Ranking the Top Returning Shooting Guards Regardless of Class
Ranking the top returning shooting guards for the 2020-21 season regardless of class… 1. Jack Rose Jack Rose 6'5" | SG Westosha Central | 2022 State #213 Nation WI – Westosha Central Certainly debatable as who the top prospect is,…
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Continue ReadingRanking the top returning shooting guards for the 2020-21 season regardless of class…
1. Jack Rose Jack Rose 6'5" | SG Westosha Central | 2022 State #213 Nation WI – Westosha Central
Certainly debatable as who the top prospect is, but all things considered, I think you go with Rose here. The Westosha Central has the prototypical size and skill set and is one of the more well-rounded players in the state when you consider his blue collar mentality and willingness to do the little things.
As a sophomore, Rose averaged 17.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Falcons, who surprised by winning a share of the Southern Lakes Conference title and posted a 15-9 record. Rose is getting early interest from Wisconsin, Marquette, and others at this time.
2. Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI – SJNMA
Definitely worthy of the top spot as well, Podziemski could see a run of offers come his way if AAU ever resumes this summer. The junior guard had a breakout 2019-20 season, averaging 27.6 points and an eye-opening 9.2 rebounds per game for SJNMA, who went 19-6 and won the Midwest Classic Conference.
A sharpshooting lefty with above the rim athleticism, Podziemski has worked hard to round out his game. He’s got a terrific touch on his floater, can score from the block, and has a knack for knocking down difficult, contested shots from the perimeter. DePaul was the first to offer Podziemski while schools such as Stanford, California, TCU, Butler, and a host of mid-majors are showing interest.
3. Jackson Paveletzke Jackson Paveletzke 6'1" | CG Kimberly | 2022 State WI – Kimberly
[player_tooltip player_id="801149" first="Jackson" last="Paveletzke"]Speaking of breaking out, nobody in the 2022 class made a bigger jump in the rankings last season than Paveletzke. Helping the Papermakers win the Fox Valley Association, Paveletzke 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game as a sophomore while playing alongside a handful of college prospects.
He’s a little undersized and needs to put on some weight, but Paveletzke is a smooth, skilled, and gifted scorer with many of the tools you want in a shot creator. It’s only the beginning stages of Paveletzke’s recruitment, but he’s a prospect that should draw Division 1 interest.
4. Zac Johnson Zac Johnson 6'3" | SG River Falls | 2021 State WI – River Falls
Johnson will be arguably the best shooter in the state next season. As a junior he knocked down 76 3-pointers while averaging 20.8 points per game for River Falls. His niche at the next level will probably be running off screens and hunting triples off the ball, but the 6-foot-3 sniper has drastically improved his footwork and ability to create space off the dribble as well.
Johnson should end up being an easy offer from Division 2 programs. Winona State has already pulled the trigger. Right now, he’s probably a borderline D1 prospect given his shooting ability. Schools such as Southern Illinois, Valparaiso, Lehigh, UW-Milwaukee, VMI, North Dakota, UW-Green Bay, and North Dakota State are currently evaluating him.
5. John Kinziger John Kinziger 6'0" | CG De Pere | 2023 State #257 Nation WI – De Pere
Have to see him live still, but if his freshman film and stats are any indication, Kinziger has a bright future ahead of him. Kinziger led a 16-8 De Pere squad at 15.8 points per game. A dangerous shooter with in-the-gym range, Kinziger also has a quick first step off the bounce and forces defenders to pick their poison. Also a catch-and-shoot artist, Kinziger hit at a 42 percent clip from beyond the arc in 2019-20.
6. Andrew Alia Andrew Alia 6'2" | SG Kenosha St. Joseph | 2022 State WI – Kenosha St. Joseph
A prospect that’s fielding plenty of early mid-major interest, Alia averaged 19.8 points per game as a sophomore while playing in a very strong Metro Classic Conference. A guard with a terrific mid-range game and pull-up jumper, Alia has a terrific feel and natural scoring ability. Alia caught fire at the end of the season, averaging nearly 25 ppg over the final five outings, including a 36-point effort against Milwaukee Academy of Science.
7. Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson 6'2" | SG Whitefish Bay | 2021 State WI – Whitefish Bay
Jackson may end up playing football in college, but he’s also a D1/D2 basketball recruit as well. South Alabama extended an offer to Jackson last
[player_tooltip player_id="804902" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"]fall. The Whitefish Bay standout proceeded to average 19.7 points per game as a junior and turn the Blue Dukes into one of the state’s most improved squads. A two-way player who can score and defend at a high level, Jackson has an excellent blend of shot-making ability, length, athleticism, and motor.
8. Quinton Murrell Quinton Murrell 6'5" | SG Milwaukee King | 2021 State WI – Milwaukee King
Murrell was one of the best guards that no one was talking about. Leading the Generals to a 22-1 record and a Milwaukee City Conference title, Murrell averaged 18.0 points per game as a junior. An intriguing guard with length, athleticism, and a scorer’s mentality, Murrell has a chance to blow up over the next year.
9. Andrew Rohde – Brookfield Central
Rohde is a deadly 3-point shooter, but this kid doesn’t get enough credit for the things he does defensively for the Lancers. When you’re playing with so much Division 1 and Division 2 talent, as an underclassman, you generally have to take a back seat. However, Rohde showcased his value as an on and off-ball defender all season and made some big plays on that end of the floor.
As the roster clears out for him, Rohde is only going to showcase more of his scoring ability. As a sophomore, Rohde chipped in with 8.5 points per game and knocked down 42 triples. The 6-foot-2 guard has three-level scoring upside and should blossom into one of the state’s best scorers over the next two seasons.
10. Jordan Johnson Jordan Johnson 6'2" | CG Elkhorn | 2021 State WI – Elkhorn
Could be labeled more as a combo guard and would be top five on that list. All I know is that when Johnson has the ball in his hands, good and exciting things usually happen. As a junior, Johnson averaged 24.0 points per game for the Southern Lakes co-champions, who went 21-4 overall.
An electrifying guard who can explode off the dribble and attack the rim with ferocity, Johnson is a high-level Division 2 prospect. The 6-foot-1 guard has deadly handles and loves to deliver contact around the basket. When his jumper is falling, Johnson is next to impossible to stop or take out of his game.