Class 1A Leading Returning Assists
1.) 2023 Casey Gardner Casey Gardner 5'8" | PG Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (Dunkerton) – 8.9 assists per game Gardner’s 232 assists last season were best in the state by 22 and are 52 more than any other returnee.…
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Continue Reading1.) 2023 Casey Gardner Casey Gardner 5'8" | PG Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (Dunkerton) – 8.9 assists per game
Gardner’s 232 assists last season were best in the state by 22 and are 52 more than any other returnee. He’s a true pass-first point guard who is the ideal fit for the Raiders’ up-tempo attack. He loves to push the pace, looking ahead to find teammates for easy layups, and he’s a really good pick-and-roll guard who can get to the rim for finishes, kick it out, or find the roll man with a nice pocket pass. He also protects the rock, committing only 80 turnovers against his 232 assists.
2.) 2023 Max Burt Max Burt 6'0" | PG Newman Catholic | 2023 State IA (Newman Catholic) – 7.3
The Iowa baseball commit has been incredibly steady for the Knights as their primary ball-handler since he was a freshman. He looks to get others involved and sees the floor extremely well.
3.) 2023 William Kiburis William Kiburis 6'4" | PG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (Gladbrook-Reinbeck) – 7.2
One of the most dominant small-school players in the state, Kiburis is a nightly triple-double threat who averaged 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists a game last season in addition to 4.6 “stocks” a game defensively. He plays with great pace and has excellent vision. He doesn’t get sped up and is a gifted passer who can get creative.
4.) 2023 Max Hough Max Hough 5'11" | PG GTRA | 2023 State IA (GTRA) – 6.8
Hough had a rough year as a shooter last season, but he was excellent as a facilitator, posting a 2.6-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s also a real pest on the defensive end, averaging nearly 4 steals a game last as a junior. The Titans should be among the most improved teams in 1A, and Hough is a big reason why.
5.) 2023 Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA (West Harrison) – 6.3
Probably the most unique player on this top 10, Evans is a 6-2 point-forward who does a majority of his scoring damage around the rim and is among the most dominant rebounders in the state. But he’s also a really talented passer who sees the floor well and has deft touch and awareness.
6.) 2023 Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA (New London) – 5.8
A dominant two-way player who can do everything on the floor, Porter does an excellent job using his speed and first step to get by defenders and into the paint, where he can either score or find a teammate on a cut for an easy layup. He has an outstanding feel for the game and an innate awareness of where his teammates will be at all times.
7.) 2023 Carson Fuegen Carson Fuegen 5'9" | PG Easton Valley | 2023 State IA (Easton Valley) – 5.7
Fuegen is diminutive, listed at 5-10 but probably an inch or two under that height, but he makes a major impact on both ends of the floor with his quickness and IQ. He’s a true pass-first guard who dished out 120 assists and scored 150 points, showing that he looks to get others involved first, second, and third.
8.) 2024 Corder Noun Harder Corder Noun Harder 5'9" | PG Lynnville-Sully | 2024 State IA (Lynnville-Sully) – 5.6
Another small (5-9) lead guard, Noun Harder led the Hawks in assists last season and also averaged over 10 points a game. Lynnville-Sully could be among the best teams in 1A this year, bringing back a quartet of double-figure scorers, and Noun Harder is the maestro of the attack.
9.) 2023 Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (Grand View Christian) – 5.6
Sanderson burst onto the scene last year for the Thunder, dishing out eight assists in his first career start, and he didn’t slow down for the rest of the season. He’s shifty and quick, and is a creative passer who isn’t afraid to take some risks.
10.) 2023 Michael Turner (Tri-Center) – 5.5
Turner enjoyed an excellent junior year for the Trojans, leading the team in scoring at 14.1 points a game and posting a nearly 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.