Ten 2018 Guards Ready for Big Summer
With the grassroots season set to get started this weekend, we take a look at ten of the top uncommitted guards in Iowa’s 2018 class who are primed for big summers.
A.J. Green, Cedar Falls/Iowa Barnstormers
This one isn’t much of a stretch, as Green used a big summer last year to elevate himself into most publications’ national rankings. He’s picked up a bevy of mid-and-high major offers, most notably from Minnesota and Iowa State. Playing with one of the country’s top teams, he’ll have a chance (and will) add many more high-major offers. Armed with one of the purest jumpers you’ll see, he’s got the ability to get his shot off whenever he wants, combining elite ball handling and footwork to create space.
Sam Ingoli, West Des Moines Dowling/Iowa Barnstormers
A gifted lead guard, Ingoli makes a major impact on both ends of the floor. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the state, using elite lateral quickness to hound ball handlers for 94 feet. He’s strong and has a great first step, which helps him get to the rim for buckets, and he understands his limitations on that end of the floor, rarely taking bad shots. He’s capable of facilitating as well, and on a loaded Barnstormers team, that’s likely what he’ll be asked to do. With the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor and make winning plays, Ingoli should become a coveted low-to-mid-major prospect.
Hunter Strait, Ankeny Centennial/Team Iowa
Strait made the move from Cedar Rapids Washington to Ankeny Centennial during the high school year, and put together a solid season for the Jaguars. One of the state’s best ball handlers and passers, he showcased his scoring chops during the high school season, averaging 17 points a game. He’s had a number of interested schools over the past few years, ranging from low-major to high-major, and this summer will be big for him. A long, flashy point guard, he’s a phenomal passer with the ability to take over games without scoring. He’s got the length on the defensive end to make an impact, and his ability to score has improved greatly over the past few years. A reliable mid-range shooter with range out to the arc, he could become a hot commodity with a big summer.
Matt Mims, Cedar Rapids Xavier/Martin Brothers
Mims is a winner. He’s led the Saints to back-to-back state championships, and they’ll be one of the favorites to take home the crown again next year. An athletic lead guard with great speed, he’s capable of taking over games either by scoring or facilitating. He’s at his best when he’s playing downhill and getting to the rim for buckets. He’s good in the pick-and-roll, with the ability to turn the corner, come around the screen and knock down a mid-range jumper, or find the roll man with a pass for a layup. When he’s locked in on the defensive end, he’s tough. He’s got above-average length, which he pairs with top-notch lateral movement to stay in front of the ball handler. He picked up an offer from North Dakota over a year ago, and many low-to-mid-majors have expressed interest.
Luke Vaske, Norwalk/Martin Brothers
Vaske has become one of the best scorers in the 2018 class, with the ability to score at all three levels. He’s a very good shooter from deep, which he uses to help open up and stretch the defense for dribble penetration. He’s turned into more of a two-guard now after being more of a true point in previous years. He needs to show this summer that he has the ability to lead his team with the ball in his hands as well as be a scoring threat. He also has to make an impact on the defensive end. He’s a smart and gifted offensive player with a chance to do some special things.
Carondis Harris-Anderson, Waterloo West/Martin Brothers
This athletic off-guard may be one of the most intriguing players in the state. His offensive skill set has improved dramatically, as he’s turned himself from primarily a driver to someone who can now score at all three levels consistently, with a much improved jump shot. He has the ability to shoot off the catch or the bounce, moves well without the ball and has extended range. He’s a great athlete who competes on the glass, can defend either guard spot and has a lot of potential still to untap. He didn’t start playing organized basketball until junior high, so there is still quite a bit of talent to refine and work with. Playing in the backcourt alongside a pair of dynamic point guards with Martin Brothers, he should have a chance to have a big scoring summer and showcase his abilities.
Brady Sartorius, Mount Pleasant/Kingdom Hoops
Sartorius makes the move from the Barnstormers to Kingdom Hoops, bringing one of the state’s best mid-range games with him. He’s got a great ability to stop on a dime and elevate into a 15-footer that few in the state can defend. His shot is smooth and consistent, and he’s steadily worked on expanding it out to the arc. He’s a good ball handler with the ability to play in the pick-and-roll, but where he really excels is with that jumper. Once he knocks down a few of them, watch out. If he can show the ability to hit that consistently against top competition, he’ll become a valued player over the summer.
Nate Mohr, Glenwood/Omaha Elite
Playing with a very good Omaha Elite program, Mohr will have plenty of chances to make his name known. He led Glenwood in scoring at just under 20 points a game, and knocked down 76 3s during the season. He’s a deadly perimeter shooter, and his point guard skills have steadily improved. If he’s able to consistently knock down shots and set up his teammates, he’ll have a nice summer and could garner some Division II attention.
Corvon Seales, North Scott/Quad City Elite
Seales makes the transition from the Barnstormers over to Quad City Elite, where he should get plenty of run. Coming off a solid junior season with North Scott, he enters the big 17U summer with something to prove. He’s long and athletic, has the ability to score at all three levels, and the length to cause all sorts of issues on the defensive end. Whereas older brother Cortez (now at North Dakota) excelled finishing around the rim, younger Corvon has more of a perimeter oriented game, and is a pretty good perimeter shooter. If he showcases his defensive ability and his improving offense this summer, he could generate some low-major interest.
Garrett Sturtz, Newton/Iowa Intensity
A lanky guard with one of the most crafty offensive games in the state, Sturtz is coming off a huge junior year for Newton, and he’ll be looking to carry that momentum into the summer with Iowa Intensity, which is one of the better under-the-radar teams in the Midwest. He’s a very good mid-range shooter, has great footwork and uses a variety of different up-and-unders or changes of pace to help get to the rim for buckets. His length helps him immensely on the defensive end, where he’s capable of defending multiple positions. With a big summer, he should garner plenty of looks from Division II level programs, and he could even work his way into low-major consideration as well.