Best of the Best: Iowa’s All-Class Top 30 (25-21)
With game action officially starting this 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 this 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 II of Iowa’s 30 best.
25-21
25. Matthew Mims, 5’10 PG, Xavier (2018)
Mims picked up his first offer (North Dakota) last March after his impressive play during the Saints’ state championship run. He carried that momentum into his 16U season with a Martin Brothers squad that had one of the best rosters in the Midwest. He’s since picked up some additional interest from Illinois State, Davidson, Drake and South Dakota. It’s reasonable to think he could help lead the Saints to another state title — and that could mean more offers.
24. Sam Allen, 6’3 SG, Grinnell (2017)
Without a doubt Allen has one of the purest jumpers in Iowa, and he’ll be able to showcase that the next four seasons at Division II Upper Iowa. The Peacocks offered Allen earlier in the fall, and he signed with them during the initial signing period earlier this month. Allen was a machine last summer at the Grand View Team Camp, routinely popping-off for 30 or more points. That pure outside shot of his makes him a joy to watch.
23. Hunter Strait, 6’1 PG, Cedar Rapids Washington (2018)
This highly-skilled and hoops-savvy Cedar Rapids Washington point guard is already a superstar in our eyes, but the rest of the state could soon realize how good he actually is. Strait had a decent season as a sophomore, averaging 12.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Now that he’s the undisputed leader of the Warriors look for those numbers to swell. And with his flashy and smooth style of play, he’ll be one of the more fun guys to watch in Iowa this winter.
22. Jason Taylor, 6’10 C, Rock Valley (2018)
One of the few elite true centers in the state, Taylor is able to dominate because of his sheer size alone. He’s received two Division I offers, North Dakota and South Dakota State, and though his numbers last season as a sophomore were a bit underwhelming, we fully expect him to dominate this winter.
21. James Betz, 6’6 F, G-H-V (2019)
There were times this past summer when it seemed James Betz was in a league of his own. With a versatile skill-set, a strong build and plus-athleticism he was nearly impossible for opposing 15U squads to contain. What really makes him dangerous is his ability to step out and hit the 3-ball — he connected on 46 percent of his outside attempts as a freshman. We expect Betz to utterly dominate at the 2A level this season. We also expect him to have some Division I offers to his name by this time next year.