Iowa Commitment Roundup
It’s been a busy month of commitments around the state, so we’re here to recap what has happened with the Class of 2017 lately. If we missed any, please let us know.
G Parker Lange (Storm Lake)
Committed to Division II Upper Iowa (4/17/17)
A talented scoring guard with the ability to score at all three levels and get scorching hot from deep, Lange averaged 16.3 points a game for Storm Lake as a senior, while dishing out a team-high 76 assists. He joins a talented group of incoming backcourt talent for the Peacocks, joining Grinnell sharpshooter Sam Allen and Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Mr. Basketball, Joe Smoldt.
PF Jacob Rau (Waukee)
Committed to JuCo Division II Iowa Lakes (4/17/17)
A talented big man who can make an impact on both ends of the floor, Rau will go the junior college route to start his collegiate career. A foot injury sidelined him for much of last summer, which may have kept some schools away, but he averaged 12 points (on 66.7% shooting) and 10.1 rebounds for the Warriors, while also blocking 27 shots. At 6-7, he’s mobile, has great footwork around the basket and is a good team defender. He should become a coveted player after a year or two at Iowa Lakes.
PF Cade McKnight (Grinnell)
Committed to Division II Truman State (4/12/17)
One of the state’s most dominant bigs, the 6-9 McKnight put up 20.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a game for the Tigers, while shooting 65.6% from the floor. At one point, he held a “5 for 4” offer from North Dakota, but he passed on that to head down to Division II Truman State, where he’ll join fellow Iowans Turner Scott, Jake Velky and Jack Green.
C Kyle Arrington (Council Bluffs Lewis Central)
Committed to JuCo Division II Kirkwood (4/14/17)
Injuries have derailed this 6-10 big a few times during the course of his high school career, but there is a lot for Kirkwood to be excited about here. He’s a legitimate 6-10, back-to-the-basket big man who can also step out and hit a jumper, and he rebounds and protects the rim. If he’s able to stay healthy with the Eagles, he should have Division I schools looking at him. He put up 15.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks a game for the Titans as a senior.
PF Douglas Wilson (Des Moines Hoover)
Committed to JuCo Division II Kirkwood (4/14/17)
Wilson may be a touch undersized at 6-6, but he’s got length and is a phenomenal athlete. He also happens to be one of the best rebounders you’ll find, with a relentless motor and nose for the ball. He averaged 17.9 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks for the Huskies. With his athletic ability, he has the ability to switch defensively without much issue, and if he can improve his offensive skill set, he will become a highly coveted forward.
SF Donovan Beard (Cedar Rapids Washington)
Committed to JuCo Division II Olive-Harvey (4/12/17)
A long and lanky wing, Beard will head to the Chicago area to play at Olive-Harvey. He has some point-forward abilities, a gifted passer at 6-7. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for a Warriors team that struggled this past winter.
G Ray Miller (Davenport Central)
Committed to JuCo Division II Des Moines Area (4/10/17)
Perhaps the most explosive athlete in the state, Miller has improved tremendously over the course of the last 12 months. He’ll head to DMACC for a while, and could become a low-major player if he plays well with the Bears. He’s a good on-ball defender, has improved his handle and ability to get to the rim, and he’s a highlight waiting to happen on the break. If he can add a consistent jumper, watch out.
SF Lim Chuol (Chariton)
Committed to Division II Chadron State (4/8/17)
This point-forward will play Division II ball at Chadron State. He’s been a constant triple-double threat in his time at Chariton, combining elite passing with good size and improved ball handling to become a playmaking forward who can contribute in every column in the box score. He’s a gifted player with the ball in his hands.
PF Max Techau (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
Committed to Division III University of St. Thomas (4/5/17)
A versatile and mobile big man, Techau is a great pickup for DIII St. Thomas (MN). He’s skilled around the rim, can protect the paint with his size and length, and he rebounds and runs the floor at a high level. A two-time state champion, he should have a fantastic career for the Tommies.
G Mac Skogen (Mason City)
Committed to JuCo Division II North Iowa Area (4/1/17)
This Mason City product will stay home to start his college career at NIACC. He averaged 9.5 points and was third on the team in rebounding as a senior, while leading the Mohawks in steals.
G Devontae Lane (Iowa City West)
Committed to JuCo Division I Indian Hills (3/30/17)
2017’s No. 2 player had a tough decision to make, not only on where he would choose to attend college, but what sport he would play at the next level as well. A dynamic football player in addition to being a standout on the hardwood, he put that decision to bed by committing to JuCo power Indian Hills late in March. He’s a fantastic defender and scorer, a great all-around player. With a few strong years (in the classroom as well) at Indian Hills, he’ll become a valued Division I guard.
PG Drew Johnson (Waukee)
Committed to NAIA Grand View University (3/30/17)
After being primarily a ball handling role player for his first few varsity seasons with the Warriors, Johnson turned himself into their leading scorer, putting up just under 15 points a game, while showcasing some top-notch shooting ability, knocking down 40.5% of his 3s. He’s capable of playing either guard spot, playing either with or without the ball, and he’s a solid defender as well. A smart, heady guard, he’s a nice pickup for Grand View.
G Josh Dueker (Iowa Christian Academy)
Committed to NAIA Northwestern College (3/27/17)
Iowa Christian’s high scoring 6-1 guard (23.8 points a game) will play his college ball in Orange City. He proved himself to be a contributor on both ends of the floor, leading his team in rebounding, assists, steals and blocks in addition to his scoring prowess.
PG Brady Elder (Pleasantville)
Committed to NAIA Dakota State (3/24/17)
A skilled 5-11 point guard, Elder led the Trojans in scoring at 19.3 points a game, and he can distribute as well, posting 66 assists. He has the ability to score from deep or get to the rim and finish. He’ll head up to Dakota State, where he’ll play some NAIA ball.
SG Louis Psihoyos (Dubuque Senior)
Committed to JuCo Division II Des Moines Area (3/23/17)
A big bodied guard, Psihoyos put together a very nice senior year for the Rams, averaging 12.5 points on 52.8% from the floor, showing marked improvement throughout his time in high school. He plans on playing both basketball and golf at DMACC.
G Ben Juhl (Des Moines Christian)
Committed to Division II Minnesota-Crookston (3/21/17)
It took a while, but this talented lefty scoring guard finally picked up a Division II offer, and took it. He’ll be joining Kingdom Hoops teammate Tajen Ross (ADM, Adel) in Crookston, after averaging 21.3 points a game on impressive 63-48-79 shooting splits as a senior.
G Jay Small (Hinton)
Committed to JuCo Division II Kirkwood (3/18/17)
A supremely talented combo guard, Small started things off for Kirkwood back in March when he committed. A strong, physical scorer, he’s capable of doing so at all three levels, and he can also play the point and become a distributor as well. He’ll have a chance to do some great things at Kirkwood, and he could become a low-major commodity with a solid year or two.
PG Cameron Cramer (Des Moines East)
Committed to JuCo Division II Southwestern (3/10/17)
This one snuck under the radar a bit, as the Des Moines East guard committed during state tournament week. He was one of the few bright spots for the Scarlets, averaging 14.3 points a game. A 5-10 point guard, he’ll start his college career with the defending JuCo Division II national champs at Southwestern.