TJ’s 10 Who Impressed on Saturday: Part I
Bowen Born (2020), 5’10 PG, Iowa Barnstormers 15U
Likely the most skilled player in Iowa’s 2020 class, and perhaps one of the nation’s most skilled frosh, Born is a slick ball-handler who shoots with great precision. He was firing with confidence this afternoon, and hitting from well beyond the arch with regularity en route to five 3s against Greenwood Elite. His court-awareness is high and his ability to find teammates can not be overlooked. He’s a superstar in the making.
Even Brauns (2020), 6’8 C, Iowa Barnstormers 15U
With great size, nice bounce and a skill-set to boot, this kid looks a like a future Division I post. He did not score a bunch when we saw him against Greenwood Elite, but he was altering shots regularly with his size and length, and plays smart and under control. He flashed a high-level tip-in that caught our eye, showcasing a quick and high bounce plus great awareness.
AJ Coons (2020), 6’5 SF, Iowa Barnstormers 15U
A long and active wing, Coons’ size and wingspan alone make hem menacing defensively. Pair those with the fact that he moves his feet quite well for a kid his size, and you have a guy that will turn a lot of heads this summer.
Keshawn Christian (2020), 6’1 G, Iowa Barnstormers 15U
He’s grown a bit since we saw him at our Expo last fall, and his game has progressed very nicely. Christian is an explosive wing with great speed, especially with the ball, and he’s able to control his handle even while blazing down the court and past his man. His strength is certainly getting to the rim, and he does it with such ease that we did not get a chance to see his jumper. The ceiling is very high for this Iowa City High product.
Joe Wieskamp (2018), 6’6 G/F, Iowa Barnstormers 17U
He’s been billed as one of the Midwest’s best, and he continually lives up to the high praise. He was very good today during a 10 point win over Young and Reckless; knocking down jumpers from all over the court, hauling in offensive and defensive boards, playing tough defense, and even dropping a couple of dimes. When he’s on, and he normally is, the ‘Stormers will be very tough to beat.
Joey Hauser (2018), 6’8 SF, Iowa Barnstormers 17U
This was the first time I had a chance to see Wisconsin’s highly touted high-major prospect. He’s as good as advertised, and simply put, is one of the best high school players I’ve seen, easily. It’s rare to see a guy with his size be so fluid and skilled, both on the perimeter or in the paint. Hauser has a beautiful jumper, and he has the size to post up smaller opponents. He’s a beast on the boards and he passes very well. He’s on a different level, and whatever school he commits to (Iowa, Wisconsin, Marquette, Michigan State etc.) will be getting an absolute gem.
Ed Chang (2018), 6’7 G/F, Iowa Barnstormers 17U
Bouncy and rangy wing with a butter stroke from deep, this product of Omaha, NE was at times dazzling on Saturday. He possesses seemingly unlimited range, and rained in 13 points during the Barnstormers’ 10 point win over Chicago’s Young and Reckless. He’s got a little Peter Jok in him, and Iowa has offered the lengthy Nebraska wing.
Devonte Thedford (2018), 6’1 G, Iowa Barnstormers 17U
Though he’s used as one of the primary scorers for his high school team at Des Moines Hoover, Thedford was used almost exclusively and certainly effectively as a defensive stopper for the Barnstormers this afternoon. He was tenacious on the Chicago guards he was up against, and nothing came easy for anyone who went up against him. We’re not the least bit surprised that a Hoover guard put together a phenomenal defensive performance.
Derek Krogmann (2019), 6’7 PF, Iowa Barnstormers 16U
What a dominant stretch this West Delaware big-man had during the first half against D1 Minnesota. Krogmann was going up against bigger guys, but they may not have been longer, and his 7-foot wingspan proved to be troublesome on both ends of the floor for D1 Minnesota. He just has a knack for scoring around the hoop, and especially today, whatever he was putting around the rim was dropping. Defensively, he swatted at least three away, maybe more.
Patrick McCaffery (2019), 6’8 SF, Iowa Barnstormers 16U
Another strong performance for Iowa’s top-ranked 2019, McCaffery was his usual patient and smart self while playing in front of his father and future coach, Fran McCaffery. He scored 11 points during a win over D1 Minnesota, and picked his shots very deliberately, none more key than his 15-footer in the final minute which put his team up two.