Prep Hoops Midwest Classic: 17U Prospects to Watch

The Prep Hoops Circuit returns to Appleton this weekend. Here’s a look at many of the top players to watch in the 17U Division of the Midwest Classic... [player_tooltip player_id="804910" first="Nate" last="Abel"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Crusaders One of the best pure point guards at the 17U level, Abel is receiving a lot of Division 2 interest with some D1 programs also staying in constant contact. A playmaking point guard who can create for others, but also seek out his own offense, Abel is coming off a strong junior season for Beaver Dam. He ranks No. 40 in the class of 2021 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id="879990" first="Dustin" last="Beauprey"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Crusaders [caption id="attachment_1017581" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Dustin-Beauprey-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1017581" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Dustin-Beauprey-2-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="879990" first="Dustin" last="Beauprey"][/caption] The No. 31 ranked rising senior, Beauprey is still one of the best-kept secrets in the state. While he plays for little-known Mountain Top Christian Academy, Beauprey has backed up his monster numbers on the AAU circuit and is a strong Division 2 prospect. With an intriguing blend of skill and explosiveness on the ball, Beauprey has the ability to dictate the flow of the game and flat out take over offensively when needed. [player_tooltip player_id="880007" first="Josh" last="Crubaugh"] - 2021 - W - JH1 Elite One of the top shooters in this weekend’s field, Crubaugh can torch teams from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-3 wing has a clean stroke and can knock down shots with a hand in his face. Crubaugh has started to improve in other areas as well, including his open floor game, ability to attack the rim, and his defensive impact. [player_tooltip player_id="879979" first="Brayden" last="Dailey"] - 2021 - SF - Iowa Mavericks Dailey has Division 1 offers from Western Illinois, Toledo, Missouri State, UW-Green Bay, and UW-Milwaukee. A sniper with bounce, Dailey is a deadly shooter, but also an above the rim athlete. The Cuba City wing can score effectively from all three levels and has started to pack on muscle on what used to be a lanky frame. A solid mid-major prospect, Dailey has been one of the top scorers in the state of Wisconsin for three years. [player_tooltip player_id="879993" first="Hayden" last="Doyle"] - 2021 - G - Wisconsin Playground Club A blue collar guard that brings toughness and leadership to the floor, Doyle prides himself on doing the dirty work and extra things that coaches love. That doesn’t mean he can’t score. Doyle is a knockdown shooter from all areas of the floor and has a knack for hitting the big shots. Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan have both offered the Brookfield East star. [player_tooltip player_id="694801" first="Gerald" last="Gittens"] - 2020 - PG - Wisconsin Rap Gittens is going to attend prep school next season where he’ll have a chance to earn Division 1 offers. The former SJNMA standout is a sure-fire Division 2 prospect right now. Gittens excels at getting downhill going to the rim and living in the paint. He’s consistently improved his jumper and floor general skills. Also one of the better athletes in Wisconsin’s 2020 class, there’s a lot for schools to work with here. [player_tooltip player_id="804897" first="James" last="Graham"] - 2021 - SF - Wisconsin Playground Club After a huge off-season on the recruiting trail, Graham has backed it up on the court. The likes of Michigan State, Oregon, Maryland, Florida State, Marquette, Indiana, Memphis, Butler, Georgetown, Xavier, and Wisconsin are all vying for Graham’s services. A promising 6-foot-9 wing who can shoot the rock, Graham is one of the top isolation scorers in the country. [player_tooltip player_id="804902" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"] - 2021 - SG - ABC Young Lions Black [caption id="attachment_1006262" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jayden-Jackson-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1006262" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jayden-Jackson-2-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="804902" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"][/caption] A Division 1 football and basketball prospect, Jackson is still weighing his