2019 Rankings Update: Biggest Risers
The class of 2019 rankings have been updated following the July evaluation period. Who were the biggest risers in the latest update? No. 13 Donovan Ivory (Kaukauna/Wisconsin Blizzard/Ivory) Previous: 32 Ivory has established himself as one of the best Division…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2019 rankings have been updated following the July evaluation period. Who were the biggest risers in the latest update?
No. 13 Donovan Ivory (Kaukauna/Wisconsin Blizzard/Ivory)
Previous: 32
Ivory has established himself as one of the best Division 2 prospects in the state. An intriguing 6-foot-4 combo forward with plus-length and athleticism, Ivory has point forward potential. A terrific ball handler and budding shooter, Ivory has high scoring potential at the next level, but it’s important to remember how he came up. Playing in the shadow of Jordan McCabe, Eric Carl, and others, Ivory had to do the little things — clean the glass, protect the rim, make hustle plays. That background could allow him to become a very complete prospect as his best days are still ahead.
No. 14 Luke Haasl (Oshkosh West/Wisconsin Crusaders)
Previous: 36
Still surprising to see that the Division 2 schools haven’t jumped in here yet. Perhaps it’s the Division 1 programs now showing attention that’s scaring them off. Either way, Haasl had a strong summer and certainly proved he’s a scholarship player.The 6-foot-10 big man can stretch the floor and shoot the basketball, play with his back to the basket, and has a budding skill set on the block. Haasl is still pretty raw physically, but is coordinated and has a chance to be a go-to post at the next level.
No. 17 Quintin Winterfeldt (Waupun/Wisconsin Blizzard)
Previous: 31
Another kid that should be a lot better in 3-4 years, Winterfeldt has a ton of upside and is still scratching the surface. A big, athletic wing, Winterfeldt is a terrific slasher and can do some impressive things around the basket. Skill development and defense are two areas of growth for this 6-foot-5 wing, but playing under Dan Domask in 2018-19, Winterfeldt could be primed for a breakout year.
No. 19 Donneil Gray (Madison LaFollette/Wisconsin Dynasty)
Previous: 30
Often when prospects get to the 17U level, those with physical limitations begin to level off. That wasn’t the case with Gray. The 5-foot-9 guard was just as productive, if not more so this past summer. An electric, high-scoring guard, Gray began picking up Division 1 interest. Expect him to put up big numbers as a senior and potentially lead Madison LaFollette to a Big Eight title and a deep run in March.
No. 20 Austin Westra (DeForest/Wisconsin Swing Bredesen)
Previous: 42
A physical, athletic forward, Westra had some dominant stretches of basketball over the summer. Able to outwork and out-tough his opponent, Westra’s motor led to some big performances. While he’s at his best around the rim as a tone setter, Westra has some versatility as well. He’s shown some ability to slash from the high post and the perimeter and occasionally shoot the basketball.
No. 25 Justin Kuehl (Hustisford/Wisconsin Swing Bredesen)
Previous: 58
It was evident early in the summer that we had Kuehl severely underrated. An explosive guard who can play above the rim, Kuehl had a very strong summer. A good athlete, Kuehl lived at the rim, able to get to the cup in the half court and transition. If he shows consistency in his jumper, the Division 2 offers should come.
No. 26 Malcolm Reed (Barneveld/Wisconsin Swing)
Previous: 53
Reed is one of the most unique players in this class. A 6-foot-4 point guard, the Barneveld standout really started to come into his own in July and became the leader of this Swing team. He’s not much of a scoring threat away from the rim, but his athleticism and defensive impact give him good value at the Division 2 level.
No. 36 Samuel Meerstein (Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran/Wisconsin Crusaders)
Previous: 52
A knockdown shooter with good size, Meerstein is a borderline Division 2/3 talent. He may not wow anybody athletically, but the 6-foot-4 sniper understands the finer points of the shooting guard position. He’s able to get himself open on and off the ball, create space, and find the soft spots in the defense.
No. 38 Chris Bready (Waukesha West/Young Legends)
Previous: 80
The biggest riser in the latest rankings update, Bready is a terrific two-way guard. It looks as if he’ll fall to the Division 3 level, but he could be a cornerstone prospect there or seriously increase his stock after a prep or junior college stint. A 6-foot-3 combo guard, Bready can break people
down and get to the rim. If defenders give him space, Bready is a strong pull-up jump shooter.
No. 39 Jack Monis (Lakeside Lutheran/Wisconsin Crusaders)
Previous: 78
The more we watched Monis, the more we were impressed. Upon first look at the 6-foot-5 forward, you see a rugged prospect that does a lot of the dirty work. After more viewings, Monis is not only an outstanding glue guy, but he’s got some tools offensively. Able to score on the block or slash from the perimeter/high post, Monis put up some eye-opening numbers for a very talented Crusaders team. A skilled forward in a football player’s body, Monis is one of the best kept secrets in the state.
No. 41 Tyler Robarge (Chippewa Falls/Wisconsin City Select)
Previous: 57
Robarge should be a very good small school prospect. The 6-foot-8 forward has a nice blend of physicality and finesse. He’s willing to the run floor and has a motor that doesn’t stop on either end. Robarge has an above average skill set on the block and can finish with either hand. Always in the middle of the action, Robarge is one of the best competitors in the state.
No. 47 Lucas Stieber (Green Bay Southwest/Team 1848)
Previous: 67
Been a big believer in Stieber since April and he didn’t drop off since. Stieber isn’t well-known because he doesn’t put up big scoring numbers, but he’s without a doubt one of the top facilitators in the state. A creative floor general with a deep bag of tricks, Stieber fools defenses with no-look and behind-the-back passes.
No. 50 Kaden Clark (Appleton East/Wisconsin Blizzard)
Previous: NR
Clark shot the ball extremely well all summer. Someone we didn’t know about at all going into July, Clark became a go-to threat and quite the offensive creator for the Blizzard. The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter is dangerous when there’s a hand down and is comfortable pulling the trigger from just about anywhere on the floor.
No. 54 Cameron Paske (Lakeside Lutheran/Wisconsin Swing)
Previous: NR
A physical post presence with a soft shooting touch, Paske had some big games in July. The 6-foot-7 senior shot the ball well from the outside and was very efficient. Paske has a wide base, but moves well for his size.
No. 57 Kyran Gaines (Milwaukee Madison/Young Legends)
Previous: NR
This is a kid that averaged better than 24 points per game at Milwaukee Madison as a junior. The 6-foot-6 senior has a unique skill set as an isolation forward. He loves to pull bigs away from the rim and take them off the dribble. Gaines is also a good enough shooter from 3-point range that the opposition has to chase him out there. Gaines also has a high motor and works for second chance points.
No. 63 Max Schlicht (Middleton/Wisconsin Bluebirds)
Previous: NR
The lefty is very effective in the high post. Schlicht is a terrific passer that has a knack for finding back door cutters. He can turn, face, and either hit mid-range jumpers or slash to the basket. After missing his junior season due to injury, Schlicht should be one of the top players in the Big Eight this season.
No. 78 Henry Noone (Lourdes Academy/Randolph Boys Club)
Previous: NR
An efficient scorer from all areas, Noone was very consistent in July. A kid that hit nearly 80 3-pointers as a junior and shot 46.0 percent from the field, Noone has a knack for scoring the basketball. Noone has a soft shooting touch, moves well without the basketball, and can score with a hand in his face.