Leading Returning Assists: Class 4A

<p><strong>1.) Joe Hammer (Ottumwa, 2021) - 5.3 assists per game</strong></p> <p>Hammer plays alongside one of the state’s top scoring threats in [player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"], which gives him plenty of opportunities to notch assists. A heady player who protects the ball, he should have a big senior season for the Bulldogs. </p> <p><strong>2.) [player_tooltip player_id="796110" first="Malik" last="Allen"] (Waukee, 2021) - 5.2 assists per game</strong></p> <p>Allen led 4A in scoring last year at Des Moines North, and also showed his ability to get others involved. Now playing on a loaded Waukee team alongside DeVries, Sandfort, Sandfort and Biliew, he should have a ton of opportunities to rack up huge assist numbers. </p> <p><strong>3.) [player_tooltip player_id="962634" first="Jermaine" last="Gardner"] (Davenport West, 2022) - 4.8 assists per game</strong></p> <p>A quick lead guard who thrives on getting to the bucket, Gardner is a solid drive-and-kick guard who also looks to push the tempo.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Tucker-DeVries.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1073098" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Tucker-DeVries-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>4.) [player_tooltip player_id="727862" first="Tucker" last="DeVries"] (Waukee, 2021) - 4.7 assists per game</strong></p> <p>A supremely skilled shotmaker, DeVries is also one of the state’s best passers. With great size, he can see over everyone on the floor, and he has an excellent feel for the game. He’ll play his college ball at Drake for his dad.</p> <p><strong>5.) [player_tooltip player_id="796124" first="Jeron" last="Crews"] (Centennial, 2021) - 4.5 assists per game</strong></p> <p>Crews is an all-around solid player who was vital in the Jaguars’ success last year, helping lead Centennial to State for the first time. He’s a well-built guard who can get to the bucket at will.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066742" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>6.) [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"] (Hoover, 2023) - 4.5 assists per game</strong></p> <p>Henderson averaged 17 points a game as a freshman playing in arguably the toughest league in the state. The son of Hoover coach Courtney Henderson, Chase has an excellent feel for the game, is cat quick and, while he’s a great scorer, he’s also capable of dominating a game without putting up points.</p> <p><strong>7.) [player_tooltip player_id="682265" first="Trey" last="Campbell"] (Cedar Falls, 2022) - 4.4 assists per game</strong></p> <p>A long, athletic lead guard, Campbell has a good feel for the game and has a lot of weapons to feed with the Tigers. He looks to push the tempo whenever possible. </p> <p><strong>8.) Brendon Hale (Burlington, 2021) - 4.1 assists per game</strong></p> <p>A key piece for a Grayhounds team that should be improved, Hale also made an impact on the defensive end, swiping a steal a game. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Payton-Sandfort.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1073099" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Payton-Sandfort-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>9.) [player_tooltip player_id="727863" first="Payton" last="Sandfort"] (Waukee, 2021) - 4.0 assists per game</strong></p> <p>The future Hawkeye is one of the best shooters in the Midwest, but he also sees the floor extremely well and is a gifted passer. </p> <p><strong>10.) [player_tooltip player_id="727916" first="Michael" last="Alexander"] (Burlington, 2021) - 3.8 assists per game</strong></p> <p>Another Grayhound on the list, Alexander led the team in scoring at 15.4 points a game to go with his 3.8 helpers. </p>