2024 Initial Rankings: The Storylines

[caption id="attachment_1254565" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Wilkins.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1254565 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Wilkins-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171682" first="Caden" last="Wilkins"] headlines our initial 2024 rankings[/caption] <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The race for #1 is on</strong></span></p> <p>Bettendorf wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171682" first="Caden" last="Wilkins"] opens up as the top-ranked player in the 2024 class. A 6-6 do-everything wing, Wilkins makes a major impact on the game on both ends of the floor, and has been the best player for a very talented Iowa Barnstormers team this summer. He is priming with potential and should start to emerge as one of the best players in the state this year. He’s got some real competition for the #1 spot, with Iowa City West wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171670" first="Kareem" last="Earl"], Cedar Falls forward [player_tooltip player_id="1171693" first="Cade" last="Courbat"], Norwalk guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171661" first="Redek" last="Born"], and Des Moines Lincoln guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171658" first="Trovary" last="Cavil"] following behind him to round out the top five.</p> <p>Earl, the son of former Hawkeye star Acie Earl, put together a strong freshman season at West, averaging 7.3 points and shooting nearly 37% from behind the arc. A fluid athlete, Earl can really shoot it and is developing the ability to create his own shot. If he continues growing and gets anywhere near his father’s size (listed at 6-10), he’ll become a highly coveted prospect. Courbat, the younger brother of Northern Iowa big man [player_tooltip player_id="796099" first="Chase" last="Courbat"], is a 6-6/6-7 lefty who can stretch the floor and protect the rim. He has more of a perimeter game than his older brother did, and is definitely someone who will be near the top of these rankings throughout his high school career. Born, the younger brother of Northern Iowa guard [player_tooltip player_id="801831" first="Bowen" last="Born"], is primed to blow up as a sophomore. A talented scorer with good size, he has a smooth game and the ability to score from all three levels. Cavil was the most productive of the 2024s last year, averaging 15.0 points and 3.8 assists in the loaded CIML. If Cavil can become a more efficient scorer, an aspect of his game that looked improved when we saw Lincoln at the Winterset Shootout in June, he could become a big-time player. </p> <p>Outside of the top five, there are a number of other players who could make a leap in the coming years. Centennial forward Reese Robinson, an athletic 6-8 forward who can do a little bit of everything, could become a major player if he can put it all together. Waukee wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171683" first="Mason" last="Costello"] had some very successful outings playing up with Pure Prep’s 17U team, showing the ability to stuff the stat sheet. And no player helped himself as much this summer as Heelan wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171695" first="Matthew" last="Noll"], who had a huge summer shooting the rock for Martin Brothers. With his size and shooting, he’ll be someone to keep an eye on.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Five different grassroots programs represented in the top ten</strong></span></p> <p>The talent at the top of the 2024 class is spread across five different grassroots programs right now. That may change as players are constantly moving, but it’s nice to see the talent spread out. Martin Brothers leads the way with three players in the top ten (Courbat, [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"]), while the Iowa Barnstormers (Wilkins, Earl), All-Iowa Attack (Born, [player_tooltip player_id="1171698" first="Abram" last="Edwards"]), and Pure Prep (Robinson, Costello) each have two players. MADE Hoops (Cavil) has one player in the top ten. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Lots of talented guards</strong></span></p> <p>There are a ton of really talented lead guards near the top of this initial list. In addition to Born and Cavil, Estherville Lincoln Central’s [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"], Ankeny’s [player_tooltip player_id="1171660" first="Carson" last="Johnson"], Xavier’s [player_tooltip player_id="1171667" first="Joseph" last="Bean"], West Branch’s [player_tooltip player_id="1171662" first="Holden" last="Arnaman"], and Decorah’s [player_tooltip player_id="1171655" first="Treyton" last="McCain"] are each in the top 20. It will be interesting to see how each of these players grow and develop, and to see which one rises to the top. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Be patient!</strong></span></p> <p>There are 55 players currently ranked, and if you don’t see your name on this initial rankings list, be patient! Over the course of these players’ high school careers, the rankings will expand to at least 250 players, and there is plenty of time to be seen and make your name known to us, others around the state, and to college coaches. Keep working hard, developing your game, and trust the process!</p>