Summer Watchlist
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As the grassroots season approaches its halfway mark, PHW looks towards June and July for its busiest scouting period. Which players will excite scouts and demand recruitment? Carlos Harris – Beloit – 2022 I trust college coaches will experience the…
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Continue ReadingAs the grassroots season approaches its halfway mark, PHW looks towards June and July for its busiest scouting period. Which players will excite scouts and demand recruitment?
Carlos Harris – Beloit – 2022
I trust college coaches will experience the same euphoria I did when watching Harris for the first time. The 6’7’’ wing strutted into the gym at the Midwest Showdown and flexed his burliest muscles. He’s got unlearned ball-skills, daunting height, and a smooth playstyle that headlines a mostly spotless offensive game. Admittedly I had a brief scouting sample, but I find consolation knowing he’s spent a portion of his high school career at Hillcrest Prep in Arizona, a touted basketball breeding ground that was home to Michael Foster last season. Harris is a scholarship player, and he’s entering a crucial stretch of recruitment and exposure.
Andrew Rohde
Andrew
Rohde
6'6" | SG
Brookfield Central | 2022
State
WI
– Brookfield Central – 2022
Rohde’s changing labels this summer. Still an EYBL-caliber lights out shooter, but evolving offensively across the board. At 6’5” with ample length and speed, he offers recruiters an exciting development track into a potential pure scorer. Right now, I like his fundamentals — especially his ability to produce solely off his IQ.
Max Nelson – Appleton North – 2022
Nelson’s scoring jump this spring should really please college scouts. Watching him throughout his high school career, Nelson’s potential at 6’8” with his shooting made him a mainstay in our top-ten rankings. Production follows age for Nelson, as he’s becoming a big-time scorer as a senior. His power-forward roots mesh with a pretty outside stroke. He operates mostly off the catch, but it works for him, as he’s been efficient and highly effective even if he isn’t controlling the ball at all times.
Levi Birkholz
Levi
Birkholz
5'2" | SG
Lakeside Luthersn | 2023
State
#290
Nation
WI
– Lakeside Lutheran – 2023
A guy that’s shown the capacity to improve. Started last season on the outskirts of the top-20, but shot up to ninth after leading Crusaders 16U to a winning rampage this spring. Not many guards are on poster-watch, but Birkholz has been since his freshman summer. That unique athletic ability opens doors for further improvement, especially on the defensive end, where he’s already a stout on-ball defender. Maybe most important is his jump shot, which is a dangerous weapon with deep range.
Isaac Skemp
Isaac
Skemp
6'4" | SF
Onalaska | 2024
State
WI
– Onalaska – 2024
A sneaky good prospect with varsity experience as a freshman. Has been tailored to high-level play at Onalaska last year, so when he plays with his age group, he’s seeing a few frames ahead. An x-factor on offense that can fit anywhere from the 1-3. Furnishes his teammates’ stat lines with his playmaking skills, turning glue guys into double-digit scorers.
Alex Sherwood
Alex
Sherwood
6'4" | SF
Xavier | 2023
State
WI
– Xavier – 2023
Intrigues beyond his 6’6” frame. Leading the frontcourt of Crusaders 16U, Sherwood offers a winning skillset. Can score at all three levels, but earned his top-30 ranking with dominant paint scoring. A guy that’s going to be atop stat sheets all summer as the Crusaders continue to knock off big-name programs.
Jaquan Johnson
Jaquan
Johnson
5'10" | PG
Pius XI | 2024
State
WI
– Pius XI – 2023
A thrilling point guard that captivates high school crowds. Not outside of his means to score 50 points in a 40-minute game. Elite driving the ball, he makes advanced plays as a scorer and passer. His acceleration and quickness come in handy on both ends, and he loses no speed when weaving through defenders in the open court. It’s early, but his skills warrant division one involvement.