10 Live Period Stock Boosters
10 players who will rise in the next rankings update after strong performances during the spring evaluation period…
Malachi Athnos – 2019 – PG – Wisconsin Playmakers
Way off the radar and not even ranked going into the spring, Athnos is turning heads in the NY2LA Association. A fast, athletic guard, Athnos averaged just under 11 points per game through two sessions, while shooting 47 percent from the floor. Look for Athnos to hover around the top 50 in the next rankings update.
Reece Beekman – 2020 – PG – Phenom University
Because he plays his high school ball in Louisiana, he won’t be ranked in Wisconsin, but the Milwaukee native had a huge live period. Reeling in offers from Minnesota, USC, Arizona State, and DePaul, which joined Georgia Tech and Kansas State, Beekman has turned into one of the top playmakers in the country. Not only does Beekman create a ton of offense and get everyone involved, he balances the role of scorer and facilitator like a pro. When his team needs a bucket or a big play defensively, Beekman always seems to rise to the occasion. A player that won a state championship as a sophomore, Beekman will probably end up being a high three-star, low four-star recruit, but he’s got five-star value on the floor.
Jake Buchanan – 2020 – PG – Wisconsin Blizzard
Buchanan showed some terrific promise in Dallas. A skilled, speedy guard with play making ability, the Kimberly standout looks primed to breakout. He played on a senior laden high school team, but still showed some flashes last season. Now getting a chance to be the straw that stirs the drink, Buchanan is thriving in spurts in a primary role. Expect Buchanan to get some Division 2 looks over the next year-plus, but if he falls to the Division 3 level, that would be a heck of a pickup.
Johnny Davis – 2020 – SG – Playground Warriors
Davis is going to move from No. 4 to No. 2 in our class of 2020 rankings. He may not have the offer list (Wisconsin, UNLV, UW-Green Bay) or the upside of some of the other members in the top five, but nobody plays harder than this kid. A blue collar guard that’s as tenacious as it gets, Davis is one of the best two-way players in the Midwest. He’s always been a standout defender, but now his offense is catching up. Davis averaged 17.1 points per game in Under Armour Association play on 55.0 percent shooting. A slasher that gets high quality looks, Davis is also starting to shoot the ball very well from mid-range. His unorthodox style may scare some schools off, but there’s no denying his production.
Marcus Domask – 2019 – SF – Ray Allen Select
Domask led RAS with 12.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game on 50.0 percent shooting during the live period. An efficient, skilled wing, Domask now holds offers from American, Bucknell, UW-Green Bay, and UW-Milwaukee. A do-it-all type prospect, Domask also dished out nearly three assists per game in the NY2LA Association.
Ace Evans – 2019 – G – Wisconsin Shooters
One of the leading scorers in the NY2LA Association, Evans is breaking out this spring. On a high school team that features two highly ranked players in 2019, Evans is now standing on his own, if not above his Martin Luther teammates. Putting up 16.7 points on 56.3 percent shooting in NY2LA Association play, Evans’ relentless scoring ability is attracting Division 1 and Division 2 suitors.
James Graham – 2021 – SF – Phenom University
The top three in the class of 2021 are pretty much set and it’s hard to see anyone knocking Michael Foster (Milwaukee Washington), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sussex Hamilton), or David Joplin (Brookfield Central) out of their spots, but if anyone can do it, it might be graham. A 6-foot-6 small forward, there’s a lot to like about this young man’s upside. He’s got a smooth shooting stroke and a budding offensive skill set with much more room for growth than the other top three prospects. Look for Graham to rise into the top 10 of the next rankings and continue to trend upwards.
Kobe Johnson – 2021 – G – Phenom University
Going into the spring, we had Johnson ranked higher than maybe he had earned to this point, but knowing his bloodlines we tried to get ahead of the curve. That worked out well as the light came on for this high upside guard during the spring. Coming off the bench for Phenom University, Johnson took on the role of the primary play maker. His defensive ability, facilitating, and shooting often sparked runs. Both Johnson’s older brothers are at least 6-foot-6 and Johnson’s long arms suggest he’s in store for a major growth spurt in the coming years.
David Skogman – 2019 – PF – Ray Allen Select
This time last year, Skogman was just a blip on the radar. After a breakout spring, he’s fighting his way towards the top five of the class of 2019 rankings. The high upside big man reeled in offers from Furman, Lafayette, American, Bucknell, and UW-Milwaukee. At 6-foot-10, Skogman can shoot the 3, but is exciting Division 1 programs with his new and improved ability to run the floor and handle the basketball in half court sets. In NY2LA Association play, Skogman is averaging 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Dai’Vontrelle Strong – 2020 – PF – Wisconsin Crusaders
A player that showed he could be a scholarship player at the next level, Strong is a double-double machine. A high-upside, high-motor prospect, Strong is raw, but seems to have the right work ethic. Schools will want to track his development closely in July and see what steps Strong can make going into his junior year.
Others: Mason Madsen (Playground Warriors), Quintin Winterfeldt (Wisconsin Blizzard), Isaiah Stewart (Wisconsin Dynasty), Jake Poetzl (Wisconsin Swing), Anthony Washington (Wisconsin Swing), Jordan Davis (Playground Warriors), Tanner Resch (Phenom University), Cameron Palesse (Phenom University)