Week 8 Scouting Notebook: Tony’s Top Bigs
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Joe Knutson Joe Knutson 6'8" | PF Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA (Cedar Falls, 2021) Knutson is a big, physical interior presence who isn’t asked to do much scoring for the Tigers with all of the other firepower they…
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Continue ReadingJoe Knutson Joe Knutson 6'8" | PF Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA (Cedar Falls, 2021)
Knutson is a big, physical interior presence who isn’t asked to do much scoring for the Tigers with all of the other firepower they have. But he does what he’s asked to do – rebound, play good defense, protect the rim and be a major presence in the paint on both ends of the floor. The Truman State signee has good hands and is a capable finisher with either hand around the rim, and he’s mobile enough to be a switchable defender. He finished with 7 points on 3-4 shooting, 7 rebounds (5 offensive), 2 assists and a block.
Chase Courbat Chase Courbat 6'9" | C Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA (Cedar Falls, 2021)
Courbat has been ranked among the top players in Iowa’s 2021 class since his freshman year, in large part because of the defensive presence he provides in the paint. He’s a mobile big who is a switchable defender, and he can protect the rim. He’s developed his offensive game, and while a large majority of his 16 points on 8-10 shooting came on dunks, he showed improved footwork and touch around the bucket. He does a great job keeping the ball high when he pulls down rebounds, and he showed the ability to facilitate as well, another added element to his game. He got early position, made himself big and visible, and he’s got great hands. The future UNI Panther finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.
Cael Van Beek (Sioux Center, 2024)
The 6-4 freshman forward was excellent in the Warriors loss to top-ranked Boyden-Hull, finishing with 20 points (7-10 FG, 5-5 3P), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. He stood out early on with the fight that he was putting up to establish solid post position and then was excellent as the game progressed showing his ability to move off the ball and shoot the 3 with a smooth, repeatable release on his jumper. He’s the type of big man that an offense can flow through because he sees the floor well and has a good feel for the game, and he has the ability to score inside and out. He’ll certainly be a name to keep monitoring moving forward, especially if he can grow more.