Iowa Barnstormers 16U Wing and Post Evaluations
The Iowa Barnstormers 16U group went 3-1 in their first weekend at the adidas Gauntlet Series, with their only loss coming in overtime to a Team Teague (IN) group that went on to finish second over the weekend. I was there for each game, and will have evaluations for each player on the roster. Below you’ll find evaluations of the wings and posts.
Trey Hutcheson (6-6 F, Linn-Mar)
The Linn-Mar combo forward has been steadily improving his face-up game, and it was on full display over the weekend. He was consistently knocking down mid-range jumpers, showing the ability to do so either off the catch or the dribble. He’s an active forward who competes on the glass and has a non-stop motor, and as the range on his jumper continues to increase, he’ll be a difficult player to defend. He’s athletic and quick, with the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim for buckets, and he’s a strong finisher in the paint. On the defensive end, he has some versatility, with the ability to defend either forward spot right now. He puts forth consistent effort, has an expanding skill set and offers some versatility on both ends of the floor.
Dylan Jones (6-8 F, Waukee)
Jones is a kid that I’ve been very high on for quite some time, but this may have been the best four-game stretch that I’ve seen from him. He’s thin, but has some upper body strength and was rebounding at an extremely high level all weekend. At the next level, he’ll probably bump out to the perimeter and play the 3, and his game already suits that fairly well, as he’s more comfortable in a face-up role than he is with his back to the basket. He’s long, runs the floor well and has good touch on his jumper. On the defensive end, he moves his feet well and can defend a number of positions comfortably, and isn’t lost if he switches onto a smaller guard in pick-and-roll situations. The toughness on the glass is what really stood out about his performance, however. When he can contribute on the glass in bunches, in addition to the impact he can make on both ends of the floor with his shot making and defensive abilities, he’ll be a high-impact player.
Patrick McCaffery (6-9 GF, Iowa City West)
McCaffery was moved up the national 2019 rankings by Rivals to No. 23 in his class before this event started, and he played all weekend like he was looking to justify that ranking. A highly skilled wing, he is playing more with the ball in his hands than ever before, showcasing some playmaking ability and superb passing. He has the ability to play a point-forward role, and his offensive arsenal is steadily expanding. He’s very skilled around the rim, with great touch inside the paint. As he continues to get stronger, he’ll be able to finish at the rim more effectively in the halfcourt. He had the strongest offensive rebound and putback that I’ve seen from him this weekend, so the strength is developing. At 6-9, he has the size to get his shot off whenever he wants, and despite the low load point that some people have expressed concern about, his release is plenty high enough to get off. He has the ability to stretch the defense out to the 3-point line, and his ball handling has improved to the point where he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim for finishes or passes. On the defensive end, he has incredible versatility, with the combination of length and lateral movement that will make coaches salivate. He’s capable of defending the perimeter, and as the strength comes, he can bother bigger players as well. This is a big summer for McCaffery, not necessarily in terms of recruitment (we assume he’s going to play at Iowa for his dad), but in terms of improving his all-around game and proving that he is deserving of that high ranking. This weekend was most definitely a step in the right direction, as the best player on the floor each time out.
Derek Krogmann (6-7 PF, West Delaware)
If McCaffery is 1A in terms of the Barnstormers’ most consistent player, Krogmann is probably 1B. The 6-7 power forward is remarkably consistent, almost always a threat for a double-double. He’s a tremendous rebounder, with a nearly 7-foot wingspan that helps him gobble up any rebound that is near him. He moves fairly well laterally on the defensive end, and the length helps him contest shots against players he may otherwise be giving a few inches up against. On the offensive end, he’s always been very good going to his left (he is left handed, after all, something teams seem to have not figured out yet). But where he has really developed is his ability to score with the right hand. He now has counter moves if the defense does defend his left hand, showing a pretty right handed jump hook from the middle of the paint. He also displayed the ability to put the ball on the floor, taking a bigger defender off the dribble from the right baseline, driving under the rim and finishing with a reverse layup. He runs the floor extremely well, and does a great job establishing early position and sealing his defender. He’s a very good low-post scorer, a fantastic rebounder and solid defender. If he’s able to add some range to his jumper, look out. He’s already a low-major prospect, but he could work his way into very good mid-major range before too long.
Noah Carter (6-6 F, Dubuque Senior)
Carter is probably the best shooter of the Barnstormers’ wings and bigs, with the ability to stretch the floor and a really quick release. He moves well off the ball, has extended range and great touch. He’s not limited to being a stretch player, however, as he’s a strong finisher in the paint, scoring at angles that look impossible. He’s very strong on the glass, routinely one of the top two rebounders on the team, and he can handle the ball a little bit. The question for him is where will he play at the next level, as he’ll need to get a bit more athletic to play the 3 on a consistent basis, or grow to play the 4. But he’s a very good player at this level with the ability to score from anywhere, and contribute on the glass at a high level.
Photos courtesy of Cole Cooper (http://www.colecooper.photography).