Battle at the Lakes: Iowa Players to Watch (17U)
SG Garrett Sturtz, Iowa Intensity
Sturtz is one of the most talented scorers in the state, regardless of class. He has great footwork, and does a nice job using a variety of ball fakes, change of pace, and that footwork, to help him create space to get his shot off. He’s a very good shooter from the mid-range, can get hot from the arc, and has the ability to get to the rim and finish or get to the free throw line, where he’s a 90%+ shooter. He’s got great length which enables him to cause some problems on the defensive end, and he’s a highly intelligent player who understands angles, spacing and how to defend both on and off the ball. He’s not an overwhelming athlete, so nothing that he does is going to blow you away, but he’s a pretty safe bet to be putting up 20 in every game he plays.
SF Zaine Leedom, Iowa Intensity
Leedom is a very athletic wing who runs the floor and finishes above the rim with the best of them in the state. He has great length, which he uses to contest and block shots on the defensive ends, and gobble up rebounds on both ends of the floor. His offensive skill set has rapidly improved, turning himself from primarily an interior scorer into a versatile threat who can step out to the arc and knock down 3s, or take his defender off the dribble and get to the rim. A gifted athlete with the ability to score inside and out, he should be on the radar of Division II and NAIA programs, and is a must for Division III schools.
PG Hunter Strait, Team Iowa Blue
The top ranked Iowa player in the field, Strait is our No. 6 player in the 2018 class. A gifted, playmaking point guard, he has exceptional ball handling abilities and is a great passer with plus-court vision. He’s really started to emerge as a scoring threat as well, with a rapidly improving jumper, particularly from the mid-range, and he has the ability to get to the rim seemingly at will with his ability to change pace and handle the ball. Blessed with great length for the point guard spot, he can make an impact on the defensive end when he’s engaged as well. Look for the Team Iowa backcourt of Strait and Derrick Diggins to put on a show.
G Derrick Diggins, Team Iowa Blue
An explosive athlete who is a treat to watch on the break, Diggins is also turning himself into a big-time scoring threat in the halfcourt setting. He’s a streaky perimeter shooter, but when he gets it going, he’s capable of putting up a lot of points in a hurry. Where he excels is playing downhill, turning the corner in the pick-and-roll and getting to the rim for buckets. He has some length, rebounds well for a guard and has stretches where he dominates the game on both ends. The key for him will be putting forth a consistent effort on both ends.
PG Lucas Duax, Tri-State Steam
Duax has been one of the biggest stock boosters around the state over the first month of the grassroots season. An explosive athlete, he’s been a sensational scoring threat for his Tri-State Steam group, displaying a tight handle, consistent and deadly mid-range game, and improving range on his jumper. He’s dynamic in the pick-and-roll, finishes above the rim and competes on the glass. On the defensive end, like most players on this list, he has good length and lateral movement that allows him to stay in front of the ball handler. He’s a player that should be on the radar of any school in attendance with some scholarship money to give.
Keith Johnson
F Keith Johnson, Tri-State Steam
One of the best rebounders in the state, Johnson has great hands and is an explosive leaper who rebounds at a high level on both ends of the floor, and can get the job done both in and out of his area. A 6-5 combo forward, he has the ability to defend multiple positions with his athleticism, lateral movement and length. He’s capable of stepping out to the arc and scoring, but a majority of his scoring right now comes off of offensive rebounds. As he continues to develop his offensive skill set, he should become a valued commodity.
GF Jocoa Kerschen, Iowa Pump n Run
An elite shooter with good length, Kerschen also contributes in a big way on the glass. His shooting, however, is what separates him from others in the class. At 6-3, he moves well without the ball, has a quick release and can get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants. He should be on the radar of any Division III program looking to add a shooter with some size, and with continued strong play, he could potentially work his way into some scholarship money at the NAIA level.
PF Logan Hoffman, Iowa Pump n Run
A big, wide body with some skills, Hoffman is a physical interior player who is capable of scoring on the block with a variety of moves and countermoves. He’s got great hands, is solid on the glass, and has good touch around the rim. He has the frame to carve out space in the paint, and he’s continually worked to improve his range. A player that will win you extra possessions on the offensive glass, and a solid scoring big who you can dump it down to when you need a bucket.