Top 250 Expo: Top Wings
Micah Johnson, 6’6, 2020 (Ankeny Centennial)
What a player Ankeny Centennial has with this rangy and versatile wing. The sophomore will be a match-up nightmare for CIML opponents the next three seasons. Johnson is the complete package; a tall, long, skilled wing, who scores both at the basket and from a jumper. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and could rack up a slew of blocks this season with the Jaguars.
Tyler Andrews, 6’5, 2020 (Linn-Mar)
Another one of the better surprises of the day, this Linn-Mar gem was unearthed relatively early in the Expo, and it didn’t take long to realize his great potential. Andrews was using a quick first step to blow by opponents in the skills segment, and used his great length to get to the basket in no time at all. He has a penchant for jacking up 3s, and the good news for the Lions is his shot looks good. Andrews will certainly be one to keep an eye on this season.
Alex McAleer, 6’6, 2020 (Central DeWitt)
This Iowa Barnstormer product had already been identified as one of the state’s best 2020s; we have him ranked 8th right now. He set out to prove that high ranking last weekend. McAleer showed some nice toughness while using his lengthy and lean frame to bang in the post. And though he was most effective on this day while flashing some big-man skills, he’s got the skill-set to play out one the perimeter, where D1 college coaches might want to start viewing him as a wing.
Preston Kelling, 6’3, 2020 (Ankeny Centennial)
Again this tall and well-developed shooting guard was able to impress us. We first saw him last spring during the FutureStars Camp in Dubuque, he was shooting lights out there. Last weekend, he was shooting well, and showing what else he can excel at while rebounding well from the guard spot and getting to the rim. The future is bright for Ankeny Centennial.
Romanique Hellems, 6’4, 2020 (Des Moines Roosevelt)
One of the most intriguing prospects of the day was this Des Moines Roosevelt slasher. Hellems is tall and very long, and he’ll be swooping in for tons of rebounds and swatting blocks galare the next three seasons for the Roughriders. As his skill level continues to rise, Hellems could develop into a high-level wing.
Michael Duax, 6’3, 2021 (Dubuque, Hempstead)
We’ve written a ton about the Duax family over the last couple of years, and we’re glad to say this will almost certainly be the first of many blurbs we piece together about this freshman Duax. Michael is already 6’3, and he was doing a little bit of everything well on both ends last weekend. He could be a special player for Hempstead in a couple years.
Jack Wetzel, 6’3, 2020 (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
We knew coming in that Wetzel was one of the top 2020s; he was very good last fall as a freshman at the Expo. And he was not only impressing us again last weekend, but the coach’s were commenting on him too. He’s big and puts the ball on the floor well. He could evolve into a point guard eventually, but for now will be effective as a versatile wing with a diverse offensive array for the Cougars this season.
Nick Hansel, 6’3, 2020 (Cedar Rapids Xavier)
We’ve had our eye on Hansel for a while, but have not written about him until now. He transferred into Cedar Rapids Xavier and may not get a ton of run this season as a sophomore, but with his combo pf nice size and a lethal mid-range jumper, we could see him developing into a Jackson Joens type over the next two years.