Iowa’s All-Class Top 50 (40-36)
As the season draws near, we’re going to roll out a ten part series counting down the 50 best players in Iowa, regardless of class. There are no frosh on the list, and some sophomores are sprinkled in. Look for Iowa’s 2019 class to make a very strong showing in the rankings; man is that the junior class stacked. And, of course, there will be plenty of seniors to highlight. We might be biased, but we feel like the state of Iowa is egregiously underrated, and as a result, under-recruited year-in and year-out; this top 50 list is a strong group of players, and plainly showcases just how much talent we have here in the Hawkeye State.
Will Berg (2020)
6’8 F, Valley
40
Though he may not be featured in the ultra-talented Valley Tigers offense this season as a sophomore, make no mistake, this rangy and versatile stretch-four is another in a lineage of very talented VHS big-men. Two years from now, we could be talking about the slew of offers Berg has in tow. For now, he’s waiting in the wings.
Zack Lasek (2020)
6’7 PF, Highland, Riverside
39
Guys as big as Lasek typically aren’t able to erupt off the floor like he does. But that’s just what this big-bodied power forward can do; he’s a rim-wrecker. After earning our Freshman of the Year honors last season, he’s poised to be one of the more dominant posts this state has ever seen at 1A Highland, Riverside over the next three seasons.
Seybian Sims (2018)
6’6 SF, Iowa City West
38
In what’s been one of the greatest dynasty’s in Iowa high school hoops history, Sims waited his turn to be a focal point of the Trojans’ offense, and during last season’s state title run, he was just that. The athletic stretch-four averaged 6.2 points on 69 percent shooting as a junior, and should see those numbers spike this season as he tries to lead West to a fifth state title in seven years.
Cole Henry (2019)
6’9 F, Oskaloosa
37
At 6’9 and with an ability to step out and can the 3-ball, it’s no winder why this versatile forward has a D1 offer from North Dakota and several other high-level programs very interested in him. Big things could be coming the next two seasons for Oskaloosa, and Henry will be right at the center of it all.
Bowen Born (2020)
5’9 PG, Norwalk
36
The son of former Iowa State guard Michael Born, Bowen definitely got the basketball gene. He’s as smooth as anyone in Iowa with the ball in his hands, and as crafty a player as there is in the state. We call him ‘Lil Steph,’ because his ability to handle the ball and shoot it with precision and range is reminiscent of the Warriors superstar’s game.