September Happenings
AJ Green picks up High-major Offer
It was just a matter of time, and we’re not surprised in the least that the slick Cedar Falls point guard picked up a high-major to add to his existing low to mid-major offers. Green was at times stunningly good this spring, first with the Tigers at the state tournament, and then playing with one of the nation’s best 16U squads, Iowa Barnstormers. He’ll dazzle more over the next 12 months, and more high-majors should come calling.
Trent Hilbrands to NAIA Northwestern
What a pick up for this in-state NAIA program. Hilbrands had been seeing some Division II interest come his way, but decided to end his recruitment early and pledge to the Red Raiders. The burly 6’1 point guard was magnificent last season while averaging 23.9 points, 4.5 assists and 9.0 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.
Keith Johnson and Dylan Jones Dazzle at Expo
We never know quite what to expect when we head into our fall showcase. Two years ago a very young and undiscovered trio of Sam Ingoli, Joe Wieskamp and AJ Green all made their mark. Last year Charley Crowley and Doug Wilson put on some eye-opening performances. This year, without question, belonged to a pair of long and athletic wings. Dylan Jones is a 6’7 sophomore small forward who could be special for Waukee. Keith Johnson has gone from a role player as a sophomore with Dubuque, Hempstead to a potential Division I prospect. They owned the day.
Xavier Foster Receives Hawkeye Offer
This all happened very quickly, and as it is this 6’9 Oskaloosa freshman has himself a Big Ten offer before he’s even played a lick of high school basketball. It’s the earliest Iowa coach Fran McCaffery has offered an in-state player, so he definitely sees something in the lanky and versatile forward. Foster worked out for Hawkeyes assistant Sherman Dillard, and less than a week later McCaffery made the trip down to Oskaloosa and offered the freshman prospect that night. Foster will debut atop our 2020 rankings that will be released early next year.
Tyreke Locure Works out for In-state Programs
Things are starting to heat up for Des Moines North phenom Tyreke Locure. The 5-foot-10 point guard with uncanny instincts attended Nebraska’s invite only elite camp last month. And this month he worked our for Hawkeyes coaches Fran McCaffery and Sherman Dillard in Des Moines. Soon after, he — along with some other Polar Bears — worked out for Iowa State staffers. By this time next year expect the slick 2019 point guard to have some D1 offers.
Abe Kinrade Commits to Air Force
After starting his Iowa Barnstormers career last offseason, Kinrade had himself a pretty decent 2016 spring and summer. Becasue of that he was able to snare a trio of D1 offers from Army, North Dakota and Air Force. The 6-foot-7 wing thought it best to head to Colorado Springs, where he’ll join forces with Des Moines Christian 2016 Keaton Van Soelen. Former Drake coach Kurt Kanaskie is an assistant on the Falcons’ staff – so there’s your Iowa connection.
Truman State Picks up a Pair of 2017s
Two top 2017s committed to Missouri D2 Truman State this month. First was South Hamilton 6’4 small forward Collin Hill. He was a top-3 guy in the class before he sustained a serious leg injury after his freshman season. Hill has done a nice job of recovering from the injury, and Truman State landed a good one with him. The other commit is Ankeny Centennial’s 6’4 sharpshooter Connor Kasperbauer. His pure and fluid stroke makes him lethal from deep. Nice work here by the Bulldogs.
Sam Allen Receives D2 Offer
Grinnell sharpshooter Sam Allen has one of the purest shots in the state, and pairs much-improved ball-handling and court-vision with it. Iowa’s only D2 program Upper Iowa recognized that, and offered the versatile senior late this month. In our opinion, Allen should have had several D2 offers by now – it would be a great get for the Peacocks should he commit.