options. South Alabama has offered on the hardwood and there’s a handful of other mid-majors interested at this time. A blue-collar guard that can score, defend, and rebound, Jackson is a blue collar two-guard who can contribute almost across the board. A natural scorer, Jackson has long arms, skills to create his own shot, and plenty of athleticism to attack the cup. [player_tooltip player_id="804899" first="Zac" last="Johnson"] - 2021 - SG - Wisconsin Playmakers Shaw Maybe the top shooter in the state, Johnson will be pushing for Division 1 offers this summer. Michigan Tech and Winona State are already on board wit the River Falls star. Johnson absolutely cannot be left open. The lefty is extremely comfortable in the catch-and-shoot game and has consistently improved his overall athleticism and ability to attack from different areas of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="879991" first="Max" last="Kunnert"] - 2021 - SG - Wisconsin Sharks A prospect that Division 2 programs need to know more about, Kunnert is the No. 32 ranked player in the class of 2021. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard had a big junior season for a loaded Brookfield Academy squad. Able to score on and off the ball and from all three levels, Kunnert has terrific upside at the next level as a guy schools can use in the catch-and-shoot game, running off screens and opening the floor, or as an extra ball handler versus pressure. Kunnert is also a high-IQ player that doesn’t get enough credit for his facilitating and drive and dish presence as well. [player_tooltip player_id="764114" first="Adam" last="Larson"] - 2021 - F - Wisconsin Academy Larson just picked up his first Division 2 offer from Southwest Minnesota State. The Fennimore product is one of the most intriguing players in his class. A 6-foot-8 forward who can light it up from 3-point range, Larson is also very long and bouncy. Larson can also handle the ball and creates a ton of mismatch problems. For the Division 2 level, you don’t see this type of upside often. [player_tooltip player_id="938201" first="Parker" last="Lawrence"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Blizzard Emery Lawrence is a fast, athletic guard who shoots it very well off the bounce. The Hortonville standout had one of the bigger breakout seasons in the state last season and held his own in a very tough Fox Valley Association. Lawrence plays with excellent pace as well. The 5-foot-11 guard loves to push the tempo and can beat people up and down the floor consistently. [player_tooltip player_id="804911" first="Dylan" last="Lisitza"] - 2021 - PG - Wisconsin Playmakers Shaw [caption id="attachment_1003801" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Dylan-Lisitza.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1003801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Dylan-Lisitza-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="804911" first="Dylan" last="Lisitza"][/caption] One of the most underrated point guards in the state, Lisitza is a terrific facilitator. Lisitza can probe in high percentage areas, handle the ball in traffic, and has a great feel for his teammates. A pass-first floor general, Lisitza can also score the ball when his team needs a bucket. [player_tooltip player_id="701998" first="Donald" last="McHenry"] - 2021 - PG - ABC Young Lions Black McHenry is a break-you-down guard with smooth and explosive handles. The Milwaukee Academy of Science standout has some nice length and is at times impossible to stop in isolation. McHenry gets downhill and to the rim without over-dribbling. He’s a good enough shooter as well when defenders start to sag into the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="880038" first="Sam" last="Ludwig"] - 2021 - G - JH1 Elite A strong, versatile guard, Ludwig is a well-rounded prospect that impacts the game in a variety of ways. He can play inside-out from the guard spot and even take defenders down into the post. Ludwig has a strong frame and is able to put his shoulders down and move people en route to the paint. He uses that strength well when attacking the basket, able to finish against contact and even deliver some blows of his own. [player_tooltip player_id="804915" first="Cael" last="McGee"] - 2021 - G - Wisconsin Rap An explosive guard and high volume scorer, McGee can score big in spurts. He’s an above the rim finisher who loves to draw contact and doesn’t shy away at the rim. The Stoughton guard spaces the floor well from 3-point range, but is at his best in transition where can either