Updated 2020 Rankings: Biggest Risers — Part I
There wasn’t too much shakeup atop the 2020 rankings this time around. One major move was Ty Anderson, the North Scott wing was offered and committed to Northern Iowa, so he leaped way ahead. Besides that, it was a relatively…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere wasn’t too much shakeup atop the 2020 rankings this time around. One major move was Ty Anderson, the North Scott wing was offered and committed to Northern Iowa, so he leaped way ahead. Besides that, it was a relatively quiet simmer in terms of recruitment for the incoming juniors. But there was plenty of action toward the middle and back end of the rankings. Here’s eight guys who made the biggest jumps in this installment.
Ty Anderson (North Scott) — 11 to 4
It’s always a big deal when a guy jumps into the top five. And it’s also a big deal when a guy nabs a offer from Northern Iowa. Anderson was already highly regarded by us, and the UNI offer makes him a sure-fire top five guy in this class. He was role player last season for North Scott, a state tourney team. But his size, length and versatility are clearly D1-caliber. Look for him to have a breakout junior season with the Lancers.
John Steffen (Linn-Mar) — 27 to 23
Each time we’ve seen Steffen play, he’s impressed us more and more. He’s not big, just 6-foot, but his skill-level is very high and he’s a smooth lead guard who’s learning to play the point guard position. In a loaded Linn-Mar system, he’s yet to break out for his high school career. But look for him to burst onto the scene this season for the Lancers, in a big way.
Jaleque Dunson (Sioux City East) — 32 to 25
Dunson got plenty of run for state tourney team Sioux City East last season as a sophomore, and he’s going to be a go-to guy on that squad this winter. He was magnificent when we saw him playing with Sioux City Bombers at the Hardwood Classic in Lawrence, KS. He possesses a potent nice combo of skill, size and length.
Andre Brandon (Liberty) — 61 to 29
The 6-foot-5 wing had a big-time season for Iowa City Liberty last season as a sophomore, averaging team-bests 14.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He carried that momentum into the offseason, where he reportedly had a monster spring and summer with both Iowa Dynasty and the Barnstormers. He’s a guy that could have a slew of offers by this time next season.
Cody McCullough (Centennial) — 35 to 31
The Ankeny Centennial wing is 6-foot-7 and able to make an impact from nearly anywhere on the floor. He was dominant in the paint against a much smaller team during one viewing of him this summer, when he was playing with All Iowa Attack 16U. We’ve seen him as an effective wing plenty, too.
Josh Ollendieck (Cedar Falls) — 37 to 33
Again, this Cedar Falls guard makes a jump. He’s very highly regarded by his grassroots coach, Tim Schurring from Iowa Prep, and has always been held in high regard by us, ever since seeing him at our Top 250 Expo two years ago. He’s been waiting in the wings at Cedar Falls, and should have a chance to shine this season for Cedar Falls.
LJ Henderson (Clinton) — 40 to 34
He dropped a bit in the previous rankings after a lackluster sophomore season with Clinton. But after seeing him play this summer with Quad City Elite, it was clear that he’s definitely one of the state’s best athletes on the hardwood. We fully expect Henderson to have a bounce-back junior season with the River Kings.
Jake Beckamann (Xavier) — 46 to 37
Cedar Rapids Xavier has had no shortage of talent at the point guard position the past few years when current South Dakota State player Matt Mims was at the helm, and there are guys coming in this season that should continue that PG legacy. Beckamnn is a guy that could take the reins this season, a tough and athletic lead guard who had a huge summer with Team Iowa White, one of the state’s best 16U squads.