Midwest Showcase: Iowa 2024 and 2025 Guards
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On Friday and Saturday, some of the top talent from around the Midwest will convene at Staley High School in Kansas City for a live period event for Division I coaches. Forty Iowans are among the players who will be…
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Continue ReadingOn Friday and Saturday, some of the top talent from around the Midwest will convene at Staley High School in Kansas City for a live period event for Division I coaches. Forty Iowans are among the players who will be in attendance. In this article, we take a look at the guards from the Class of 2024 and 2025 that made the cut and will play this weekend.
Redek Born Redek Born 6'3" | PG Norwalk | 2024 State IA (Norwalk)
A three-level scoring guard with good size at 6-3ish, Born is a high IQ scorer who can create his own looks at a high level. He’s not quite as explosive or quick-twitch as older brother Bowen Born was, but he’s bigger and uses that size and length effectively on both ends of the floor. He has good footwork and is a really good shooter both off the dribble and the catch.
Owen Larson Owen Larson 6'1" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024 State IA (Estherville Lincoln Central)
Larson has already ended his recruitment with a commitment to South Dakota State, but the talented guard was dynamic as a sophomore and will have a chance to show that he stands among the elite guards in the Midwest with his play in Kansas City. Another high IQ guard who gets to the rim seemingly at will, he’s equally content scoring or getting others involved. He does a great job absorbing contact and finishing around the bucket and is an excellent ball-handler.
Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA (Ankeny)
Johnson was selected to compete in this event by the IBCA, but will not be able to play as he battles a knee injury. When healthy, he’s one of the best pure point guards in the state, a high IQ guard who is an excellent ball-handler and decision-maker, as well as an absolute pest on the defensive end of the floor.
Gavin Thomas Gavin Thomas 6'1" | SG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024 State IA (Aplington-Parkersburg)
A 6-1 combo guard who can play both with and without the ball in his hands, Thomas impacts the game in a major way on both ends of the floor with his length, athleticism, and IQ. He’s a three-level scorer who can create his own shot as well as get looks for others. He contributes on the glass on both ends of the floor and has quick hands defensively.
Lio Aguirre Lio Aguirre 6'3" | SF Ankeny | 2024 State IA (Ankeny)
A powerful 6-2 scoring guard, Aguirre uses his physical frame to bully his way to the rim for finishes through contact routinely. He has continually improved as a playmaker, getting others involved, and he does a great job changing speeds to get by defenders and give them a different look. He has also improved as an on-ball defender, using his length and lateral quickness to get up into opposing ball-handlers.
Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | PG Valley | 2025 State #157 Nation IA (Valley, 2025)
A big point guard who was recently pegged as the #1 player in the 2025 class within the state, Stinson uses his 6-4 frame to control the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a high IQ lead guard with an excellent feel for the game. He can guard either perimeter spot as well as occasionally switch onto bigger players with his size, and he’s a gifted playmaker who sees the floor at a high level. He currently holds an offer from Missouri.