Iowa Top 250 Expo: 2019/2020 Top Guards (Part I)
There was an overload of talent that took the floor at the All Iowa Attack Fieldhouse on Saturday morning. And though many guards stood out, and several of the underclassmen in attendance will star on their respective teams this winter, it’s the guys highlighted below who were a cut above the rest at the Top 250 Expo.
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2020 Josh Ollendieck (5’9, Cedar Falls)
Great length and precision shooting are what stood out immediately while watching this young Cedar Falls guard. And as the skills session continued to unfold, it was his basketball instincts — particularly on defense — that were striking. He’ll have to wait his turn before he can star at Cedar Falls, but look for this skilled freshman to standout with the Tigers in a couple years.
2019 Logan Burg (6′ Cedar Rapids Prairie)
A well-built sophomore, Burg caught our eye during the closeout drill of the skills segment. He was extraordinarily quick on his closeout, but also flashed a quick crossover, great speed and athleticism combo, and showed a nice handle later on in the morning.
2019 Gatdoar Bijiek (6’2 Des Moines North)
We’ve seen him play several times with Kingdom Hoops, but what stood out was his immense improvement as a player. He’s got a great feel for the game, and has added some decent handles and nice court awareness. Bijiek is also growing like a weed (his older brother Jal is 6’7) and could add several inches before he’s done. He’s a stock-riser.
2019 Will Turner (5’10 Gilbert)
This Gilbert point guard first caught our attention last spring while playing with the Iowa Wolves 16U. He’s grown a little since then and still has his great vision and shooting ability. What we noticed Saturday was his quickness and blow-by ability, and when he got to the hoop he finished well.
2019 Antonio Turner (5’9 Iowa City High)
It did not take long for us to detect this supremely quick point guard. He was certainly one of the quickest guys at the event, and was getting to the rim at will. His vision and passing is there, and that along with some tight handles are definitely is his strong suits. His jumper needs some work, and as of now his ability to get to the hoop and finish or dish is what makes him effective.
2019 Trey Hinote (6′ Greene County)
Though Hinote was never dominant when we saw him, it was very clear (which he’s made evident time and again) that he’s a cut above the rest. He’s got a nice frame that allows him to absorb contact, and his mid-range jumper was one of the most pure we saw on Saturday. Simply put: Hinote is a gifted athlete, with great balance, who pairs it with top-notch skill.
2019 Tyreke Locure (5’10 Des Moines North)
What else can we say? Locure was the most gifted player on the court Saturday morning, and it wasn’t close. Again he was turning heads everywhere he went in the Attack Fieldhouse and had people in the gym talking. He’s an explosive athlete, but doesn’t flaunt it — he can seemingly turn on the jets at will, and it looks like he’s shooting out of a canon when he does. Elite skill is what makes him great. Defensive instincts that cannot be matched by anyone else in the state is what make him special.