2023 Rankings Update: The Newcomer Bigs (Part I)
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Vance Peiffer Vance Peiffer 6'7" | C Waukee | 2023 State IA | C | Waukee | Kingdom Hoops (25) A 6-6 big man, Peiffer saw limited varsity action for the 4A state champs but looks like a real player…
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Continue ReadingVance Peiffer Vance Peiffer 6'7" | C Waukee | 2023 State IA | C | Waukee | Kingdom Hoops (25)
A 6-6 big man, Peiffer saw limited varsity action for the 4A state champs but looks like a real player to watch moving forward. He’s an agile big with good instincts on the defensive end, and he has shown the ability to stretch the floor out to the arc with a quick, smooth release off the catch.
Caden Kirkman Caden Kirkman 6'8" | PF Wilton | 2023 State IA | PF | Wilton | Iowa Barnstormers (26)
Kirkman was one of the most productive 2023s in the state this season, averaging 18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 4.3 blocks a game. He handles the ball well and can go coast-to-coast after pulling down defensive boards, and has showcased a nice face-up game with range out to about 15 feet. As he becomes a more consistent perimeter shooter, his offensive game will explode. He has good footwork and touch around the bucket.
Max Weaton Max Weaton 6'6" | PF Fairfield | 2023 State IA | PF | Fairfield | Iowa Barnstormers (28)
A 6-4 forward, Wheaton averaged 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds a game for the Trojans. He’s an efficient scorer around the block and is a good enough free-throw shooter that there could be some room to add range to his game.
Drew Chance Drew Chance 6'2" | PF Albia | 2023 State IA | PF | Albia (37)
Listed at just 6-2, Chance is a bit undersized as a big and will need to continue to iron out his perimeter skills to play at the next level. But there is no denying his production (15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds on 55.5% shooting), and he does play bigger in some ways than his listed size. He runs the floor well and does a good job using his body to shield the ball against bigger defenders around the rim. He has range out to about 15 feet and he also does a good job establishing early post position, burying his defender and getting a touch deep in the paint. If he keeps growing, he’ll be a really nice stretch-4 for a college program. If he doesn’t keep growing, he’ll need to continue to work on his ball-handling and extending his range.
George Williams George Williams 6'5" | C Roosevelt | 2023 State IA | C | Roosevelt | Pure Prep (40)
The 6-5 big man is a key piece of a very young Roughriders team, part of a very talented 2023 group at Roosevelt. He’s an agile big with good hands. He’s active on both ends of the floor, and is a very good passer, leading the team in assists at 3.6 a game. He has gotten off to an excellent start to the spring season with Pure Prep, putting up some huge games in the scoring and rebounding columns.
Duke Faley Duke Faley 6'5" | C Wahlert Catholic | 2023 State IA | C | Wahlert Catholic (43)
Faley is a 6-5 big man who was solid for the Golden Eagles this year, averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. He shot an impressive 79.5% from the free-throw line as well. He’s a bit robotic with his post moves right now and needs to become a more fluid athlete, but he has good hands and a solid frame to continue adding strength to. And, as his free-throw shooting indicates, he has good touch and could add some more range to his game.
Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA | PF | West Harrison (47)
Evans is smaller than twin brother Koleson, but he was remarkably productive for the Hawkeyes as a sophomore, averaging 16.7 points, 14.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals a game. He’s listed at just 6-1, which limits his long-term potential, but he’s relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor and finds ways to impact the game throughout.
Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA | PF | North Linn (48)
A long and lean 6-3 big, Haughenbury is extremely efficient, showing great touch and footwork around the bucket. He runs the floor well, rebounds on both ends of the floor, is a willing passer and a versatile defender.
JJ Kohl JJ Kohl 6'8" | PF Ankeny | 2023 IA | PF | Ankeny | Kingdom Hoops (53)
Kohl’s future is likely on the gridiron, as he’s one of the top quarterback prospects in the state, but many of the things that make him coveted in the football field are the reasons that he’s a solid basketball player as well. He’s a big, 6-8 athlete who runs the floor, has great hands, and is a willing passer from the post.
Zane Witt Zane Witt 6'6" | PF Camanche | 2023 State IA | PF | Camanche (59)
Witt may actually have as much potential as any other big on this list, and it’ll be interesting to watch his development over the next two years. An agile 6-7 big, he runs the floor and is a switchable defender with great length. He’s limited offensively right now, with most of his buckets coming off of offensive boards or in transition, but he’s a rim protector (2.0 blocks a game) and a rim-runner who has the athletic profile to be an interesting player to monitor.