Iowa’s Ten Best Available 2017s
With the early signing period now behind us, it’s time to take a look at some of the top talent still available in the state of Iowa. Below are the top ten players who are still on the board. …
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the early signing period now behind us, it’s time to take a look at some of the top talent still available in the state of Iowa. Below are the top ten players who are still on the board.
6-0 G Devontae Lane (Iowa City West)
Rank: 2
A strong, physical combo guard, Lane has steadily improved his jumper and is a bull when playing downhill. He finishes strong at the rim and is one of the best all-around offensive players in the state, regardless of class. On the defensive end, he’s a strong on-ball defender who moves his feet well and is capable of defending either guard spot. At one point he held an Iowa State offer (while Fred Hoiberg was still coaching at the school). He’s become a sought-after prospect on the gridiron as well, so it remains to be seen which sport he will pursue at the next level, but he’s a player who could make a major impact at the mid-major level, with the potential to play high-major basketball.
6-7 SF Jal Bijiek (Des Moines North)
Rank: 5
A long, supremely athletic wing, Bijiek is a rapidly improving offensive player with the ability to score out to the arc. He’s becoming a solid ball handler, and has really improved his jumper off the bounce in the last year. Where he truly shines at this point is playing in transition, where he routinely finishes above the rim with authority. He’s a menace on the defensive end with his length and athleticism, seemingly coming out of nowhere to block shots. He holds a Division I offer from North Dakota and could be an impact player at the low-major level.
6-6 PF Douglas Wilson (Des Moines Hoover)
Rank: 6
Wilson’s grassroots coach, Jake Sullivan, says that he’s one of the best rebounders in the Midwest, and the proof is in the pudding. He’s relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor and plays with a non-stop motor. He’s a fantastic athlete who runs the floor well and is developing his offensive skill set. He’s an intriguing defensive player who can switch on ball screens and defend guards effectively, making him a good weapon on that end of the floor. He may be best served with a stint at a JuCo to refine his offensive skill set before heading off to a four-year college, where he looks like a potential impact player at the low-to-mid-major level.
6-1 G Jay Small (Hinton)
Rank: 7
Small has been one of the best players on a very good Omaha Elite team for years now, and he received a Division I offer from South Dakota as a result. A put together combo guard, he’s a dynamic scorer with the ability to get scorching hot from the arc. He’s a bit of a streaky shooter, but once he gets going, good luck slowing him down. He may need to improve his point guard skills at the next level as he may be a touch small to defend the two in college, but his offensive arsenal should make him a sought-after prospect.
6-7 PF Cade McKnight (Grinnell)
Rank: 21
A hand injury derailed much of McKnight’s summer, but he’s healthy now and ready to contribute again. There had been some rumblings of a few Division I programs who were interested in a “four for five” type deal for the Grinnell big man, but if those fall through, he would be a very good Division II big man. He already holds offers from Upper Iowa and Concordia St. Paul. He’s a strong, physical big man who is a good interior defender and strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. He sets good, hard screens and is strong as a roll man to the bucket, showing good hands and footwork. There is still a lot of potential to be untapped in McKnight.
6-6 GF Ryan Van Wyk (Pella)
Rank: 23
Van Wyk quietly had about as good a summer as any 17U player in the state, playing with Pella-based Shoot It! A versatile forward, he plays primarily in the post with his high school team, but he’s worked to expand his game out to the arc, where he’s now a dangerous shooter. He’s relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor, plays with a non-stop motor and is a high-level finisher at the rim, particularly through contact. On the defensive end he probably still has some work to do, but he’s got the tools there to defend a few different spots at the next level. He’s got the look and production of a Division II player, but he may end up being a steal for an NAIA program somewhere.
6-7 PF Max Techau (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
Rank: 25
The long big man for the defending 3A champion just keeps improving. He runs the floor extremely well, has soft touch around the rim and is highly active on both ends of the floor. He’s expanding his game, now showing a solid mid-range jumper that he can occasionally stretch out to the arc. He uses his length effectively both on the glass and on the defensive end, proving to be a solid defensive player despite being a little bit thin. I think there is quite a bit more in his game that still needs to be refined, and there is a lot of potential here.
5-9 PG Levi Jungling (Pella Christian)
Rank: 26
A dynamic playmaking guard, Jungling may end up playing football at the next level after enjoying a stellar career as a receiver and defensive back. If he sticks to the hardwood, he would be a good get for an NAIA program looking for a guard who can both score and distribute. Despite his size, he finishes well in the paint, isn’t afraid of contact, and he’s got a lightning quick first step that he uses to routinely beat his defender off the dribble. He’s a capable shooter from the arc, and excels at getting his teammates involved with plus-court vision and passing abilities.
6-0 SG Ben Juhl (Des Moines Christian)
Rank: 28
Juhl has a scorer’s mentality and is at his best when he’s using ball screens and playing downhill. He’s a better athlete than you think, plays with good pace and is a strong finisher at the rim. The versatile lefty is also capable of torching you from deep if you leave him alone. He’s a player that should be on the radar of Division II programs looking for some scoring punch, and he would be a dynamic NAIA player.
6-2 G Kolby Molinsky (Carroll)
Rank: 29
Another solidly built combo guard who has enjoyed quite a bit of success on the football field, Molinsky projects as a point guard at the next level should he pursue basketball. He doesn’t do much that is going to blow anyone away, but he’s always under control, does a nice job setting his teammates up and he can knock down jumpers when he’s got space. He’s an adequate defender, competes on the glass on both ends and values possessions on the offensive end. Division II or NAIA programs looking for a strong lead guard to run their team could certainly do worse than the Carroll product.