Ten 2018 Wings Ready for Big Summer
With the grassroots season set to get started this weekend, we take a look at ten of the top uncommitted wings in Iowa’s 2018 class who are primed for big summers.
Nathan Johnson, Waukee/Iowa Barnstormers
One of the bounciest players in the state, the 6-7 wing is making the transition over to the Barnstormers this year, where he’ll play alongside some extremely talented players. He’s got great length and athleticism, and has turned himself into a good perimeter shooter (knocked down nearly 40% of his 3s for Waukee). With his athletic ability, he’s a solid defender with the ability to defend multiple positions. A terror in transition, he’ll provide some highlights over the course of the summer. He currently holds a Division I offer from Air Force, and should add plenty more mid-major interest throughout the summer.
Elijah Hazekamp, Sioux City Heelan/Iowa Barnstormers
For his high school team, Hazekamp plays a bit more on the interior, while he moves out to the wing for the Barnstormers. He’s an elite rebounder, pulling down 12 boards a game for Heelan. He’s relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor, but he’s developed into much more than that. He’s turned into a reliable 3-point shooter, knocking down 39.3% of his 3s, and is great at the free throw line, where he shot 87%. ‘Stormers coach KC Schmitt said about him last year that he can “play position-less basketball”, offering up all sorts of versatility on both ends of the floor. He has the strength and experience to defend bigger players on the interior, and he’s developed his lateral quickness to help him defend on the perimeter. He holds a North Dakota offer and should be a favorite of low-to-mid-major programs looking for a versatile wing who can contribute on the glass.
Jackson Joens, Cedar Rapids Xavier/Martin Brothers
Joens has been a major piece of back-to-back state championship teams at Xavier. He’s got good size for two-guard at 6-5/6-6, with above-average length. He’s an elite shooter who is nearly automatic on the corner 3. He has a quick, repeatable release and moves well off the ball to find spaces in the defense to get his shot off. The key for him this summer will be diversifying his game. He did a little bit of posting up during the high school season, a welcome addition to his game. He needs to improve his ball handling and ability to create his own shot, but his elite shooting ability will get him noticed.
Keith Johnson, Dubuque Hempstead/Tri-State Steam
After playing a key role on Hempstead’s first ever state tournament team, Johnson will be a major player for the Tri-State Steam. A gifted, athletic wing with great lateral movement, he’s a dynamic defensive player with the ability to defend all five positions at the high school level, and probably the 3 and 4 moving forward, while not getting lost on switches. He has the ability to score inside and out, is a good ball handler and passer, and very active on the glass. Where he’ll make his mark, however, is with that versatility on the defensive end.
John Herrick, Boone/Pure Prep
Herrick has become a coveted football recruit in addition to his basketball prowess. On the hardwood, he’s a versatile combo forward who is capable of protecting the rim on the defensive end, while also stepping out to the arc and knocking down 3s on offense. He’s a good rebounder on both ends of the floor, runs the floor extremely well and finishes at the rim with authority. With his versatility, he could become a valued prospect with a good summer showing.
Troy Houghton, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln/Iowa Barnstormers
Houghton has the ability to be an elite-level defender, combining length, athleticism and very good instincts to help him defend multiple positions. He can switch onto just about anyone on that end of the floor, and is equally adept playing on or off the ball. On the offensive end, he’s still a bit of a work in progress, but he takes good shots, runs the floor and has the ability to get to the rim. Playing on a loaded Barnstormers team, he won’t be asked to score a ton, but if he plays defense at the level that he’s capable of, college coaches will most certainly take notice.
Zaine Leedom, East Marshall/Iowa Intensity
I think Leedom is one of the most interesting players in the state. He’s listed at 6-4, but he has great length and is a very good athlete. He has the ability to score inside and out, can make plays with the ball in his hands, and can protect the rim. His ability to score in a number of ways, as well as defend at a high level, should make him a sought after wing at the Division II or NAIA level. He’s highly skilled, and he gets better every time I see him.
Andrew Blum, Glenwood/Omaha Elite
A 6-4 scoring wing, Blum excels at getting to the rim and finishing. He’s a capable shooter from the arc, but that’s not his strong suit. He’s great on the glass, has the ability to lead the break, and he showed the ability to protect the rim a bit as well, blocking 31 shots during the high school season. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to showcase his talents with a very good Omaha Elite squad.
Hakeem Odunsi, Iowa City West/Iowa Dynasty
Odunsi is a highly gifted point-forward who excels with the ball in his hands. He’s got great footwork, is a very good passer and ball handler, and has the ability to score in a variety of ways. He’s a 6-6 playmaker who thrives with his ability to make plays for others, either via dribble penetration or his work playing out of the high post. He’s a good, not great, shooter, a solid rebounder and (when he’s engaged) can be a solid defender. He’s got good length and a very natural feel for the game. There is a lot of ability here.
Seybian Sims, Iowa City West/Iowa Dynasty
A talented combo forward who occasionally started for the Trojans this past winter, Sims has a versatile game and is a great athlete. During the high school season, he plays much more on the interior, while playing with Dynasty he has a bit more freedom to roam out to the perimeter. He’s a fairly skilled ball handler, capable of leading a break after pulling down a defensive rebound. He has the ability to protect the rim with great length and athleticism, and he can defend on the perimeter as well. If he’s able to show some perimeter skills this summer, he could become a sought after Division II level prospect.