McKenna Hofschild
McKenna Hofschild is an ELITE 150 Watch List player in the 2019 class. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
The first time we got a chance to evaluate McKenna Hofschild, the 5-foot-2 point guard from Prior Lake, Minnesota, was 2014 at the inaugural Check Me Out Showcase in Minneapolis. Her game spoke volumes to her size not limiting her impact.
Fast forward nearly four years exactly and the sparkplug lead guard is headed to the Big East with her commitment to Seton Hall. She chose Seton Hall over Boston College, Denver, Montana State and Northern Iowa.
While all players have limitations or weaknesses, Hofschild is a prospect that really puts your evaluation skills to the test but what she does so outweighs the size concerns with her ability to create.
“We have never had anyone in the 12 years of our program who changes the dynamics of the game and is as impossible to guard as McKenna,” Nick Storm, director of the Minnesota Fury club program, said. “Despite her size she is one of the best defensive rebounding point guards I have seen. And when she gets those rebounds, we tend to get easy transition baskets.”
Hofschild is shifty, explosive and can elevate to score. She is also a gifted passer who can make you pay for giving early help by finding teammates. Her speed and bounce are special, something that should allow her to make an impact at Seton Hall.
“Seton Hall ended up the best fit from a basketball and academic standpoint,” Hofschild said. “(Coach) Tony (Bozzella)and his assistants really believe in me and are confident in me being a standout player in the Big East.”
Hofschild hears about her size all the time. It’s that doubt from others that helps fuel her fire to be that much better.
“So many coaches have doubted me and written me off due to my size and that has only made me work harder and want to be better,” Hofschild said. “It’s not size that matters, it’s heart.”
Heart is something Hofschild has plenty of and it will be something the Pirates will learn to love.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNEDevents. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