push the tempo himself or run the wings. [player_tooltip player_id="764106" first="Gavin" last="McGrath"] - 2021 - C - Wisconsin Playground Club [caption id="attachment_1013176" align="alignright" width="200"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wisconsin-Playground-UAA-Gavin-Mcgrath-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1013176" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wisconsin-Playground-UAA-Gavin-Mcgrath-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="764106" first="Gavin" last="McGrath"][/caption] North Dakota, IUPUI, and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville have all offered the Onalaska center. McGrath is a 6-foot-10 center who can protect the rim, rebound, and crash the offensive glass. Also an underrated 3-point shooter, McGrath has shot it consistently for a while now. [player_tooltip player_id="879983" first="Antuan" last="Nesbitt"] - 2021 - G/W - Wisconsin Sharks Nesbitt ranks No. 18 in the 2021 class and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state. A long, 6-foot-3 guard/wing, Nesbitt plays pretty much four positions. He can act as a point guard and control the game from the top of the key. He’s comfortable working off the ball and finding soft spots in the defense. Nesbitt’s length also allows him to do some stuff on the interior as well. With a raw body, but deep skillset, Nesbitt’s best days are likely still ahead of him. [player_tooltip player_id="880024" first="Ryan" last="Robillard"] - 2021 - W - Wisconsin Blizzard Emery Robillard has three-level scoring ability and is a plus-length prospect. The 6-foot-3 wing is very effective at shooting off the dribble, particularly from 12-18 feet. Robillard has a soft shooting touch and also contributes in other areas as well such as rebounding, facilitating, and on-ball defense.   Others: [player_tooltip player_id="830582" first="Cameron" last="Palesse"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="701965" first="Cade" last="Meyer"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="879981" first="Kamari" last="McGee"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="880003" first="Victor" last="Desmond"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="879989" first="Sam" last="Kick"] (Wisconsin Playground Club), [player_tooltip player_id="880015" first="Clayton" last="Jenny"] (Wisconsin Academy), [player_tooltip player_id="804936" first="Mason" last="Martinson"] (Wisconsin Academy), [player_tooltip player_id="804957" first="Lance" last="Nelson"] (Wisconsin Academy), [player_tooltip player_id="880031" first="Kyle" last="Yu"] (Wisconsin Academy), [player_tooltip player_id="879998" first="Brennan" last="Timm"] (Wisconsin Rap), Jonah Rrindfleisch (Wisconsin Rap), [player_tooltip player_id="804920" first="Jasin" last="Sinani"] (Wisconsin Rap), [player_tooltip player_id="879998" first="Brennan" last="Timm"] (Wisconsin Rap), [player_tooltip player_id="804924" first="Isaiah" last="Hammond"] (JH1 Elite), [player_tooltip player_id="880002" first="Owen" last="Meyer"] (JH1 Elite), [player_tooltip player_id="994493" first="Marko" last="Rajkovic"] (JH1 Elite), [player_tooltip player_id="994504" first="Jacob" last="Dietz"] (Wisconsin Crusaders), [player_tooltip player_id="880025" first="Aidan" last="Ottery"] (Wisconsin Crusaders), [player_tooltip player_id="994492" first="Sam" last="Haese"] (Wisconsin Blizzard), [player_tooltip player_id="865837" first="Chevalier" last="Emery"] (Wisconsin Blizzard), [player_tooltip player_id="963676" first="Alex" last="Singleton"] (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="804959" first="Jay" last="Hinson"] (ABC Young Lions Black), [player_tooltip player_id="981021" first="Ashe" last="Oglesby"] (Wisconsin Sharks), [player_tooltip player_id="880035" first="Ronald" last="Kirk"] (Wisconsin Sharks), [player_tooltip player_id="938202" first="Kody" last="Krekling"] (Wisconsin Sharks), [player_tooltip player_id="879999" first="Jameson" last="Dougherty"] (Wisconsin Playmakers Shaw), [player_tooltip player_id="879992" first="Gavin" last="Ralph"] (Wisconsin Playmakers Shaw), [player_tooltip player_id="880013" first="Liam" last="Dougherty"] (Wisconsin Playmakers Shaw), Matthew Waldera (Wisconsin Playmakers Siler), [player_tooltip player_id="880014" first="Joe" last="Reuter"] (Wisconsin Playmakers Siler), [player_tooltip player_id="879996" first="Jadon" last="Melvin"] (Chapman Basketball Academy), [player_tooltip player_id="761411" first="Najashi" last="Tolefree"] (Wisconsin Playmakers South Rob), Cole Deptula (Wisconsin Starz Elite)