Prep Hoops Wisconsin All-July Evaluation Period Teams
Following the conclusion of the AAU season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin hands out our All-July teams for the summer…
FIRST TEAM
Point Guard – Jake Buchanan (Wisconsin Blizzard)
Every time we got eyes on Buchanan, he impressed. In some high level matchups at the NY2LA Summer Jam, Buchanan was able to hold his own and backed up our claim from the spring that this would be one of the breakout players in the state next season. A speedy, crafty floor general that is terrific on the drive, Buchanan put on a show for us throughout July.
Shooting Guard – Carlos Ramsey (Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels)
Just never felt like there was one game where Ramsey didn’t stand out and wasn’t one of the better players on the floor, if not the best. Still under the radar despite a dominant summer, Ramsey is a high volume scorer whose smooth, but explosive ability on the ball often over matches defenders. We tracked Ramsey from Milwaukee to Las Vegas and he proved he belonged on the floor with some top prospects in the country.
Small Forward – Marcus Domask (Ray Allen Select)
Ray Allen Select has a fairly equal-opportunity offense, which often features a balanced scoring attack, but Domask seemed to separate himself as the alpha dog on a very talented team. Domask was outstanding in Las Vegas, leading RAS Milwaukee to the 17U Platinum championship game. His team also won the NY2LA championships the week prior. You don’t generally think of 6-foot-5 small forwards as mismatch problems, but Domask’s versatility and cerebral play was a major issue for opponents across the country, leading to a nice offer spurt from the Waupun standout.
Point Forward – Brayden Dailey (Wisconsin Swing)
Unfortunately, Dailey’s summer was cut short due to illness, but he did enough to reserve a spot on the first team. A finesse shooter, yet dominating presence on the floor, the class of 2021 forward was lights out at the NY2LA Next Level Invitational, putting together a handful of huge performances — which is just the norm for Dailey.
Center – Jalen Johnson (Phenom University)
When there’s a championship in sight, Johnson seems to elevate his play to a level that few players in the country can match. Johnson and Phenom University won the NY2LA Summer Jam and followed that up with a title in the 17U Division of the AAU Super Showcase. They also placed second at the Nike Peach Jam to open the month. Johnson was big time on championship Sundays, cementing his status as a top 6-7 talent nationally — if not better. The all-around, positionless talent can literally do it all on the floor.
SECOND TEAM
Point Guard – Jaeden Zackery (Kessel Heat)
Zackery might not put up huge scoring numbers on a consistent basis, but that doesn’t mean he’s not always contributing. A two-way guard whose unselfishness and work ethic rubs off on his teammates, Zackery remains one of the best kept secrets in Wisconsin. When he got into some high level matchups at the NY2LA Summer Jam, Zackery only elevated his play.
Shooting Guard – Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Phenom University)
Baldwin just got better and better while playing up in the 16U level. We know he has arguably the best upside in the entire 2021 class, but Baldwin started showing it on a more consistent basis. Playing alongside a handful of top 100 and Division 1 prospects, Baldwin’s value to Phenom University only increased as July wore on. A deadly sharpshooter who also has huge mismatch potential as a 6-foot-8 wing, Baldwin is still scratching the surface of his ceiling …a scary thought.
Small Forward – Jadon Melvin (Wisconsin RAP)
Melvin has helped put Wisconsin RAP on the map in the state of Wisconsin. The sophomore combo forward led this group to a runner-up finish at the NY2LA Summer Jam, knocking off some of the bigger names in the Badger State along the way. A versatile forward that likes to play through contact and establish a ton, Melvin gets major points for the RAP’s Summer Jam run that proved to be no fluke whatsoever.
Power Forward – Jack Monis (Wisconsin Crusaders)
If you’re looking for glue guys, Monis is at or near the top of the list in the state of Wisconsin. A rugged forward who loves to do the dirty work and can rack up garbage points at a high rate, Monis was instrumental for the Crusaders this summer.
Center – Luke Haasl (Wisconsin Crusaders)
Haasl seems to be inching towards his ceiling as the 6-foot-10 center put together some strong spurts of basketball. The Oshkosh West standout shot the ball really well from 3-point range and is becoming a go-to threat down on the block. Still with lots of room to improve, especially physically, Haasl has a chance to really shoot up the rankings following his senior season.
THIRD TEAM
Point Guard – Karter Thomas (Ray Allen Select)
We might be snubbing Thomas, who can make a case for first-team honors, but it was a very guard-heavy summer. The Oshkosh West standout built off a very good June and went into July still on fire. A sharpshooting guard with a great frame, Thomas shot lights out all month long. He was also terrific in the pick n’ roll, able to find teammates for open looks or do it himself offensively.
Shooting Guard – Justin Kuehl (Wisconsin Swing)
An athletic two-guard with surprising athleticism, Kuehl was one of the big sleepers during the July period. Every time we watched, it felt like Kuehl put together a big scoring effort. The 6-foot-3 senior opened eyes with his ability to attack and play above the rim. If he can be more consistent with his jumper, Kuehl looks like a sound Division 2 prospect.
Small Forward – Jamari Sibley (Phenom University)
The knock on Sibley has been his ability to create his own offense and do things that aren’t necessarily highlight plays. We think he answered that to some degree in July. Sibley improved as an isolation scorer and jump shooter. His motor defensively also appears higher and the Nicolet product is not just a dunker/shot blocker anymore. Capping off a nice summer, Sibley had a couple of big performances down in Orlando at the AAU Super Showcase.
