Wisconsin All-Grassroots Team: Spring Edition
With the first portion of the travel season behind us, Prep Hoops Wisconsin hands out our All-Grassoots teams for the spring AAU season…
FIRST TEAM
PG – Gage Malensek (Iowa Barnstormers)
Got stronger as the spring wore on and his role/value with the Iowa Barnstormers seemed to increased. A guard that plays with excellent pace, Malensek knows how to apply pressure to defenses and is always a threat to get to the rim. Malensek put up some huge numbers in the Adidas Gauntlet, including a 36-point effort against Team Rose. He also averaged north of four assists per outing.
SG – Johnny Davis (Playground Warriors)
Averaged 17.1 points per game on 55.0 percent shooting in the Under Armour Association. Quietly rising nationally, Davis has an improved offensive game, matching his impact defensively. One of the best two-way players in the state, Davis led the Playground Warriors to a 5-3 record, in good shape to reach the Under Armour Finals in Las Vegas.
SF – Jalen Johnson (Phenom University)
Aside from a consistent 3-point shot, there’s not anything Johnson lacks in his game. He’s B+/A- in just about every area — except of course versatility, which is an A+ as he can play/defend any position on the floor. Cementing himself as a top 10 player nationally, Johnson often looked like the best player on the floor every time out in the EYBL.
PF – Jamari Sibley (Phenom University)
The high-upside forward was putting up big performances all spring. Yes, he benefits from playing alongside some unselfish play makers, but Sibley can carry the load as well when Johnson and Reece Beekman are off the floor. The 6-foot-8 forward is a highlight waiting to happen. His above the rim ability on both ends of the floor is second to few in the 2020 class. If the below the rim impact catches up…watch out.
C – Michael Foster (Milwaukee Spartans)
Foster went toe-to-toe against some of the nation’s top players and travel programs this spring and dominated. Arguably the top player in the country in 2021, Foster is a man child. The 6-foot-9 freshman is built like a 20 year-old and has the shooting stroke of a guard. With his size and athleticism at this age, if Foster catches around the rim, it’s already over.
Sixth Man: Marcus Domask (Ray Allen Select)
Domask ranked near the top in numerous statistical categories throughout the NY2LA Association circuit. He’s top 10 in floor impact, rebounding, and efficiency — not to mention top 20 in scoring, 3-point shooting percentage, and assists.
SECOND TEAM
PG – Cole Nau (Ray Allen Select)
Nau ranks seventh in the NY2LA Association in assists (3.4 apg). He’s also shooting an even 50.0 percent from downtown. With a unique ability to elevate everybody around him, Nau has cemented himself as a top prospect in the state of Wisconsin and a Division 1 caliber player.
SG – Ace Evans (Wisconsin Shooters)
Putting up just shy of 17 points per game in the NY2LA Association, Evans ranks fourth in that category. Putting together a breakout spring, Evans showed a relentless attacking ability. The 6-foot-1 guard excelled at sizing his man up and getting to the rim.
SF – Nick Otto (Wisconsin Crusaders)
Otto’s ability to shoot the basketball opened eyes this spring. The 6-foot-4 wing can be deadly in the catch-and-shoot game. With his hand-down, man-down mentality, Otto showed promise as a high volume scorer.
PF – David Joplin (Phenom University)
You could really see the light turn on for Joplin late in the spring on the EYBL circuit. Joplin showed offensive takeover ability and mismatch potential. The 6-foot-5 forward is a threat from nearly everywhere on the floor. He checks off a lot of boxes physically, but it’s his 3-point shooting and ability to handle the basketball that should have power-five program excited.
F/C – Caden Boser (Wisconsin Swing)
A pick n’ pop threat, Boser shot the ball at a high level this spring. The 6-foot-7 forward has a great stroke and is good for a few triples each time out. Not only a consistent shooter, Boser is improving his ball handling and dribble penetration skills, which will keep Division 1 schools interested.
Sixth Man: Brayden Dailey (Wisconsin Swing)
One of the top players in the 15U division of the NY2LA Association, Dailey is a big mismatch problem. The high-scoring forward can shoot from all over the floor, but also take people inside. Very advanced offensively, Dailey already possesses the ability to score fading away from the rim.
THIRD TEAM
G: Keaton Ferris (Wisconsin Crusaders)
A deadly shooter with a lightning quick shooting stroke, Ferris did some ridiculous things this spring. The Kaukauna native can absolutely light it up from 3-point range.
