UPDATED IOWA 2017 RANKINGS: Talking Points
With their 17U grassroots season on the horizon, we should see a spike in scholarship offers during the next three months for these juniors. The three months after that will be even more vital. No longer considered young prospects, the…
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Continue ReadingWith their 17U grassroots season on the horizon, we should see a spike in scholarship offers during the next three months for these juniors. The three months after that will be even more vital. No longer considered young prospects, the future is now for Iowa’s class of 2017.
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Talking Points
Iowa City West —
The amount of talent the Trojans have on their roster is mesmerizing. And their two junior guards check in a No. 1 and No. 3 once again in these rankings. Top-ranked Connor McCafferey committed to Iowa a year-and-a-half ago where he’ll play for his dad. And Devontae Lane was the star of the summer last year for the Barnstormers, proving he has takeover ability. Making matters more mind-blowing, Wali Parks and Tanner Lohaus are both top 5 in our latest 2016 rankings, and spoiler alert; Patrick McCaffery will be No. 1 when 2019 rankings are released in two weeks. That’s five top 5 guys on one team, yowser.
Kingdom Hoops vs Barnstormers —
Last offseason it was the Martin Brothers who rivaled perennial top-dogs Iowa Barnstormers for in-state supremacy at the 17U level. This season there’s no question who the best two teams are, Kingdom Hoops, and the ‘Stormers. Kingdom Hoops Elite boasts a bevy of stock-risers, including four guys in the top 10 (Jal Bijiek, Quinton Curry, Drew Maschoff, Douglas Wilson). The ‘Stormers have four top 10 guys of their own – including each of the top 3 (Connor McCafferey, Austin Phyfe, Devontae Lane).
Out of State? —
No other current class features any guys who play their grassroots ball in a different state – but for some reason the 2017 guys are different. Three guys — all in the top 15 — play their offseason ball with out-of-state teams. Garrett Franken plays with renowned St. Louis program Gateway Basketball Club. Jay Small is a mainstay with the esteemed Omaha Elite. And Trent Hilbrands plays his summer ball with South Dakota Attack. There was a similar situation in 2015 when Michael Jacobson played with MOKAN, and Marlon Stewart played with Team Rose – both went on to sign with high-majors; Nebraska and Creighton, respectively.
The Times They Are a-Changin’ —
Of the 181 ranked 2017s, only nine are classified as centers. It used to be their was five positions in basketball, each with definite roles on a team. But with the emergence of “small ball” popularizing at the NBA level, the effects are starting to show in high school. Guys who in the past would be happy to call themselves centers, are now power forwards, or stretch forwards — i.e. Austin Phyfe, Quintin Curry, Cade McKnight, and Austin Roetman. With the roles of true centers decreasing in college and pro ball, nobody wants to be left in the dust – so even the bigs are diversifying their games. Case-in-point; a true center doesn’t come into the rankings until Dike-New Hartford’s Ben Latusak shows up at No. 33.