Iowa’s Most Versatile Wings
The Cleveland Cavaliers just won the NBA title behind a legendary performance from LeBron James. His versatility — on both ends of the floor — was on full display throughout the series, particularly the final three games. In honor of…
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Continue ReadingThe Cleveland Cavaliers just won the NBA title behind a legendary performance from LeBron James. His versatility — on both ends of the floor — was on full display throughout the series, particularly the final three games. In honor of the “The King,” we’ve compiled a list of some of Iowa’s most versatile threats. Of course, we’re not comparing these high school kids to LeBron, but they are dominant in their own domain.
2017 Solomon Clayton, Fort Dodge (6’4 SF)
A fiery competitor, Clayton plays angry. He’s an athletic wing with some serious bounce, and will throw down some monster jams this winter for the Dodgers. And though the Fort Dodge senior-to-be prefers to score from putbacks or off-the-dribble, he can step out and hit a triple if need be.
2017 Quinton Curry, Valley (6’6 SF)
The Valley star is perhaps the closest thing we have in Iowa to a mini-Lebron. He pairs a huge and broad frame with some high-flying athleticism, and has an ability to take his man off the dribble or hit a triple. His bread-and-butter though is using his great size to be a versatile threat, particularly from 10-feet and in against smaller opponents.
2018 Sam Ingoli, Dowling (6’4 G)
What this Dowling superstar thrives on is his good size and innate court awareness. Ingoli is a big guard who sees the floor better than almost anyone in the state. And he’s got a big enough frame to body his opponents and hamper them defensively, or create mismatches offensively. He can step out and hit a deep ball too.
2018 Nathan Johnson, Waukee (6’6 SF)
This athletic and big wing is becoming increasingly skilled, and could soon become a superstar in Iowa. He’s got great size, and can jump out of his shoes. Like everyone else on the list, Johnson is an all-around player, and can step out and hit a 3, but will bang down low too. Look for this this bouncy small forward to make a big splash next season with the Warriors.
2017 Collin Hill, South Hamilton (6’4 SF)
I actually used the word Lebron’ing to describe this guys skill-set last weekend at the Grand View Team Camp – so he was a shoo-in for this article. The athletic and highly competitive small forward is not much of a threat from deep, but scores in bunches from inside 10-feet. Often bullying his way into the lane to get looks near the rim.
2019 Trey Hutcheson, Linn-Mar (6’5 SF)
A big, strong and bruising forward, Hutcheson is a bull who takes full advantage of his broad frame. He may not be polished out on the perimeter yet, and is certainly more of a forward than a guard. But who needs to be polished on the perimeter when you can do whatever you want from 15-feet and in? Hutcheson has been a stud this spring with the Iowa Barnstormers 15U squad.
2017 Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West (6’5 G)
The Iowa Hawkeye commit is more of a point guard than a small forward, but we classify him as a combo guard. Still, the sharpshooting and great-sized senior-to-be — though more finesse than power– has a big and tall enough frame to have his way against smaller guards and forwards he plays against at this level.
2018 Elijah Hazekamp, Bishop Heelan (6’5 SF)
Versatility and grit are Hazekamp’s best traits. He averaged 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds last season as a sophomore for the Crusaders, and was efficient shooting 50 percent from the floor. One area where Hazekamp really thrives is at the free throw line, where he shot 82.4 percent last season.