UPDATED 2018 Rankings: Biggest Risers
Garrett Sturtz (26 to 8)
Every time we see this kid play, he dominates the competition. Whether it was with state tournament qualifier Newton, where he averaged 19.8 points per game while also leading the team in assists, steals, blocks and rebounds, or with Iowa Intensity, Sturtz is seemingly always the best player on the floor. He’s been so good, that one of the nation’s best grassroots teams, Iowa Barnstormers 17U, have asked him to join them on the adidas Circuit this summer. Offers should start coming in soon for the upstart guard.
Derrick Diggins (25 to 14)
This is a guy who started on a state qualifying Cedar Rapids Kennedy team as a freshman, but was always a bit underwhelming during our viewings of him. That has changed dramatically over the past six months, and we’ve seen this explosive 6-foot-3 guard dominate competition at a high level this spring. His dynamic ability was first on display at the state tournament in March, when he helped his team comeback from a huge first half deficit against Dubuque, Hempstead. And then, against some of the best competition in the Midwest, we saw him handle guys with blow-by ability at Midwest Live! in Des Moines. Diggins looks like a fringe D1 talent.
Austin Alexander (43 to 18)
His meteoric rise continues, and after making a very high debut in the last installment, this Atlantic point guard makes a jump into the top 20. He’s 6-foot-6, and his primary position is point guard — that alone makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the state. But his handles for his size are on point, and his jumper is pure. A lot like Garrett Franken before him at Atlantic, Alexander looks to be a fringe D1 prospect; we won’t be surprised if D2 and D1 offers come pouring in soon.
Lucas Duax (28 to 20)
It’s another bump in the rankings for this Dubuque, Hempstead point guard, and at 6-foot-3 with a tight handle and playmaking ability, Duax looks like a no-doubt scholarship player. He helped lead the Mustangs to a state tournament appearance last season, and will be the engine that makes them go again next fall. This summer he’ll again play with Tri-State Steam — one of the best 17U squads in Iowa — along with Hempstead teammate Keith Johnson.
Griff Clark (27 to 21)
For a while during the spring, Griff Clark was everywhere we were, and each and every time we saw him, he dazzled. We compare him to former Valley standout Turner Scott, who is now paying at D2 Truman State. And Clark looks like he could play at that level too. Supremely quick, with a high level of skill, Clark is a dead-eye shooter and can create his own looks. He’ll ball with Iowa Mavericks Purple this summer, and is the best player on that team, one of Iowa’s best grassroots squads.
Parker Badding (136 to 35)
Wow has this kid made some substantial improvements with his skill-set. We knew he was good, he’s always been a good a good player, but he’s been downright exceptional in several viewings this spring. He jumps 101 spots, more than anyone else in the rankings, because of his play this spring. A 6-foot-1 combo-guard, Badding is a fluid and skilled shooter and ball-handler, and has takeover capability. He’s good enough to lead Kuemper back to a state tournament next season.
Tyler Kelley (112 to 36)
A big and skilled wing, Kelley didn’t post huge numbers last season as a junior with West Delaware, he averaged 11.1 points per game. But it’s his length, size, defense and other variables that make him a sure-fire D2 prospect. He did though lead the Hawks in steals and blocks last season, and has carried that versatile skill-set into his offseason woth Iowa Mavericks Purple. Big, physical and versatile, it won’t be long before NAIAs and D2s start to offer the 6-foot-5 guard/forward hybrid.
Cade Daugherty (103 to 50)
We didn’t know a lot about the athletic lead guard until we saw him play at the FutureStars camp in Dubuque in April. Right away, he established himself as one of the best players in a gym that was chock-full of Iowa’s top talent. He’s a quick and high-rising combo guard, who is a lights out shooter. Last season for Bellevue, the 6-foot then-junior averaged 18.9 points per game and led the team in assists, steals and rebounds. He’s fun to watch, and will have a huge senior season for the 2A Comets.