Spring Tune Up: 20 Standouts Part I
Tajen Ross 6’2 G, ADM/Kingdom Hoops Select 17U (2017) The stock-riser is confident in his abilities, and rightfully so. He was terrific in a thrilling win over Nebraska Red Bison on Saturday afternoon, displaying a sweet outside stroke and hitting…
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Continue ReadingTajen Ross 6’2 G, ADM/Kingdom Hoops Select 17U (2017)
The stock-riser is confident in his abilities, and rightfully so. He was terrific in a thrilling win over Nebraska Red Bison on Saturday afternoon, displaying a sweet outside stroke and hitting a game winner on a gritty drive getting a bucket plus foul.
Dakota Rold 6’6 C, Exira-EHK/Tryon Gym (2019)
A classic hard-nosed big-man. Rold had a very nice freshman season with his varsity squad last winter, and will use his toughness, length and competitive nature to become one of the better bigs in Iowa over the next three seasons.
Mach Nyaw 5’11 G, Storm Lake/Kingdom Hoops 1 15U (2019)
Supreme athleticism and plus-length make this youngster a prospect to keep an eye on in northern Iowa. He was skying for rebounds (offensive too), and doing so exceptionally well from the guard spot. He was getting to the rim with great speed and finishing well while there.
Austin Phyfe 6’9 PF, Waverly-Shell Rock/Go-Hawks 17U (2017)
He’s already committed to UNI but being that he’s our 2nd-ranked 2017 we thought we’d write about him anyway. He was having his way at times in the paint against a good Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U squad, and once even bulldozed through a triple team for a bucket. His outside shot wasn’t dropping when we saw him, but it’s a positive that he’s continuing to try and develop on the perimeter.
Jacob Bahe 6’6 C, Waverly-Shell Rock/Go-Hawks 17U (2018)
An up-and-coming post in the Go-Hawk system, he played sparingly as a sophomore last season but could develop into a perfect compliment to Northern Iowa commit Austin Phyfe by next season. A tough and lengthy post who gets buckets.
Nathan Johnson 6’5 G/F, Waukee/Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U (2018)
Johnson was a key contributor off the bench as a sophomore with Waukee last season. Moving into his junior season he could develop into a star in the CIML. Great size, solid hops, and a developing mid-range and perimeter game make him a top prospect in 2018.
Tyreke Locure 5’9 PG, Des Moines North/Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U (2019)
What’s scary about Locure, is that even while playing up with the supremely talented 16U Elite group (his age group is 15U) he’s still the best player on the team. As the starting point guard he brings tight handles, an extraordinarily quick first step, and top-notch defensive instincts. Don’t let his non-nonchalant demeanor fool you, he’s elite.
James Betz 6’6 F, G-H-V/Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U (2019)
This was our first look at the freshman big-man, we learned he’s not exclusively a post guy, but rather a versatile inside/outside threat. He connected on multiple triples in the game we saw, and held his own at times against Northern Iowa commit Austin Phyfe. What’s most striking about the young prospect is his bounce, he’s got some serious ups.
Joe Weber 5’8 PG, Boyer Valley/Tryon Gym White 16U (2018)
We knew he had a remarkably good freshman and sophomore season at Boyer Valley, but we had never seen him play. High basketball IQ, nice handles and plus-shooting make him an elite scorer. He was the best player on Tryon Gym White in their win over Kingdom Hoops 1 16U.
TJ Schnurr 6’5 C, Bishop Garrigan/NCC Thunder 15U (2019)
It looks like Schnurr has the makings to become a dominant post in Iowa over the next three years. Last season as a freshman he averaged 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. His sheer size makes him formidable (plays bigger than 6’5), and his ability to move his game to the perimeter already exists and will get better.