Best of the Best: Iowa’s All-Class Top 30 (10-6)
With game action officially starting next week across the state, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rollout a best of the best list. Sure, each class has its own rankings, but we’re kicking it up a notch and consolidating the…
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Continue ReadingWith game action officially starting next week across the state, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rollout a best of the best list. Sure, each class has its own rankings, but we’re kicking it up a notch and consolidating the 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 classes to create an all-class look of Iowa’s finest hoopsters. Below is Part V of Iowa’s 30 best.
10-6
10. Douglas Wilson, 6’6 PF, Des Moines Hoover (2017)
Kingdom Hoops program director Jake Sullivan might have summed it up best during our recent interview with when he said: “He’s got this incredible nose for the ball and is the best rebounder I’ve ever seen, period. I’ve been doing this stuff for 12 years in the AAU basketball world, playing in college, playing on the Nike circuit when I was in high school, I’ve never seen anything like him.” Wilson is still without an offer, and it could be that he goes to a JuCo before surfacing later on with a Division I program.
9. Jal Bijiek, 6’7 SF, Des Moines North (2017)
Without a doubt one of the more electric players in the state, if there’s a ball around the rim you better believe this bouncy senior is going to try and slam it home. He certainly benefits from playing with one of the state’s most savvy point guards, Tyreke Locure (No.8), and the two of them make the Polar Bears must-watch hoops this winter. Bijiek is a wiry small forward, who works relentlessly to improve his perimeter game. Not only will he be able to step out and hit a ton of 3s this season, but he could lead the state in dunks and blocks. North Dakota and Southeast Missouri State have offered, but Bijiek is still on the market.
8. Tyreke Locure, 5’10, PG, Des Moines North (2019)
This underclassman does things on the court that will make your jaw drop. His ability to anticipate on defense mixed with his unbelievable explosiveness and quickness make him one of the most dangerous defenders not only in the state, but likely in the entire Midwest; he led the state in steals last season as a freshman. His handles are tight, his vision and savvy are top notch (he also led the state in assists last season), and he can knock in the 3-ball with range out to 25 feet. He’s got plenty of Division I interest, but no offers yet — we think it’s just matter of time before this uncanny sophomore has a handful of them.
7. Patrick McCaffery, 6’8 SF, Iowa City West (2019)
With great height and a guard’s skill-set, Patrick McCaffery could soon be an unstoppable player at the high school ranks. Iowa’s top-ranked 2019, McCaffery came off the bench last season for a supremely talented Iowa City West squad, and this season the lanky small forward should see his role increase greatly. The coach’s son (Iowa’s Fran McCaffery) is one of the smartest and most efficient players we’ve seen in the state, he’s always patient, never forces, and only takes well-advised shots. He has more-or-less verified that he’ll stay in Iowa City and play for his dad at Iowa when he leaves West High.
6. Bailey Basala, 6’6 G/F, North Scott (2017)
There seems to be one Iowa guy every summer that blows up on the 17U circuit, that was Basala this year. He came into the his offseason with zero offers and came out four months later with eight D1 offers; North Dakota, Air Force, UC Davis, Albany, Central Michigan, Duquesne, Holy Cross, American. A good-sized wing with a decent build and sharpshooting ability, Basala started his career as a post and has transitioned flawlessly into a wing. He made the decision to commit to Air Force along with fellow Iowa Barnstormer Abe Kinrade. The two will join 2016 Des Moines Christian graduate Keaton Van Soelen on the Falcons’ roster.