Iowa’s All-Class Top 50 (50-46)
As the season draws near, we’re going to roll out a ten part series counting down the 50 best players in Iowa, regardless of class. There are no frosh on the list, and some sophomores are sprinkled in. Look for Iowa’s 2019 class to make a very strong showing in the rankings; man is that the junior class stacked. And, of course, there will be plenty of seniors to highlight. We might be biased, but we feel like the state of Iowa is egregiously underrated, and as a result, under-recruited year-in and year-out; this top 50 list is a strong group of players, and plainly showcases just how much talent we have here in the Hawkeye State.
50. Troy Houghton, 6’3 G/F, Council Bluffs Lincoln (2018)
A transfer from Omaha Northwest coming into his junior season, Houghton integrated himself into the Lynx’ rotation right away, and with stunning success. Last season, the Sioux Falls signee led CB Lincoln in points (13.1) and blocks (1.8), and should see those numbers rise this season.
49. Tyrese Nickelson, 6′ PG, Waterloo East (2019)
There’s a small sample size to draw from, but it’s a remarkably successful sample size nonetheless. The Waterloo East junior played in the final 10 games last season for the Trojans, and netted 24.8 points per game while doing so, and with good shooting efficiency to boot. Nickelson had to overcome traumatic offseason, but should be available to excel again this winter.
48. Cade Moritz, 6’8 PF, Des Moines Roosevelt (2018)
Roosevelt could surprise some people this season, and its big-man in the post will be a big reason why. Moritz is lengthy and bouncier than people might give him credit for. He should wreak havoc for all teams who try and challenge him in the paint this winter on Des Moines’ west side. He’ll bounce out and hit some 10-footers, too.
46. Griffin Calrk, 5’10 PG, Cedar Rapids Prairie (2018)
Cedar Rapids Prairie will almost certainly have a lot of success this season, and they can attribute much of that to the work Clark has put in over the past 12 months. He went from a guy on our radar to clearly one of the state’s best point guards over the course of the past year, and it’s his elite speed and high IQ that make him a true game-changer.
45. Hakeem Odunsi, 6’5 G/F, Iowa City West (2018)
It became more clear this past offseason that Odunsi has about as much potential as any player in the state. With great size and an uncanny ability to survey the floor and find his teammates, Odunsi is a a true definition of point-forward. And it could be that he’s just scratching the surface. Look for him to help lead Iowa City West to a potential fifth state title in seven years, and then maybe JuCo, followed by D1 opportunities.
The Last Five Out
Lino Malual (Des Moines North), Jackson Molstead (Charles City), Dylan Peeters (Assumption), Kylan Smallwood (Creston), John Herrick (Boone).