Iowa 2020 Prospects: 1-10
1 | Xavier Foster Xavier Foster 7'0" | C Oskaloosa | 2020 State #71 Nation IA | C | Oskaloosa The prototypical modern day big man, Foster is a 7-footer who runs the floor, can shoot the 3 with beautiful…
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Continue Reading1 | Xavier Foster Xavier Foster 7'0" | C Oskaloosa | 2020 State #71 Nation IA | C | Oskaloosa
The prototypical modern day big man, Foster is a 7-footer who runs the floor, can shoot the 3 with beautiful touch and form, and protect the rim at an extremely high level. With his unique blend of size, athleticism and skill, he’s been one of the hottest commodities around the country since before his freshman year started, and he finally decided on playing his college ball at Iowa State.
2 | Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA | PG | Norwalk
A shifty 5-11 lead guard, Born just finished up one of the most productive high school careers in state history. His 983 points this year ranked third in single season scoring, and his 2,494 career points rank sixth all-time. A remarkably efficient scorer, Born averaged 36.4 points a game with 55-41-87 shooting splits. He has a high basketball IQ, growing up around the game (his dad was the director of NBA scouting for the Trail Blazers for a decade). The son of former Cyclone Michael Born will play his college ball at Northern Iowa, where he’ll pair with former Cedar Falls’ standout AJ Green to give the Panthers the best backcourt in the MVC.
3 | Even Brauns Even Brauns 6'9" | PF Iowa City West | 2020 State #253 Nation IA | PF | Iowa City West
The best low-post player in the class, Brauns has an array of post moves and great touch around the rim with his left hand. He’ll need to continue working on his right hand for the next level, but he has a lot of skill, is a good athlete with a great frame, and he’s got great feet. He has a feathery touch from the free throw line and is a strong rebounder, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. He’ll play his college ball at Belmont.
4 | Ty Anderson Ty Anderson 6'7" | PF North Scott | 2020 State #457 Nation IA | PF | North Scott
An athletic combo forward with great length, Anderson impacts the game on both ends of the floor with his ability to fly around the court, protect the game and switch on defense. He has worked to improve his offensive game, and has turned himself into a really strong perimeter shooter, and he has the ability to create his own looks off the dribble. He’ll likely be asked to move out to the perimeter a bit more at Northern Iowa, and the improvement that he has made with his shot and handles will help him out in a major way there.
5 | Braxton Bayless Braxton Bayless 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA | PG | Ankeny
Few players in the state had a better year than Bayless, who led Ankeny to the 4A state title, putting together a sensational week of basketball to cap off his year. A dynamic, playmaking guard who thrives on getting downhill and finishing at the rim, he averaged 23 points a game while shooting over 54% from the floor. He has great quickness and body control, which he uses to finish at the bucket, and he’s really improved his jumper throughout his high school career. He’s weighing JuCo and prep school options currently, and then should become a coveted point guard prospect after a year or two.
6 | Cody McCullough Cody McCullough 6'7" | PF Ankeny Centennial | 2020 State IA | PF | Centennial
A skilled 6-8 power forward with great footwork and superb touch around the rim, McCullough was a walking double-double for the Jaguars, averaging 14.3 points and 11.7 rebounds on 72% shooting. He runs the floor really well, has great hands and does a good job establishing early post position for easy scores. He’s headed to play Division II ball at Wayne State.
7 | Will Berg Will Berg 6'8" | PF Valley | 2020 State #480 Nation IA | PF | Valley
A talented 6-8 combo forward, Berg missed his senior season following a torn ACL, but had picked up a slew of low-to-mid-major offers before the injury. An athletic forward with good size, he has the ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and he can create his own shot. He rebounds at a high level and does a great job keeping the ball high on rebounds and post touches. He has great touch around the rim.
8 | Nick Reid Nick Reid 6'6" | SF Central City | 2020 State IA | SF | Central City
One of the most productive players in state history, Reid became just the eighth player to record 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds, doing so in his final high school game. He finished his career with 2,016 points and 1,001 rebounds, despite getting all sorts of different junk defenses thrown at him routinely. A long, 6-7 wing who can score at all three levels, he will welcome the lack of attention he’ll receive at the college level. He’s headed to play Division II ball at Emporia State.
9 | Easton Darling Easton Darling 6'0" | CG Winterset | 2020 State IA | CG | Winterset
A quick twitch athlete with good speed and a great first step, Darling is a talented combo guard who can fill it up or get his teammates involved. A lefty who has steadily improved his efficiency and perimeter shooting, he can also make a difference on the defensive end of the floor with his quickness and great hands. He’s headed to play his college ball at Central Missouri.
Photo credit: Sioux City Journal
10 | Jaleque Dunson Jaleque Dunson 6'3" | SF Sioux City East | 2020 State IA | SF | Sioux City East
A long, athletic scoring wing, Dunson can fill it up from all three levels and has the length and athleticism to be a switchable defender at the next level. He recently committed to start his college career at Kirkwood, which has had good success turning out Division I and Division II players after a year or two.