2019 Rankings Update: Biggest Risers
Prep Hoops Wisconsin recently released our updated class of 2019 rankings. Here are 12 prospects who made the biggest move. No. 18 Rich Byhre – Catholic Memorial Previously: 35 He’s been out with a season-ending injury, but in fall…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Wisconsin recently released our updated class of 2019 rankings. Here are 12 prospects who made the biggest move.
No. 18 Rich Byhre – Catholic Memorial
Previously: 35
He’s been out with a season-ending injury, but in fall league play, we saw more than enough. The Catholic Memorial standout had greatly improved his game and developed into an intriguing offensive weapon. The 6-foot-7 senior was a serious mismatch problem with his ability to play some point forward, shoot and attack off the dribble, and even come off screens and hunt 3-pointers. We’ll see what the injury does to his recruitment, but Byhre looked like a solid Division 2 prospect this fall.
No. 19 Chris Bready – Waukesha West
Previously: 38
We saw in July that Bready was going to rise quickly. After watching him in a handful of high caliber matchups, it’s clear that he’s a top 20 prospect in the state. Part of a loaded starting lineup for Waukesha West, Bready is averaging 16.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. An intriguing, athletic combo guard, the 6-foot-4 senior is attracting Division 1 interest with his ability to be a reliable 3-point shooter, defend multiple positions, and play above the rim.
No. 29 Kyran Gaines – Milwaukee Madison
Previously: No. 57
Gaines is very unique as a versatile forward who can score in transition, pull bigs away from the rim, create in isolation settings, and hit the offensive glass. He’s so smooth and makes things look so effortless that Gaines doesn’t look he has a great motor, but the stats tell you otherwise. Gaines has been a walking double-double in the Milwaukee City Conference, posting nearly 26 points per game and on track to get Madison a high seed in the Division 2 state playoffs.
No. 44 Tyler Gouin – Arrowhead
Previously: Unranked
The biggest riser of all, Gouin is having a tremendous season for Arrowhead and looking good in the process. A senior guard that almost came out of nowhere, Gouin is averaging a team-best 19.3 points per game next to Carter Gilmore, a Division 1 prospect. A very skilled and deceptively athletic floor general, Gouin has torched some good guards in the state this season. Playing with excellent change of pace, Gouin is very difficult to contain as a scorer and a facilitator.
No. 46 Rocky Martinez – Waukesha West
Previously: 70
He’s kind of the forgotten man on this Waukesha West squad, but Martinez is maybe the biggest key for the Wolverines to reach the state tournament. A poised senior guard that has a knack for delivering in the big moments, Martinez just never gets rattled and plays a lot of mistake-free basketball. One of those prospects that stands out in any specific way, but he’s solid across the board and doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.
No. 58 Kade King – Monroe
Previously: No. 82
Every time I’ve watched King, I wonder why more people aren’t higher on him. A physical, athletic post with a football player’s frame and the
ability to dominate the paint, King is a very good Division 3 prospect. Not only can King control the glass on both ends and protect the paint at a high level, but he’s got an intriguing blend of strength and skill down on the block, able to set up shop down low and generate quality looks around the rim. Playing alongside some really good young talent, King leads the Cheesemakers at 14.4 ppg.
No. 66 Marcus Kartes – Milwaukee King
Previously: No. 106
Kartes made us open our eyes at the Fresh Coast Classic. A kid that gets the most out of his talent, Kartes won’t blow you away physically or athletically, but finds different ways to put the ball in the basket. A solid shooter from all areas of the floor, the Milwaukee King standout works hard on and off the ball and can get hot in stretches.
No. 68 Brooklyn Jagers – Brown Deer
Previously: No. 87
A smooth, plus-length wing, Jagers has had a breakout season, averaging 21.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to lead Brown Deer. Jagers just has a knack for getting to the rim and thrives in the Falcons’ uptempo style. More of a slasher, Jagers can still spot up from 3-point range and make defenders pay for sagging off him as well.
No. 77 Montae Thompson – Madison East
Previously: No. 95
Putting together a breakout senior season, Thompson is a big reason why Madison East will grab a No. 1 seed in March and potentially win the Big Eight Conference. A squad that was supposed to take a step back this season, the Purgolders have thrived behind Thompson’s leadership. Averaging nearly 15 points per game in 2018-19, Thompson has given East quite the lift and has a knack to make others around him better.
No. 82 Riley LeTourneau – Brookfield East
Previously: Unranked
If we were ranking overall talent or starting a high school team from scratch, LeTourneau would be significantly higher on this list. The senior forward has come out of nowhere this season to average just shy of 23 points per game as the Spartans are sitting at 14-4 overall and poised to do some damage in March. Despite being an undersized forward (6-4), LeTourneau gets it done by playing harder than anyone on the floor and breaking the will of his opponent. Opponents know LeTourneau is going to do his damage a few feet from the rim and still can’t stop it.
No. 83 Jason Larson – Mount Horeb
Previously: Unranked
Mount Horeb finds themselves in the top 10 rankings in the loaded Division 2. The senior wing does a little bit of everything for the Vikings, including averaging 15.2 points per game this season. Larson has a well-rounded game, able to slash, shoot the basketball, defend, and rebound.
No. 102 Kevin Cook – Milwaukee Bay View
Previously: Unranked
Not on our radar to start the season, Cook has helped Bay View reach a 16-1 record this season. A double-double machine in the Milwaukee City Conference, Cook is posting 18 points and 11 rebounds and has his team currently sitting atop the league standings. Developing into a go-to post prospect, Cook has been one of the state’s biggest surprises in 2018-19.