2018 RANKINGS: The Final Countdown (15-11)
This is first class of players that Prep Hoops Iowa has seen over the course of their high school careers; meaning the 2018 group is one that we’ve observed more than any other. After several tweaks and adjustments, the final prospect rankings have been released — you can view them here. This is the third in a five part series highlighting the best 25 players in the class.
15 Jason Taylor (Rock Valley)
The Rockets big-man has been one of the more prolific shot-blockers in the state throughout his career at Rock Valley. As a senior he swatted 3.1 shots per game, as a junior, 3.8, and as a sophomore, 2.7. The gifted shot-blocker held an offer from South Dakota State early on in his career, and later got an offer from D2 Upper Iowa and accepted. At 6-foot-10 and with his defensive prowess, Taylor could be a good one for the Peacocks the next four seasons.
14 Camden Vander Zwaag (Johnston)
Vander Zwaag was the best player on one of the best 4A teams in the state, and though he’s long been known as one of Iowa’s best shooters, he worked to diversify his game over the past 24 months. The 2.3 assists per game as a senior were his highest in a season at Johnston, and he’ll take his new and improved versatile set of skills to D1 Air Force next fall. There, he’ll join another former Iowa high school standout, and fellow Kingdom Hoops alum, Keaton Van Soelen.
13 Corvon Seales (North Scott)
The best player on state-qualifier North Scott, Seales not only was able to get it down on the offensive side of the ball (15.5 points, 3.1 assists) but he also used his great length and athleticism to become a lock-down perimeter defender. It was during his 17U season with Quad City Elite where he really made his bones; Seales picked up eight offers, seven from D2 schools and one from D1 IUPUI, in a span of a month. He ended up committing to Minnesota State-Mankato, and could make an immediate impact with the Mavericks.
12 Lucas Duax (Hempstead)
It’s been a meteoric rise for this 6’3 point guard, and after an exceedingly strong senior season with Hempstead, he makes one final push up the rankings. Duax led the Mustangs in scoring (19.1) while shooting an astonishing 60 percent from the floor — that’d be good for a big-man at low-level high school hoops, let alone a guard playing in 4A. Duax also was the team leader is assists and steals. He averaged 6.1 rebounds per game for good measure. He can handle it, shoots well of the dribble, and possesses a high basketball IQ. Upper Iowa was able to nab Duax before his senior season began, they got themselves (another) good one.
11 Jackson Joens (Xavier)
Like clockwork, we got to see this big and skilled wing each of the last three March’s down at Wells Fargo Arena during the state tournament. The first two state tourneys for Joens, he was masterful. While starting as a sophomore, he had a coming out party, making timely shot after timely shot while showcasing his picture-perfect stroke from deep. He replicated that success the next March during another state title run for Xavier. Coincidentally, he’s the third guy from this list (also Taylor and Duax), who will be heading to D2 Upper Iowa next season. We had the 6’6 wing pegged as a fringe D1 guy; so, again, the Peacocks have knocked it out of the park.