UPDATED 2019 Rankings: Biggest Risers
DJ Carton (25 to 2)
In the three plus years we’ve been doing this, nobody has had a more meteoric rise from one installment to the next than this Bettendorf sensation. We didn’t know much about him not too long ago, but did know he posted decent numbers for a sophomore as a starter on a real good team — so we put him at 25th . Then we saw him at the state tournament, and it was clear then that he was a top-10 guy. And then the offers came rolling in during his 16U spring, including the big one from Wisconsin. That Wisconsin offer is primarily what catapults him into the two spot.
Trayvon Williams (16 to 12)
Even without playing a lick of varsity ball, Williams continues to climb up the rankings. He’s a supremely quick and athletic 6-foot-3 scoring guard, who could very well blow up this winter with Valley. He was absolutely dominant when he played at the Urbandale Team Camp earlier this month, nobody could stop him. And defensively, he might be one of the best on-ball guys in the state.
Agueck Deng (19 to 15)
Valley is so loaded that they have two juniors-to-be in the top 15, and neither of them have played one varsity minute. Deng (and Williams) would have started and starred with most other teams in the state last season, but Valley coach BJ Windhorst is being patient with them. Deng is a versatile stretch-four, who can hit an open 3-ball, and get well above the rim for some monster slams.
Japannah Kellogg (42 to 16)
Nobody made a larger leap in these rankings than this increasingly versatile small forward. He’s been saying for awhile now that his goal was to become a wing, and he’s made huge strides with that. He’s tall and very rangy, puts the ball on the deck with ease, and glides to the rim where he uses that great length to finish over opponents. Kellogg may not be done moving up the charts — his upside is sky high. You can see him running with adidas-sponsored D1 Minnesota this summer.
Cliff McCray (28 to 20)
He posted some nice numbers as a sophomore with Sioux City West, leading his team in assists, steals and rebounding. And when we finally got to see him play this spring with Showtime Hoopers, he did not disappoint. He’s got some decent size at 6’2, and gets to the rim seemingly at will. His passing may be his strongest suit, McCray is a true point guard, who could warrant some D1 interest before too long.
Logan Wolf (36 to 23)
What an improvement this 6-foot-3 guard has made since last summer. We got a good look at the Cedar Falls product this spring in Madison, WI at the Rock Classic, and he was at times a top player on the Barnstormers’ 16U squad. His confidence was high, and he was playing aggressive, and when he does that, he’s one of the top 25 players in Iowa’s 2019 class.
Keegan Murray (41 to 25)
This Cedar Rapids Prairie product continues to make his way up the charts, and again finds himself on the “Biggest Risers” list. He had a nice sophomore season, averaging 9.0 points per game and connecting on 44 percent of his deep balls. And he continued to show in the summer that he’s one of Iowa’s elite shooters, and that his ceiling is very high.
Dillon Carlson (38 to 29)
The more we see of this Ankeny and Martin Brothers guard, the more we like. He’s got that innate basketball savvy about him, and seems to always know the best maneuver to make on the floor. His skill-set is coming along nicely, and his passing/shooting combo is certainly among the beat in his class.