Potential Stock Risers: 2019-20 Season
I often group prospects under the “stock riser” label because of recent successes. This time around, I took the proverbial topic with a different slant, and as you may expect, it’s not the most traditional list. Below are the prospects…
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Continue ReadingI often group prospects under the “stock riser” label because of recent successes. This time around, I took the proverbial topic with a different slant, and as you may expect, it’s not the most traditional list.
Below are the prospects that have established themselves, but not yet to their fullest potential. These players will get over the hump this season, emerging from the middle pack and becoming prominent names. Each of them is liable to a breakout season of strung-out individual bursts and general success with their school teams, even if their current rankings suggest something different.
Grant Flory, F – Wisconsin Rapids: Flory’s ACL has failed twice now. After his second career ACL tear, this one coming before his sophomore season, Flory transferred from Neenah to Rapids. His ranking has slipped in each realignment since then, largely from him being inactive. I’d hate to be quick to forget, though. There was a reason he stood inside the top-ten in the 2021 class, primarily because of his elite size, interior skill set, and improving perimeter game. In a system that will favor a high-volume, high-production player, Flory will undergo a rejuvenation in his status this season.
Karter Thomas, G – Oshkosh West: For now, just understand this: Thomas, when healthy, has a sky-scraping ceiling. But, after tearing his ACL just 7 months ago, doubt and risk will linger like a bad aftertaste.
Offensively, Thomas has a Rolodex of skills, all honed and utilized during his junior season. He averaged 24.2 points per game, breaking the 30-point threshold seven times (!) last season (45-points was his high on the year). The stocky, physical guard scored mostly with a feather touch from outside but was strong enough to bulldoze the defense for easy scores inside. If Thomas is healthy, which he told Prep Hoops Wisconsin he was, then he’s poised for more collegiate interest this season.
Jackson Paveletzke, G – Kimberly: As the protege to Jake Buchanan, Paveletzke is the torchbearer of a long line of elite Kimberly guards. He has the scoring instinct to shoulder the team in that respect and has room to grow physically and in other aspects of the game. This next season will be crucial in his development, and likely a breakout year.
Parker Nielson, G – Prescott: Nielson has already taken massive steps this summer, but these past months were the first of many.
As a guy in the 60’s for our previous 2020 ranking (he moved into the 20s just a few days ago), his nabbing multiple offers this summer came as a shock. But, in all honesty, it shouldn’t have. The guard averaged 25.6 points per game as a junior last season. While it was impressive, it was also tamped down tremendously when taking into account his opponents in the division five field. This summer, his play with Minnesota Select and emergence on the recruiting scene cleared foggy air and staked down his legitimacy as a player. Anticipate more coverage and a higher ranking for Nielson this upcoming season.
Kobe Johnson, G – Nicolet: There are two tremendous voids on Nicolet’s roster this season. Kobe Johnson has the poise and skill to assume a bigger role and, in turn, mount what has been an unmoving 2021 top-ten. Let’s just take a look at the vacant boxes Johnson immediately checks off after his brother and Jamari Sibley transferred.
Primary ball handler: This is something he looked quite comfortable doing at State last season, and as he gets bigger and stronger I think he will assume that task in full.
First scoring option: It’s him or forward James Graham here, but Johnson’s shooting touch and constant development beckon to him.
Facilitator: However good Jalen was at point guard, Kobe always had a knack for working the offense as well.
With a bigger role next season for Kobe, additional offers and a jump in the rankings are sure to follow.