Class of 2020 Rankings Update: Breaking Down the Top 10
Breaking down the new top 10 in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin player rankings for the class of 2020… 1. Jalen Johnson (Nicolet/Phenom University) Previous: 1 Johnson compares favorably to many of the best players the state has produced in…
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Continue ReadingBreaking down the new top 10 in the updated Prep Hoops Wisconsin player rankings for the class of 2020…
1. Jalen Johnson (Nicolet/Phenom University)
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Johnson compares favorably to many of the best players the state has produced in recent memory. A do-it-all, positionless talent, Johnson already has offers from the likes of Duke, UCLA, Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona, and Marquette. A clear cut top 10 prospect nationally, Johnson not only elevates everyone around him, but elevates himself in a major when way championship games are in sight. In the last two July’s, Johnson has been part of a team that won five of six tournaments, with his only defeat coming in the Peach Jam title game this past summer.
2. Johnny Davis (La Crosse Central/Playground Warriors)
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Davis is a pretty unorthodox shooting guard. He’s not a great shooter, particularly from 3-point range and prefers to live at the rim, but when it comes down to it, he just plays harder than anyone else. Davis will probably have limitations offensively at the next level, but he’s arguably the state’s best perimeter defender, has budding athleticism, and can slash at a very high level. Still very underrated nationally, Davis was named first-team All-Under Armour Association after averaging 17 ppg while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.
3. Jamari Sibley (Nicolet/Phenom University)
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Sibley continues to challenge for the No. 2 spot. He’s sometimes in the shadow of Johnson and Reece Beekman, who are the playmakers of Phenom University, but Sibley has improved his shot creating ability. A momentum changer on both ends, Sibley racks up highlight blocks and dunks. Along with his isolation scoring ability, if Sibley gets stronger and does things that affect the game below the rim, he’ll end up in that second spot.
4. Desmond Polk (Nicolet/Phenom University)
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Felt like Polk could never get into much of a rhythm in July as he was banged up here and there, but saw enough to know he wasn’t overshadowed on a team full of stars. A solid two-way guard who can heat up from 3-point range offensively and create turnovers defensively, Polk also still has a ton of upside left. An athletic, lengthy guard, Polk can be an elite on-ball defender nationally. His consistency from downtown wasn’t always there, but Polk finished the summer very strong and was a major x-factor for Phenom University in their run to the NY2LA Summer Jam championship.
5. Isaac Lindsey (Mineral Point/Phenom University)
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Struggled with this decision for a while and feel it’s still pretty fluid in the 4-7 range. This won’t be a popular pick, but I’m going to reward one of the better underrated summers. Lindsey has a tough job. Surrounded by so much talent, the Mineral Point standout gets a lot of looks. One of the Midwest’s best sharpshooters, if Lindsey makes it, it’s expected. If he misses, he’s a goat and he’s let his team down to some degree. Shooting under that pressure, Lindsey was extremely consistent. Playing in the EYBL, he wasn’t the liability defensively I thought he’d be and was better at attacking the rim and scoring from mid-range despite some physical limitations.
6. Terrance Thompson (La Crosse Central/Phenom University)
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Making the move to Phenom University, Thompson’s impact diminished some. I’ve still seen enough to know that Thompson remains one of the more intriguing players in the state. The 6-foot-8 forward runs the floor very well and can completely dominate the glass. Many people still don’t know how well Thompson can shoot from 3-point range either. A kid that’s young for his grade and has a seven-foot wingspan, Thompson’s best days are still ahead of him.
7. Kaleim Taylor (Milwaukee Academy of Science/Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels)
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Taylor played on a few different teams over the summer and it was a little hard to get into the flow of things. When he turns it on and plays consistent basketball, Taylor is a top four prospect in the state no doubt. A strong, athletic guard that scores well from all areas of the floor, Taylor can put up big numbers offensively.
8. Jordan Davis (La Crosse Central/Playground Warriors)
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Speaking of consistency, Davis just brings it every time out. He’s not going to wow anybody in any particular area, but Davis is solid across the board. An excellent mid-range shooter with sneaky athleticism, Davis can mix it up between shooting the basketball and slashing. Defensively, he’s a lock down wing that plays the passing lanes very well. While Davis may end up playing football, he’s also a sound mid-major hoops prospect.
9. Dalton Banks (Eau Claire North/D1 Minnesota)
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Banks is a solid point guard that earned some Division 1 offers this summer. Playing a lot of mistake-free basketball, Banks is a terrific leader that lives in high percentage areas. We saw him take on some of the better guards in the Midwest and Banks not only looked like he belonged, he played quite well. A pass-first guard that can score when he needs to, Banks epitomizes what it means to be a floor general.
10. Carter Gilmore (Arrowhead/Phenom University)
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Prior to July, I definitely didn’t expect to have Gilmore in this spot. When he moved to Phenom University, was thinking he’d be an afterthought on that team. That was anything but the case as Gilmore carved out a good niche for himself. A scrappy, high-motor forward, Gilmore racked up hustle plays, cleaned up the glass, and protected the rim. However, when he had an opening to score, Gilmore wasn’t just deferring to all the talent around him. A versatile scoring weapon, Gilmore can stretch the floor and take slower forwards off the dribble. He’ll continue to generate Division 1 offers next year.
Also considered: Anthony Washington (Madison East/Wisconsin Swing), Caden Boser (Eau Claire Memorial/Wisconsin Swing)