 guard Isaac Feller joining the squad.
I’m unsure on how things will shake-out with the two additions, but Gilbert is considered a top-tier prospect in the Minnesota 2028 class, and I think he has HM D1/NBA upside, so he’s most certain to be a factor.
St. Thomas commit JoJo Mitchell will be counted on as a high usage scoring point guard and playmaking passer. Feller should mix in as well and Mitchell and Feller could play off of each other and exchange handling the ball. But I will say I would prefer the continuation of Mitchell being the primary and go-to ball-handler when he’s on the court. I don’t think you take him off of that role after a two-loss season.
Cretin-Derham Hall graduated 17.0 rebounds per game with Tommy Aheman and Monteff Dixon graduating, which will open up rebounding opportunities. I envision Schlagel getting a healthy piece of that rebounding pie that is left for the taking. I think he has a puncher’s chance at a 20+ point, 10 rebound double-double season. Gilbert should also be a strong rebounder with his length and insane verticality.
The Raiders will be a fun team this season. They will have to play small ball and get out and run the court, in my opinion. Defensively, they should pressure heavily, forcing a quick-paced atmosphere that should benefit them with their personnel.
—Ty Schlagel 2025-2026 Statistical Projection (Pts+Rebs)— 21.5 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game
Schlagel coming into the season with Elite conditioning and a foot-on-the-pedal transition player would be must-watch and scary for opposing teams.
2025 Offseason
Howard Pulley Panthers (May 2025-July 2025)
**Schlagel played for both Howard Pulley’s EYCL 17’s and their 16U EYBL team**
16U EYBL (4 games)
17.1 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game.
EYCL 17’s (9 games)
13.8 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, 0.3 blocks per game.
Nike Elite 100 Camp
Schlagel was invited and participated in the prestigious Nike Elite 100 Camp in St. Louis, Missouri this Summer. An invitation-only camp with a selection process of bringing in the top high school prospects. It was filmed and I was able to view three of his runs.
Ty was locked-in at the camp and gave detailed effort and a laser focus. I thought he maybe could have loosened up a little one of the games because it would have helped him play freely on the offensive end.
He wasn’t backing down from contact for the 50/50 balls off the rim. He was attacking the ball, working to power through for it.
His ability to handle and stop quick guards that were attacking him was impressive and was a slight surprise for me.
He didn’t score from the perimeter from what I viewed. But he played like a bull, crashed the boards, and had to be accounted for with a body.
Prep Hoops The Tune Up Highlights
Video: @STREETHISTORYVIDEOS
Ty Schlagel Scouting Report
Schlagel may quite honestly have the greatest on-the-court basketball IQ I’ve witnessed for a high school player. This aspect of his scouting report is what his entire game is built upon. His IQ feeds all other aspects of his game.
Along with his understanding of the game, he also shows World-class effort, a controlled intensity, and a competitive spirit.
He sees the game on both ends in a rarified air with his decision-making. His awareness of the entire action going on and how to respond and how to place himself is special. I think he processes the decision quickly, but the John Wooden quote, “Be quick, but don’t hurry”, reigns true with Schlagel. He takes that extra instance to make and gather the move physically to make the best decision after his mental processing is complete.
Schlagel’s versatility on both ends is quite obvious as well. He’s an offensive punisher at the rim, where he does much damage from, and he’s also a near 33% 3-point shooter, so he can’t just be left open. Defensively, he can contain and yet play close enough to contest guards on the perimeter. He can also get dirty and play physical with the Bigs. He pushes and plays with hands, and will hold a leg drive on the back of an opponent for as long as he can without fouling. He does as much maneuvering of his opponent as he can get away with to gain positioning for the ball. He’s not shoving or playing dirty, but he’s not letting up out there, that’s for sure. Looks for rebounding gaps and is consistently going for the ball off the rim at an impressively consistent rate.
Offensive Strengths
Turns and runs the floor instantly with a short burst up-court into a steady and constant speed.
Will timely crash the offensive glass and he comes up with a high percentage of offensive rebounds off the rim for putbacks.
Runs the floor well and wisely. He will turn on the jets when necessary in a full sprint and will also run smoothly to space the floor for the transition break.
A high-level (efficiency) finisher at the rim in a transition setting.
Values the basketball and offensive possession as a ball-handler and passer.
Can make blind skip passes from wing to opposite wing/corner wing.