G: Donneil Gray (Wisconsin Triple Threat/Playground Elite)
One of the top creators in Wisconsin, Gray was outstanding all spring. He’s asked to take a lot of shots, but always seems to deliver.
G/F: Carlos Ramsey (Milwaukee Spartans)
Maybe has the best case to be on the second or even first team after some of the things he pulled off in the spring. The strong, high scoring wing was outstanding against upper level competition this spring.
G/F: Anthony Washington (Wisconsin Swing)
One of the biggest breakout performers in the spring, Washington rose in the latest class of 2020 rankings. A two-way standout with excellent leaping ability, Washington greatly impressed with his transition ability.
F/C: David Skogman (Ray Allen Select)
Skogman is beginning to rack up Division 1 offers after displaying his high-upside. The 6-foot-10 forward runs and jumps very well for his size and can also stretch the floor consistently from 3-point range.
Sixth Man: Larry Canady (Playground Warriors)
The Playground Warriors took some lumps in the Under Armour Association, but Canady was a warrior. Arguably the top two-way player in the state, Canady showed the ability to score and defend high major players throughout the spring.
FOURTH TEAM
G: Jaden Kreklow (Wisconsin Academy)
Another player that perhaps deserves to be higher, Kreklow excelled in crunch time. A play making guard who wants to take the big shots, Kreklow is one of the state’s best kept secrets.
G: Jaeden Zackery (Kessel Heat)
Zackery averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in the NY2LA Association. A do-it-all guard that’s also a strong on-ball defender, Zackery isn’t being recruited enough, specifically at the Division 2 level.
G Desmond Polk (Phenom University)
Polk performed well in the EYBL. He shot the ball consistently from 3-point range and also defended at a high level. Picking up high major offers in the spring, Polk’s upside as a plus-length combo guard continues to draw more looks.
SF: Jordan Davis (Playground Warriors)
As consistent as it gets in the state, Davis is a player you never have to worry about if he’s going to show up. A strong mid-range shooter with better-than-advertised athleticism, Davis is a solid mid-major prospect if he goes the hoops route.
PF: Donovan Ivory (Wisconsin Blizzard)
One of the fastest rising prospects in the state of Wisconsin, Ivory is a point forward with budding versatility. The 6-foot-4 wing is a junkyard dog on the glass that creates good things with his hustle and motor.
Sixth Man: Ricky Canady (Gallo Sports Center)
We didn’t get many viewings of Canady, but when we did, he was terrific. A 6-foot-2 wing that can play anywhere on the perimeter, even point guard, Canady is a bulldozer with a great feel for the game when he gets into high percentage areas.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Lindsey (Phenom University), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Phenom University), Abe Scruggs (World Hoops Elite), Colin Schaeffer (Wisconsin Swing), Karter Thomas (Ray Allen Select), Jake Buchannan (Wisconsin Blizzard), Isaiah Stewart (Wisconsin Dynasty), Rocky Martinez (Young Legends), Chombi Lambert (Wisconsin Blizzard), Kaleim Taylor (MilwaukeeSpartans), Cameron Palesse (Phenom University), Ben Nau (Phenom University), Zac Johnson (Wisconsin Playmakers), Tanner Resch (Phenom University), Luke Haasl (Wisconsin Crusaders), Reid Larson (Wisconsin Academy), Jackson Knoll (Wisconsin Academy), Eli Cousidine (Randolph Boys Club), Sam Hepp (Playground Warriors), Reed Miller (Playground Warriors), Trequan Carrington (Playground Elite), Will Mahoney (Ray Allen Select), Dalton Banks (D1 Minnesota), Malachi Athnos (Wisconsin Playmakers), Nick Caropreso (Wisconsin Academy), Sam Kick (Wisconsin Playmakers), Preston Ruedinger (Pack Attack), Jordan Wendt (Team 1848), Trevon Chislom (Wisconsin Starz), Troy Reeves (Wisconsin Triple Threat), Tyrell Stuttley (Wisconsin Dynasty), Trey Zastrow (Playground Warriors), Gerald Gittens (Wisconsin Rap), Grant Flory (Wisconsin Swing), Quintin Winterfeldt (Wisconsin Blizzard), Terrance Thompson (Playground Warriors)