Future Stars Camp: 5 Takeaways
2021 Sneak Peek
We won’t put out our 2021 rankings until this time next year, but before that we’ll put out a “Watch List,” and we found several eighth-grade gems last Saturday which will likely be included. Two guys, Cameron Davis and Keaton Kutcher were not just the two best 2021s at the camp, but were two of the best players there, period. Each was routinely torching guys who were two, three, even four years their senior. Several other guys showed glimpses of what special players they could become; Quincy Wiseman, TJ Bollers, Nicholas Wagner, and Wisconsin’s Brayden Dailey, just to name a few. The future is indeed bright for Iowa high school hoops.
Dubuque, Hempstead
When we released our initial 4A top-10 last fall, we held Hempstead in high regard, and unsurprisingly to us — though maybe a surprise to others — the Mustangs ended up at the state tournament come March. Next season they should be considered on a short list of teams that could win a 4A title. There’s a lot to be said about experience, and the experience of letting a 32-11 lead turn into a 55-47 defeat to Kennedy will undoubtedly fuel them moving forward. But more importantly, forward Keith Johnson and guard Lucas Duax — both of which showed out last Saturday — will make up one of the best duos in the state. Oh, and the previously mentioned Cameron Davis — maybe 2021’s best prospect — will be a freshman at Hempstead next season.
Top-20 Game
Sometimes when you get to the end of these camps, the games tend to be a bit sloppy. But not at this one. A Top 40 game, featuring the 21st-40th best players that day at the camp was played, and that followed by a Top 20 game. The first game was great, and proved to be a small taste of what was to come. The last game of the day, featuring the 20 best players at camp that day, was outstanding. Some of Iowa’s best prospects — guys from all different grade levels, classes, and conferences — had their chance to go after each other, and they went after each other aggressively. For every Hunter Strait triple, there was a Griff Clark take to the hoop, and when Derek Krogmann made a big defensive play, Noah Carter answered with an athletic move at the rim. Back and forth the two talented groups went in a nip-and-tuck affair, and it made for some highly entertaining hoops.
Warriors
After the skills session ended, the guys at the camp were split into several different squads, each named after an NBA team. How appropriate that the team which dominated the competition was named after the team that does the same in the NBA: the Warriors. Though each team had its — mostly — fair-share of talent, there was something about the trio of Derek Krogmann, Ryan Miller and Jordan Magnani that was strikingly good last Saturday. Krogmann was dominant every game, his 7-foot wing-span was nabbing every rebound that came near him, and blocking every shot that did the same. Miller and Magnani (think mini-Splash Brothers) were each utterly impressive for most of the day, seemingly taking turns torching the competition, both from deep and at the rim. The chemistry between these three was outstanding, and that translated into dominance. Are there any 3-on-3 tournaments coming up?
The Message
Co-Camp Director and Iowa Barnstormers Co-Founder Greg Stephen spoke with the camp attendees at the conclusion of camp and his message was clear: college coaches want kids with positive attitudes. Body language, encouraging teammates and effort are as important as any other variable in a college coach’s prospect selection process. Highlight tapes are great, but everyday actions, in particular a player’s attitude on the floor are most important. The pecking order for what coaches ask him about: 1. Grades? 2. Demeanor? 3. Can they Play? That message was more-or-less shadowed by other camp instructors and speakers, including former Iowa City West and Northern Iowa standout Jeremy Morgan. Moral of the message: You never know who’s watching, keep your head up, play hard, and good things will happen.