Has a lethal rebound and push up the court game, where he immediately busts straight up-court and rifles a push-ahead pass to a moving teammate.
Offensive improvement opportunities
Extending 3-point shooting range
3-point making (increase percentage)
Self-creation as a shooter outside of the paint
First-step explosiveness
Defensive Strengths
Beyond Elite defensive IQ and execution.
Is highly aware of ball and man and his positioning relating to both.
Understands his opponents strengths and weaknesses and will guard differently from matchup to matchup.
Boxes out, moves bodies out and holds his ground. Gets into a bend to brace for contact and to be ready to jump for the rebound.
One of the best help defenders I’ve seen.
Tactical defender that is tough to score on 1-on-1.
**No defensive weaknesses of note**
Schlagel’s Approach, Effort, Mentality
I have found a respect for Ty and I think I’ve pinned down the nuances of it. Him being a top-ranked prospect and staying at the top has some weight for sure. But I think he brings a professionalism and seriousness about him. He can have fun and be a kid still, but he aims mostly and focuses on being successful in his endeavors, especially his basketball progression. I believe he thinks everything through and makes decisions based off of how it will affect his ability and chances of continuing to thrive and advance in his sport. It seems like he’s looking to plan for, adapt, and conquer every step in his career journey, by controlling the things he can control. The little things matter, and I think those go through his mind often.
His effort and bullish motor on the court bring fear and respect with it as well. He’s in search of the next playmaking opportunity for his team and will scan the court with the ball in possession with every intention on exploiting the defense. A true winning player playing from the wing, but he’s also a floor general and team leader.
NBA Thoughts & Discussion
Schlagel’s profile is one of the more interesting and challenging prospect profiles I’ve had to project to the NBA level. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll have a very good college career, but there’s more thought to be had with that final career step into the NBA with Schlagel. My thoughts on Ty’s NBA projection keep flipping back and forth.
A couple of my inner discussions and debates that are see-sawing his projection:
He’s not small, being maybe a tad under 6’7”, but he does a lot of his winning on the offensive boards and earning extra buckets that would most likely not be available to him at the NBA level, playing and challenging for the ball against the top defensive rebounding Bigs walking the Earth.
I’m finding it difficult to determine if he has the adequate lateral feet to contain and deter explosive and long wings and sudden guards off the dribble. His technique and focus might be the difference with that. His processing is top 0.01%, which also helps his case.
I think Ty has a shot at the peak of basketball in the World (NBA), and as mentioned , I think a lot of it boils down to his inner confidence, perseverance, and his determination to adjust as things transpire. With him being so highly-touted for so long in a state that is producing top talent more frequently, he may have built-up some inner workings of not being afraid of competition at the highest levels.
To reach the NBA and stick there, you need the physical standards and on-court potential and or/production of course — but you also need that mental aspect and that 1% mentality and confidence. You don’t see many unconfident NBA players that are hanging their heads and backing out of serious competitive environments. NBA players invite serious competition with confidence.
I believe Ty will have the opportunity to make a living playing the game of basketball. With a low-end range of being a highly valuable non-NBA professional/overerseas player and a ceiling of making a very good living as an NBA journeyman player that sticks in the league for 7-8+ years.
In my opinion, he will have to improve from the perimeter as a 3-point shooter with great shooting range to reach his ceiling. I think his 3-point shooting falling in the top 20% in the NBA for his position will be key. Also, as mentioned, his ability to defend Elite quickness on the perimeter and in transition is another determinant for him and his ceiling.
He’s not a guy that will come in and produce 17 points and haul in 7 rebounds the minute he’s thrusted into NBA-level competition. I think he would have a learning curve in how to approach the way he plays and how he would be able to “win” and be a steady player on the court. His catch-and-shoot three will need to develop into an easy and high percentage shot.
Looking ahead, Ty is going to have two highly productive seasons coming up at the high school level, so it will be no different for two more years with him. I also have a solid confidence that he will have a productive college career at the high-major D1 level.
In his first 2-3 college years I would like for him to really transform his body and get lean, strong, and athletic. Not necessarily lose weight, but tighten up his frame in general. An improved physique and a more springy and agile athleticism would change the game for him.
Being only a Junior in high school, there’s still a lot of time for Schlagel to make the necessary adjustments to reach the top of the sport. Stay tuned.