Hardwood Classic: 17U Iowa Preview
With one last live period left this offseason to showcase themselves, it’s Lawrence, KS at the Hardwood Classic where these Iowa teams have decided to converge. Tons of college coaches from all levels were in attendance last July at the very same event, and this year should be no different.
Below you’ll find the teams’ pool play schedules – those games will be played Thursday and Friday. We’ll be there Saturday morning for the start of bracket play, and then again for Championship Sunday.
5 Players to Watch:
Ben Juhl, 6′ G, Kingdom Hoops Elite
The savvy combo guard may not be the best player on an extraordinarily talented Kingdom Hoops Elite squad, but he’s probably the most underrated. With an uncanny ability and feel for the game, plus sharpshooting ability and slick handles, there’s no reason this kid should not at least have some Division II offers right now.
Douglas Wilson, 6’6 PF, Kingdom Hoops Elite
Like Juhl, Wilson is a guy that teams have been hesitant to commit to up to this point. The athletic post has a knack for getting buckets and when he leaps he soars. Wilson has plenty of Division II and low-major Division I interest right now – we’ll see if schools act upon that interest and offer the top 2017.
Tajen Ross, 6’2 G, Kingdom Hoops Red
This ADM product has already rocketed up the 2017 rankings and should continue to do so. NAIA Doane out of Nebraska became the first school to offer last month, and there are several others hot on his trail. Ross is a skilled and decent-sized combo guard with a great first step and blow-by ability.
Solomon Clayton, 6’4 SF, AFES
Division II schools need to be where Clayton is, and it may behoove some JuCos to take notice too. This kid has gotten 100 percent more aggressive over the past year, and has added some bounce and skill to his game too. He’s going to be a top-30 prospect in our next installment of 2017 rankings.
Trevor Miller, 6’5 SF, Iowa Cornsharks
Miller is an NAIA program’s dream, and Division II schools may want to check him out too. He’s a wiry 6-foot-5 now, but I’m told his older brother was the same way before filling out once he got to college. Miller can shoot the 3-ball well, and will put the ball on the deck too. Plus his extreme length makes him that much more versatile.
The Teams:
Kingdom Hoops Elite (Pool A)
Thursday: 3:05 PM vs Illinois Wolves
Friday: 1:25 PM vs ET21 Buckeyes (IL)
AFES (Pool E)
Thursday: 12:20 PM vs MBA Flight (MO)
Friday: 3:35 PM vs TOP City (KS)
B.A.M. (Pool F)
Thursday: 4:10 PM vs Missouri Gym Rats
Friday: 4:40 PM vs LockDown Elite (IN)
Showtime Hoopers Black (Pool L)
Friday: 10:10 AM Texas Future San Antonio
Friday: 5:45 PM vs Hoopers Basketball Club (IL)
Iowa Cornsharks (Pool N)
Friday: 11:45 AM vs Reagan Raiders (TX)
Friday: 5:45 AP vs Servants (OK)
Iowa Prep Red (Pool O)
Thursday: 8:30 AM vs Rainmakers Premier (MO)
Friday: 4:40 PM vs Missouri Hustle (MO)
Kingdom Hoops Black (Pool P)
Thursday: 3:05 PM vs Kansas MTXE Green
Friday: 11:15 AM vs North Dakota Phenom National
Kingdom Hoops Red (Pool S)
Thursday: 2:00 PM vs SSA Elite White (KS)
Friday: 1:25 PM vs Arkansas Hoyas