Prospect Spotlight: Austin Hilmer (2022)

Austin Hilmer is well on his way to becoming one of the state’s most prolific point guards.

The North Linn point guard was a key player with the 2A state champs last winter, and now is well into a 15u season with Iowa Barnstormers Black.

Like his older brother, Iowa’s co-Mr. Basketball last season Jake Hilmer, Austin is a 5-foot-10 point guard with a lot of ability.

Whereas Austin was a facilitator and defensively focused player during the regular season at North Linn, he’s been spending his spring working to become a primary scorer.

“The way I try to make an impact, especially with my Barnstormers team, is by scoring the ball. There’s a lot of guys on that team who are more pass-first guys, so I’ve got to get my shots up and score as often as I can,” said Hilmer.

“With North Linn this year, I was more of a facilitator, so it’s good for me to be able to get some shots up and score the ball more this summer with Barnstormers.”

Hilmer was primarily the sixth-man as a freshman with Lynx last season. He helped them to a 26-0 record while averaging 10.4 points and 2.7 assists per game.

“It took me some time to really settle in, but I thought midway through the season I really got comfortable out there and played how I thought I could. It was really fun playing with my brother and having my dad and grandpa as a coach, and I’m really looking forward to next season,” said Hilmer, who addressed what it was like playing a season with his now-legendary older brother.

“I’ve watched (Jake) since he was little , and I’ve always tried to model my game after his, and this season he really helped me a lot and taught me a lot. So, I’m just trying to be like him as much as I can.”

Hilmer will surely take on a much larger role next season with the Lynx, which graduate their three best scorers from the 26-0 squad. First, though, he’s got a big spring and summer ahead with Iowa Barnstormers Black 15u.

It’s been an up and down spring so far for the ‘Stormers, Hilmer, though, has been a steady force with the unit.

“The guys who are staying with us are playing well, and we’re capable of winning tournaments, we got second place in the last one,” said Hilmer. “I’m just looking to having a big summer, for some guys to get noticed and to win some games.”