Power Forward – Donovan Ivory (Wisconsin Blizzard-Ivory)
You forgive Ivory for some of the mistakes/missed shots because he’s playing out of position for the Blizzard, but it’s hard to say he doesn’t have upside as a point forward. A 6-foot-4 combo forward with terrific ball handling skills and all-around athleticism, Ivory is one of the more intriguing talents in the state. He’s asked to do so much — score, rebound, facilitate, etc. — yet never seems to run out of gas.
Center – Nobal Days (Howard Pulley)
Days seemed to get more comfortable with his new team in July. The Racine Park standout often flirted with a double-double and tallied some very high assist numbers for a 6-foot-9 post prospect.
FOURTH TEAM
Point Guard – Isaiah Stewart (Wisconsin Dynasty)
Gray just continued to do what he does — score the basketball. He led Wisconsin Dynasty to some strong wins, putting up solid numbers practically every time he stepped on the floor. A drive and dish guard that creates a ton of looks for himself and his teammates, Stewart played well with the pressure of shouldering a large chunk of the load offensively.
Shooting Guard – Anthony Washington (Wisconsin Swing)
Washington looks like he may play his way into a Division 1 offer next year. A high-upside guard/wing that’s also a two-way player, Washington’s athleticism made some noise down at the Las Vegas Classic.
Small Forward – Max Klesmit (Wisconsin Blizzard)
Another potential snub, Klesmit broke out in July and showed what he’s capable of when Buchanan was not in the lineup, putting together some big scoring efforts with and without his backcourt running mate. A 6-foot-3 junior that looks like he can play anywhere on the perimeter, Klesmit is a shot creator with a deadly mid-range game and left a really good final impression against UA G3 Grind at the NY2LA Summer Jam.
Power Forward – Cole Dakovich (Wisconsin Shooters)
The Wisconsin Shooters had a such a strong summer that you’d like to have more of their guys on the list, but the fact of the matter is, they’re built with a bunch of team-first, unselfish players who shoulder a lot of different roles. Dakovich, we thought, was perhaps their most important player last month. A good blend of strength and finesse, Dakovich was very efficient on the interior and also protected the rim at a high level in July.
Center – Austin Westra (Wisconsin Swing)
A physical interior presence, Westra had a lot of dominant stretches of basketball in July. The 6-foot-6 forward is imposing in the paint, but also has some versatility to be able to handle and shoot the ball away from the rim. A kid that works his tail off on the glass on both ends, Westra often flirted with a double-double for the Wisconsin Swing.
FIFTH TEAM
Point Guard – Tanner Resch (Phenom University)
Resch ended the summer by dropping 30 points in the AAU Super Showcase semifinals against Team Final. One of the top shooters in the state, Resch is poised for a breakout sophomore season after being a role player for Sussex Hamilton in 2017-18.
Guard – Larry Canady (Playground Warriors)
Canady capped off July at the Fab 48 and Hoop City Live in Las Vegas. He continues to be undervalued by Division 1 schools. A two-way combo guard that leads his team in scoring, but also defends the other team’s best perimeter player, Canady not only held his own against top prospects, but often excelled.
Shooting Guard – Reid Larson (Wisconsin Academy)
We didn’t get to see Larson as much as we wanted, but he had some huge performances in July. The Fennimore standout posted 37 points against Sanford Pentagon in the second week of the July period. A smooth shooter who can get hot fast and stay hot, Larson’s effortless 3-point stroke is flat out deadly.
Power Forward – Trevon Chislom (Wisconsin Starz Elite)
Chislom and the Wisconsin Starz made a nice run in Las Vegas. A high motor forward, Chislom cleaned up the glass, worked for second chance opportunities, and scored in transition well throughout July.
Center – Grant Asman (Pack Attack)
Asman is a skilled, lanky forward that can do a number of different things . The Kimberly native is solid down on the block, but also able to stretch the floor with his shooting. Asman was surprisingly good as a shot blocker this summer, timing shots well and not leaving the ground until his opponent did to avoid fouling. Pack Attack went onto win the 15U Platinum Division at the Fab 48.
Honorable Mention: Keaton Ferris (Wisconsin Crusaders), Kobe Johnson (Phenom University), Kamari McGee (Wisconsin Sharks), Chris Bready (Young Legends) Parker Nielsen (Minnesota Select), Isaac Lindsey (Phenom University), Tyrese Hunter (Milwaukee Rebels-Spartans), Samuel Meerstein (Wisconsin Crusaders), Levi Borchert (Wisconsin Blizzard), Preston Maccoux (Ray Allen Select), Josh Govek (Wisconsin Shooters), Xzavier Jones (Playground Elite), Lucas Finnessy (Wisconsin Shooters), Cameron Palesse (Phenom University), Preston Ruedinger (Pack Attack), Zac Johnson (Wisconsin Playmakers), Kaden Clark (Wisconsin Blizzard), Carter Lancaster (Wisconsin Swing), Ace Evans (Wisconsin Shooters), Tyrese Hunter (Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels), Desmond Polk (Phenom University), Quintin Winterfeldt (Wisconsin Blizzard), Kyran Gaines (Young Legends), Johnny Davis (Playground Warriors), Reed Gunnink (Wisconsin Swing), Calvin Schmelling (Wisconsin RAP), Max Schlicht (Wisconsin Bluebirds), JaKobe Thompson (Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels), Malcolm Reed (Wisconsin Swing), Isaac Lindsey (Phenom University), Kaleim Taylor (Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels), Javeon Tolliver (Wisconsin United), Isaiah Hoyt (Wisconsin Sharks), Troy Reeves (Wisconsin Starz Elite), Carter Gilmore (Phenom University), Gage Malensek (Iowa Barnstormers), Trequan Carrington (Playground Elite), Brennan Timm (Wisconsin RAP), Donneil Gray (Wisconsin Dynasty).