Iowa Barnstormers: Program Profile

The Iowa Barnstormers are official members of the Prep Hoops Circuit and they are one of the top AAU programs in the Midwest. They have high-level talent every year and they are a first-class program in all avenues. Let’s take a deep dive into the Iowa Barnstormers!

Program Profile

Program Name: Iowa Barnstormers

State: Iowa

Teams & Age Groups: 15U Gold, 15U Black, 16U Gold, 16U Black, 17U Gold, 17U Black

The Barnstormers were founded in 2005 with a single team and have grown into something very special. They were born with a vision of helping talented young men in Southeast, IA gain opportunities to play basketball at the collegiate level.

The Barnstormers main focus is to help get kids opportunities to play basketball at the collegiate level. They focus on trying to help every kid, regardless of level, find a home to play at in college. They also try to use basketball as an avenue to help young men learn life lessons and hopefully when they become men, they become productive members of their community and give back.

When it comes to youth basketball, the Barnstormers typically have 5th-8th grade teams that are based out of Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. They also draw players from all over Southeast Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

This program does a great job of building up players, getting them exposure, and helping them get to the next level. Let’s take a look at some of the recent players that have had high-level success:

Alumni

Joe Wieskamp- San Antonio Spurs
Keegan Murray- Iowa
Kris Murray- Iowa
Emarion Ellis- Marquette
Joey Hauser- Michigan State
AJ Green- UNI
Bowen Born – UNI
Even Brauns – Belmont

The Barnstormers have also had 50+ Division 1 players, and 25+ Division 2 players in the past 10 years

This excellent program has many current players that are on similar paths, compared to the players above. On the Barnstormers 17U teams, they have Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA and Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA who have Division 1 offers already, as well as interested at all levels of Division 1 basketball. Caden Kirkman Caden Kirkman 6'8" | PF Wilton | 2023 State IA and Brayson Laube Brayson Laube 6'2" | PG Marion | 2023 State IA currently hold Division 2 offers as well. On their 16U, Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA and Kareem Earl Kareem Earl 6'5" | SF Iowa City West | 2024 State IA are the #1 and #2 ranked players in the state of Iowa according to Prep Hoops and both have visited High Major programs already. They have many other guys at all 3 levels that are ready to take that next step. Their 17U group from top to bottom is filled with kids that will play college basketball at some level.

Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA (2023) |6-8 SF| Cedar Falls – A skilled forward who is an elite shooter. High IQ player who is extremely versatile at his size with the ability to score over both shoulders on the low block. He could be a potential candidate to blow up nationally this spring/summer.

Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA (2023) |6-1 PG| New London – He is extremely athletic and strong. A shifty PG who can defend on-ball at a high level and score at will. He has shown tremendous improvement in his playmaking over the last year. Holds 2 D1 offers.

Brayson Laube Brayson Laube 6'2" | PG Marion | 2023 State IA (2023) |6-2 G| Marion – He is a knockdown shooter. Laube is one of the best shooters in the Midwest. He is also athletic and a very high IQ player. Brayson Can play the 1 or the 2.

Caden Kirkman Caden Kirkman 6'8" | PF Wilton | 2023 State IA (2023) |6-8 PF| Wilton – He is a physical post player with a great feel around the rim. Kirkman has such a great skill set for a post. He can also play inside or out.

Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (2024) |6-6 G/F| Bettendorf – He does not have a weakness in his game. Wilkins does everything on the floor well. He is very athletic and has the ability to knock down shots at a high level.

Kareem Earl Kareem Earl 6'5" | SF Iowa City West | 2024 State IA (2024) |6-5 SF| Iowa City West – He has the ability to really knock down shots. Earl also attacks the rim in an impressive manner.

Here are a few Barnstormer players that are underrated and we highly recommend that you keep your eyes on these guys throughout the spring/summer.

Kade Benjamin Kade Benjamin 6'6" | PF New London | 2023 State IA (2023) |6-6 PF| New London – A forward who is crazy athletic. Kade is an under-the-radar guy that can take a huge leap this spring/summer.

Cameron Atkinson Cameron Atkinson 6'5" | PG Rock Island Senior | 2023 IL (2023) |6-5 G/F| Rock Island (Illinois) – He is also extremely athletic. Cam has all the tools to be a high-level college player. Everyone is intrigued by his athleticism.

Da’Shon Fisher Da’Shon Fisher 6'2" | SG Liberty | 2023 IA (2023) |6-2 CG| Liberty – A combo guard with major bounce. Fisher may be the biggest stock riser in Iowa over this past high school season.

Treyton McCain Treyton McCain 6'1" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA (2024) |6-1 PG| Decorah – He is truly an “old school PG” who just does everything a coach wants to be done at the PG spot. Treyton led his team to the state tournament this year and just makes very few mistakes on either end of the floor.

Barnstormers Wrap-up

This program prides itself on being the best in Iowa, and one of the best in the Midwest at placing kids in college. The Barnstormers goal is to help EVERY kid find a place to play at the next level.

Everything that the Barnstormers do is centered around preparing young men to play basketball at the next level, and also have success in life when the ball does stop bouncing for them. They believe that by holding young men accountable to high standards on and off the court, to being great teammates, to building culture, and being coachable, all of these traits not only transfer to collegiate basketball but most importantly to the game of LIFE!