Kings of the Court: Sunday Standouts
Michael Duax, 6’3 G (Martin Brothers 15U)
Dubuque, Hempstead fans have another Duax to get excited for, and there’s a chance Michael could end up being the best one yet. He’s grown considerably since we saw him at our Top 250 Expo last fall, and he’s always been skilled. He’s added the height and length to some toughness and the existing skill-set, making him a guy that can do a little bit of everything, and does it well. He scored 25 points in the Martin Brothers’ title game win over Kingdom Hoops.
Cortaviaus Seales, 6′ PG (Iowa Mavericks 17U-Gosnell)
He was strikingly good in the second half during a semifinal loss to eventual champs Kingdom Hoops-Mosley. Seales, who had been held scoreless, notched 18 second half points in that one, breezing by opponents and finishing tough shots at the rim and from mid-range; he canned a 3-ball in the whirlwind of offensive output, too. He looks like one of the 2019’s best point guards.
Hosea Treadwell, 6’2 G (Kingdom Hoops-Mosley 17U)
Each time we see him he shows more and more improvement, and Treadweell — who has certainly been a stock-riser this spring — was arguably the best player for Kingdom Hoops on Sunday during their title run. He’s known as a confident sharpshooter, who will let if fly from well beyond the arc. But his ability to find the open man, and dribble-drive has come a long way. He’ll be one of the CIML’s best next season.
John Steffen, 6’1 G (Iowa Mavericks 16U-Cleveland)
This Linn-Mar guard showed vast improvement from last spring to last fall, and he’s continuing to trend in the right direction. Skilled and with a high IQ, shooting the long-ball is probably Steffen’s best strength, but he’s not limited to just that. His handle is crisper than we remember, and he’s able to get to the rim when opponents are hounding him on the perimeter. He was the best scorer on a really good Mavs-Cleveland squad this weekend.
Carter Duwa, 5’11 G (Iowa Prep Red 17U)
Man can this kid play, two words came to mind when watching him rise up for his beautiful jumper, butter and precision. He’s not big, but he gets great elevation on his jumper and has the handle and quickness to create the separation needed to get off a clean look. When he does get off a clean look, chances are it’s going to drop, and if he misses, it’s never by much.
Dylan Johnson, 6’6 G/F (Martin Brothers 15U)
This Western Dubuque freshman is one of 2021’s best prospects, a big and skilled combo-forward who’s equally adept at canning a 3 or banning in the post. On a team of standouts, Johnson really stood out as a key and prominent piece, and that’s quite the feat considering his Martin Bros squad took home a 15U title.
Derek Krogmann, 6’6 PF (Martin Brothers 17U)
No stranger to these standout lists, Krogmann was at it again during his team’s runner-up finish on Sunday. The big lefty was most impressive while flashing some nice lift while he slammed home a one-step, two hand flush baseline in the title game; he did that through a couple guys for good measure. He stepped out and hit a smooth 14-footer, and was just an all around beast in the paint. We’ll wait and see what D1 offers might come in this summer for the lengthy lefty.
Zach Martinek, 6’4 G (Iowa Prep Red 17U)
The West Fork, Sheffield guard is big and athletic and his game has come a really long way over the past two years. That’s saying a lot because coming into the spring he was already highly regarded by us at PHIA. The stock-riser has added plenty of strength and bounce and was in attack mode all weekend. He’ll find a spot on a college roster in the fall of 2020. Who couldn’t use a strong, skilled and big combo-guard?