The Final Countdown: 15-11
We’ll head out to our first grassroots event of the spring this weekend, where Class of 2022, 2021 and 2020 prospects will be unearthed. First, though, we take one more look at the best from Iowa’s exceptional Class of 2019. …
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Continue ReadingWe’ll head out to our first grassroots event of the spring this weekend, where Class of 2022, 2021 and 2020 prospects will be unearthed. First, though, we take one more look at the best from Iowa’s exceptional Class of 2019.
15 Kris Murray (Cedar Rapids Prairie)
Not only is Murray one of the best shooters around, but he’s also developed into a very athletic wing. His shooting numbers were good as a senior, going for 55 percent from the floor and 35 percent from deep, but it was his defense, in particular his shot-blocking that set him apart. Murray swatted 2.4 shots per game, which was third-best in Class 4A, and easily the best among 4A guards. At 6’7 with length, skill and athleticism, Murray certainly has the look of a Division I hoops prospect, and it could be just a matter of time before he (and his twin brother, Keegan) land a late D1 offer. Grad school for a year, then D1 could be an option, too.
14 Logan Wolf (Cedar Falls)
One of the state’s best two-sport players, this athletic and tough guard makes another jump in the rankings after carrying his team to another 4A title and being named captain of the all-tournament team in the process. Time and again during his career, Wolf proved that he belongs in the elite Iowa hoopers conversation. He was also a standout wide-receiver standout for the football state runner-up Tigers. Wolf will play both football and basketball at Northern Iowa in college.
13 Derek Krogmann (West Delaware)
Krogmann will play his college ball at Northern Iowa, and the Panthers will be getting a dominant rebounder with a knack for crafty scoring around the rim. What separates the West Delaware big-man from other 6’7 posts is that he features a 7-foot wing-span, that, paired with his lefty prowess makes him extremely hard to handle in the paint. The rebounding numbers for Krogmann are what’s most striking, he pulled down 13.8 boards per game this past season, tops in the state. As a junior, he grabbed 12.4 per game, eighth-best in Iowa.
12 Owen Coburn (Spirit Lake)
Long ago, Owen Coburn ended his recruitment early and committed to South Dakota State. He then forwent his 17U grassroots season and focused on developing his game on his own. So, you could say he’s been flying under the radar a bit. But at 6’10 and with some extra length to boot, you can bet that Coburn continued to methodically dominate competition. And a frequent check of quik stats revealed that he was certainly still one of Iowa’s elite big-men — he spent his senior season with Spirit Lake showing why. Coburn went about his business for the 17-6 Indians while averaging 20.1 points on 65% shooting, he was 80% from the free-throw line, swatted 2.2 shots and pulled down 11.1 boards per game last winter.
11 Japannah Kellogg (Ames)
It’s been an evolutionary high school hoops career for Kellogg, who came into Ames High as a big-man and left as a bona-fide Division I-caliber wing. He worked to develop as a shooter and a ball-handler, and his lean 6’7 frame always looked like a quintessential high-level small forward. He helped lead the Little Cyclones to a state tourney berth last winter while averaging 15.9 points per game, and also leading the squad in blocks and rebounds. It seems Kellogg has a lot of untapped potential left in him, good for Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he’ll play his college ball.