Prospect Spotlight: Even Brauns (2020)
With a big summer ahead playing on the adidas 15U circuit with the Iowa Barnstormers, it seems just a matter of time before 6-foot-8 power forward Even Brauns becomes one of the state’s hottest young prospects.
The Iowa City Regina standout already has a wildly successful freshman season under his belt; he was one of Iowa’s most productive 2020s this past winter going for 10.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
“I think my strengths are really just my post game and my work down low. I like to start my work early, so when my teammates get the ball I’m ready to make my move before I even get the ball. And I think my ability to block shots is really helpful for my team,” said Brauns.
“I’m really trying to extend my jump-shot and really working on my mid-range and getting out there. I feel like if I could improve that I could really take my game to the next level.”
It took a little bit of time for Brauns to get acclimated to the varsity experience, and he says his prior experience with the Barnstormers expedited that process.
“My first few games I wasn’t really in the swing of things, but I felt like I came on and helped give our team a boost. My height really helped us out in the long run, and my prior experience with the Barnstormers really helped,” said Brauns.
Now, his focus shifts to his 15U season, and that begins this weekend in Milwaukee at the NY2LA Swish N’ Dish.
Brauns says he’s very much looking forward to the recruiting process starting up for him this spring, and he discussed his specific goals for the 15U offseason.
“I really look forward to the whole recruitment process, it’s still really new to me. Adidas had us sign up for all the NCAA forms and stuff, and it really gave me good insight on how the recruiting process works and what the academic standards are, and what standards we need to uphold as players,” said Brauns.
“A lot of my goals are to really improve as a leader, I want to do that through AAU. And I feel like with the fast-paced style that were going to play, I can really become a floor-leader for my team and help put guys in the right position on defense. That’s the one thing I think AAU will really help me with.”