Future Stars Camp: All-Stars
Hiawatha, Iowa — Last weekend, Prep Hoops headed to Hiawatha, Iowa and got the chance the check out some of the top talent Eastern Iowa has to offer. After several games that culminated in a top-20 showcase, these six guys were picked out of a talented group of 60-plus players as the best of the bunch.
MVP: Jack Wetzel, 6’4 G (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
It wasn’t on the main court, but we heard, and later confirmed, that Wetzeld dropped 40 points in one of the early match-ups at the event. His teammate, Trey Shearer — who also had a great day — said Wetzel scored the last 17 points of that game for their. He was sensational on the main court in the title game, too. And scored a game-high 23 points to lead his team, easily, to the title.
Keshawn Christian, 6’2 G (Iowa City High)
Perhaps the most gifted athlete at the event, Christian was passive at times, and sharing the rock plenty. But, still, he was bound to let loose that athleticism at some point, and he got up for the best jam of the event. A two-hand flush, with ease. Christian will have a big summer ahead with the Iowa Barnstormers, maybe some offers will be in store.
Keaton Kutcher, 6′ G (Mount Vernon)
There were several really good shooters at this event, but Kutcher might have been the best. He’s got a little AJ Green in him (some nice handles and a smooth, precise, elevated jumper). and considering Green is one of Iowa’s best high school players in recent history, that’s no small statement. Kutcher will hit from anywhere and anywhere, and seemingly has a very bright future ahead of him.
Kris Murray, 6’5 SG (Cedar Rapids Prairie)
The Murray brothers, Kris and Keegan, had just gotten back from a Mexico vacation, so it would have been understandable in they were dragging a bit. But Kris steeped up in the top-20 showcase and was the leading scorer in that game, getting loose for two pretty 3-balls back-to-back in the first part of it. Dad, Kenyon, played at Iowa in the mid-1990s, and his sons have plenty of Division I interest as they head into their senior seasons.
Nathan Michels, 6’2 G (Benton)
He may not have been MVP, but he might have been the most consistently impressive player at the camp from start to finish. The Benton guard is long, athletic, and skilled; that’s generally a recipe for success, and he was dropping dimes as adeptly as he was canning 3s. The kid plays both sides of the bell very well, and will be a guy to keep an eye on this summer for D2 and NAIA schools.
Tyler Andrews, 6’4 SF (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
If there was any player at the showcase that has the most potential, it was probably Andrews. The big and bouncy wing was blocking shots routinely, sometimes off the backboard, and hitting 3-balls, too. He played on the Linn-Mar sophomore team this past season, but will reportedly transfer to Cedar Rapids Kennedy (where he’ll play with MVP, Wetzel) next season. Andrews is still undecided on who he’ll play with this spring an summer, but he could should certainly have a breakout next twelve months.