Iowa’s League Pass Rankings Part II (5-1)
The NBA season is now in full swing, and as an homage to one of the nation’s most prominent NBA writers, Zach Lowe of ESPN, we at Prep Hoops have been publishing “League Pass” lists from around the country. Every year…
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Continue ReadingThe NBA season is now in full swing, and as an homage to one of the nation’s most prominent NBA writers, Zach Lowe of ESPN, we at Prep Hoops have been publishing “League Pass” lists from around the country. Every year prior to the NBA season, Lowe ranks the teams in order of how exciting they are to watch. Below, we’re not necessarily ranking the best teams in Iowa — although many are included — the list is simply the teams we believe will be the most fun to watch.
5. Iowa City West
When you think of elite hoops programs in Iowa, the first one that comes to mind might be Iowa City West. The Trojans have churned out more D1 prospects than any other program over the last five years, by far. This season, they have 6-foot-8 Iowa-commit Patrick McCaffery back for his senior season. Also, they’ve added 6-foot-9 big-man Even Brauns, Iowa’s 3rd-ranked 2020 who transferred in from Regina. Between the two of them, West could lead the state in dunks this winter.
4. North Linn
The Lynx love to run, and when you have one of the state’s all-time best point guards on your roster, why wouldn’t they. Jake Hilmer has already broken the all-time assists mark and single-season assists record in the state, and his theatrics alone make this team worth the price of admission. Throw in the fact they outscored every team in the state last season by a very wide margin, and the Lynx were a no-brainer for this list.
3. Grand View Christian
The two-time defending state champs are favored once again to bring home a title, and it could be a wild ride back to Wells Fargo Arena. Not only does Issa Samake return, a 6’7 Drake commit with a 7’4 wing-span who can jump out of the gym, but they’ve added another D1 commit with Harouna Sissoko. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward, Sissoko comes to Iowa from Georgia, and, and like Samake, is originally Mali-born. The two of them make up the most athletic combo in Iowa, and the fact that they’ll play a 1A schedule makes it even more likely that the Thunder will wreck more rims than any team in recent Iowa high school hoops history.
2. Oskaloosa
Last March at Wells Fargo Arena, the state got a glimpse into how electric the Indians were. Nationally-ranked 6-foot-10 forward Xavier Foster was canning 3s and throwing down jams routinely, while 6-foot-9 point-forward Cole Henry was dropping dimes and dunking on guys just as often. Both are back. Foster will head into his junior season beaming with confidence, a scary thought for Little Hawkeye Conference foes. Henry has committed to Northern Iowa, and will showcase his Magic Johnson-like playing style that he’s worked hard to develop. The fan-base oozes with enthusiasm and the home games in Oskaloosa will be super-charged.
1. Des Moines North
What happens when you mix Class 4A’s top scoring team with its most dynamic play-maker? You get the state’s most exciting team. The Polar Bears have been must-watch for three seasons now, that’s a direct reflection on senior point guard Tyreke Locure’s emergence as the team’s savvy floor general. Now a senior, Locure is bigger and better than ever. He’s got a legion of fans on Des Moines’ north side supporting him and his team. A team that includes perhaps the state’s most athletic wing, Lino Malual, a 6-foot-5 sharpshooter, Gatdoar Bijiek and one of Iowa’s most promising sophomores, Malik Allen. Des Moines North’s gym will be packed each and every home game, with fans looking to get some of their last glimpses of Locure in a Polar Bears jersey. The audience will get their money’s worth more often than not.