UPDATED 2017 Rankings: Breakdown
Highest Debuts
Marshawn Yarbrough
No. 79 Jake Meyer (Johnston) — We saw this Johnston power forward play during the Urbandale Team Camp, and he was impressive. Just another feather in the cap of the ultra-talented Dragons.
No. 92 Marshawn Yarbrough (Iowa City West) — He may get lost in the shuffle a bit playing on the state’s most talented squad, but Yarbrough is one of 2017’s most athletic guards.
No. 127 Austin Hinkle (Valley) — He could be the replacement for 2016 point guard Turner Scott at Valley, though there’s many vying for the opportunity. And he was a steady hand at the Drake Team Camp in June.
No. 156 Avery Brun (Sioux City West) — The sharpshooting 6-foot-1 guard averaged 8 points last season and connected on 42.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
No. 165 Maleik Jackson (CR Washington) — He was sensational when we saw him at the Hardwood Classic in Lawrence,KS, and has a chance to be a starter on a Cedar Rapids Washington team that could turn some heads this season.
No. 166 Jackson Helmers (Algona) — When he scored 25 points in the first half during a Norwalk Team Camp game, he was promptly put on “the list”
No. 203 Tanner Schminke (Boone) — We first saw him last winter when he helped propel Boone to an upset win over ADM in a district semifinal. He will be instrumental to the Toreadors’ success this season.
No. 210 Joe Lathrum (Dowling) — The Dowling power forward was outstanding this spring and summer with All Iowa Attack Black. He won’t star with the Maroons, but he’ll play his role and be a consummate team player.
‘Stormers on Top….
It’s no secret that the ‘Stormers have been the most successful grassroots program in Iowa the past several years. And the 2017 group is carrying them along nicely. They have taken control of the top-4 spots, and have solidified themselves as Alphas once again. Connor McCaffery has always been at the top, and Devontae Lane and Austin Phyfe have been interchangeable at No. 2 and No.3, respectively. The Emergence of Bailey Basala this summer (eight Division I offers), catapulted him to to No.4. Barnstormers reign supreme again.
Big Things, Small Packages
We all know that tall guys rule hoops. But that’s not to say that little guys can’t be dominant too. And though the top of the rankings are littered with giants, there are some sub 6-foot guys who rank among the best too.
No. 13 Joe Smoldt (5’11)
No.24 Levi Jungling (5’9)
No. 33 Kelvin Miller (5’11)
No. 37 Drew Johnson (5’11)
No. 42 Joey Kern (5’10)
Top 25 Grassroots Breakdown
Barnstormers — 7 (McCaffery, Lane, Phyfe, Basala, Smoldt, Kinrade, McKnight)
Kingdom Hoops — 6 (Bijiek, Wilson, Curry, Maschoff, Crowley, Ross)
All Iowa Attack — 4 (Hill, Roetman, Techau, Kramer)
Martin Brothers — 3 (Jones, Dentlinger, Allen)
Shoot It! — 2 (Jungling, VanWyk)
Omaha Elite — 1 (Small)
Gateway Basketball Club — 1 (Franken)
South Dakota Attack — 1 (Hilbrands)