Potential Small School Hidden Gems in 2021

<p>A look at a handful of prospects who might not be scholarship players at the next level, but could develop into special players while in college despite their ranking...</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="804959" first="Jay" last="Hinson"]  Jr. - Shooting Guard - Wauwatosa East</p> <p>If you watched the state tournament, you know how valuable a player like Hinson is.  He’s a two-way guard who can lock up the other team’s best player and then hit timely shots on the other end of the floor. Hinson averaged 13 points per game on a very deep and balanced Red Raiders squad, who won the D1 title. Hinson is a knock down 3-point shooter that can also score from all three levels. Defensively, he plays with great anticipation, moves his feet, and gets his hand on the basketball. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="804917" first="Mark" last="Wade"] - Point Guard - Brown Deer</p> <p>Wade has always played with a lot of talent at the high school and AAU levels and has gotten overshadowed over the past four years. He still averaged 14 points per game for the Falcons. A plus-length, athletic guard that can still pack on a lot of weight once he gets into a college strength and conditioning program, Wade can score and facilitate at a high level.  Think he’s a kid that will operate well late in shot clock situations with his high-IQ and efficient mid-range game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="994505" first="Angelo" last="Rizzo"] - Shooting Guard - Janesville Craig</p> [caption id="attachment_1063666" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/ANGELO-RIZZO-99.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1063666" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/ANGELO-RIZZO-99-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="994505" first="Angelo" last="Rizzo"][/caption] <p>One of the best shot makers in the 2021 class, Rizzo averaged 21 points per game as a senior. He’s got really good positional size (6-5) and a high release that defenders just don’t challenge all that well. Rizzo is the type of kid that come down the floor and get something in rhythm early in possessions.  Not overly athletic, but just has a ton of tools to create a quality look, whether it’s off the dribble or finding open space off the ball.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1115918" first="Logan" last="Kowalski"] - Power Forward - Kettle Moraine</p> <p>Kowalski could be a star in the WIAC and there appears to be a couple of programs vying hard for his services. The 6-foot-8 power forward is just scratching the surface and is not only a serviceable big man at the college level, but one with upside. Kowalski has big feet, but moves them very well. He protects the rim, runs the floor, and has a soft touch on his go-to post moves. Kowalski shows some ability to step away from the rim and shoot the ball.  He can also be very effective in the pick n’ roll as someone that sets hard screens, but his nimble enough to roll to the rim before the help-side defense can react.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1072735" first="Cole" last="Kalander"] - Forward - Holmen</p> <p>Not sure we know what Kalander is yet. Not even sure UW-Oshkosh, where Kalander is committed to play next season, knows either. Right now, the 6-foot-7 forward is a ball of clay ready to be molded. Kalander has some of the best upside and athleticism in the state. He’s a gazelle that can run the open floor and make highlight plays above the rim. Physically, he’s very impressive and continues to pack on weight. Kalander averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior and just continues to shows big flashes. There aren’t many, if any, of these types of athletes playing in the WIAC and the Titans may end up hitting the jackpot here if Kalander puts his head down and works behind the scenes for a season or two.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="994392" first="Marcell" last="Drone"] - Power Forward - Sheboygan South</p> <p>An unsigned senior, Drone has a ton of upside and untapped potential.  He is a long, strong, and explosive 6-foot-7 forward that can set a tone around the rim. Drone averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game in a shortened season for Sheboygan South. He’s got a junkyard dog mentality and gets off the floor very quickly. Even if his offensive skillset doesn’t arrive,  think a kid like Drone has plenty of value as someone who can protect the rim, keep opponents off the glass, and generate second-chance opportunities.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1114339" first="A.J." last="Hintz"] - Point Guard - Pewaukee</p> <p>Just really like the way Hintz approaches the point guard position. He’s not always a guy that will score a lot of points, but if defenses forget about him, he can put up numbers in a hurry. Hintz puts a lot of pressure on the defense with his uptempo nature. He’s one of those guys you hate guarding, because he doesn’t take a ton of shots, but he’s always probing and putting pressure on defenders and if you fall asleep, he can be at the rim in the blink of an eye.  Hintz is committed to UW-La Crosse where he could be a real x-factor type player in the WIAC.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="963676" first="Alex" last="Singleton"] - Forward - Wauwatosa East</p> <p>Put Singleton on the floor, he’ll find a way to contribute. A high-energy, do-it-all forward, Singleton  just has a knack for making winning plays. Part of a deep and balanced Tosa East squad that won the D1 state title, Singleton averaged 14 points per game.  He is a tweener at 6-foot-5, but makes up for it with heart, athleticism, and a well-rounded skillset.  A prospect that just battles every minute he’s on the floor and plays with so much passion, even if Singleton never plays a minute of college ball, which is highly unlikely, he makes your team better. </p>