Iowa Top 250 Expo Preview: Top Wings (Part I)
Even with the Hawkeyes and Cyclones dueling on the gridiron, we at Prep Hoops Iowa have basketball on the mind. This weekend marks the unofficial start to the 2016/17 hoops season for us, and we’ll start the season with a bang in Ames.
With over 200 prospects — from frosh to seniors — at the All Iowa Attack Field House Saturday morning (2019/20) and evening (2016/17), we’ve taken the liberty to preview some of the top names to look out for.
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2017 Lim Chuol (Chariton)
He really put himself on the map after notching three consecutive triple-doubles last season as a junior with Chariton. The rangy 6’3 wing is versatile and can play nearly all positions on the floor.
2017 Broden Coulter (Dike-New Hartford)
He didn’t get a ton pf playing time last season with a talented Wolverines squad, but when he did he sure made the most of it. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard connected on an astounding 56 percent of his 3-point attempts (18-32).
2018 Derrick Diggins (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
A top-25 prospect in Iowa’s 2018 class, Diggins was a starter his freshman season with a 4A state-qualifier. That’s something that very few guys can boast of.
2019 Evan Gauger (Indianola)
He’s the smallest guy on this list, but man can he light it up. He could have been a nice fit on the point guard list, but when we’ve seen him play he’s most effective in the shooting guard slot. The slender 6′ All Iowa Attack product is a savvy, crafty and skilled scorer — think of a mini Steph Curry.
2018 Mitch Gehling (Beckman Catholic)
This tall and long small forward caught our eye at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes in Minnealpois last May. He was a key player with the Iowa Mavericks there, and with his great size (6’6) and increasing skill level he should standout this weekend in Ames.
2018 John Herrick (Boone)
Herrick caught a lot of buzz this offseason playing on the 16U circuit, and has fielded some calls from D1 programs because of it. He’s got very good size and some nice bounce. Look for a 6’7 small forward who can handle it, shoot it, and will swat anything that comes his was on defense.
2017 Kole Perkins (Danville)
More finesse than anything else, Perkins is a smooth operator who glides to the hoop and is deceivingly athletic. He was not the first option last season with the Bears but would have been with most other 1A schools in the state. He is certainly one of the more under the radar players in Iowa.
2018 Keith Johnson (Dubuque Hempstead)
This kid is an absolute stud. A very lengthy 6-foot-5 small forward. He excels at defending on the perimeter or in the paint, and he scores well around the rim. If left open he can bury a jumper too. He’s Iowa’s 21st-ranked 2018, and Saturday will be a perfect situation for him to justify the high ranking — we think he will.