Area Rankings: Top 10 2023 Prospects in the CR/IC Corridor
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The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City corridor is always filled with talent, and the 2023 class is no exception as Johnson and Linn counties are home to six of the top 25 2023 prospects in the state. Below we take…
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Continue ReadingThe Cedar Rapids and Iowa City corridor is always filled with talent, and the 2023 class is no exception as Johnson and Linn counties are home to six of the top 25 2023 prospects in the state. Below we take a little deeper look at the top 10 prospects in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor to kick off our “Area Rankings” series that will detail some of the top prospects from different parts of the state in each class.
The only player on this top 10 who has already committed to a program, Laube is one of three Barnstormers who will play his college ball at Augustana (SD). The Vikings are getting a dynamic scoring guard who can play both with and without the ball in his hands. He has unlimited range, and his ability to create space with creative footwork and ball-handling is rivaled by few in the state. He’s coming off a junior year in which he averaged 20.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 51% from the floor and 41% from the arc.
One of the top remaining uncommitted players in the class, Sain is an athletic and long 6-5/6-6 wing who provides some versatility on both ends of the floor for the Warriors. He’s coming off a strong junior year in which he averaged a team-high 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds a game, showing improved confidence in his jumper and the ability to create his own looks. As his ball-handling and playmaking continue to improve, his ceiling looks higher and higher.
Reed has unfortunately dealt with injuries throughout each of the last two summers, which has slowed his recruitment down a bit. He picked up an offer from Upper Iowa last month, and he could pick up a handful of other Division II looks soon. He’s fantastic when operating in ball screen action, with elite court vision and handles. He’s a true point guard who looks to get others involved first and foremost, but he has also really improved as a shot creator and shot maker over the last few years. He’s a good perimeter shooting threat who also has the quick first step and creative finishing skills to be an effective three-level scorer.
Highlights
An electric 6-2 combo guard, Fisher enjoyed a breakout junior year for the Lightning, averaging 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists a game while shooting over 52% from the floor. He uses his big, physical frame to bully defenders en route to the rim, where he looks to dunk on everyone. He has steadily improved his all-around offensive game, adding a mid-range game to his arsenal last year and now working to extend that range out to the arc.
Despite being the focal point of opposing game plans as a junior while the Saints dealt with a number of injuries to key pieces, Yamilkoski delivered his most efficient season yet, averaging 15.2 points and 5.3 rebounds on 45-38-79 shooting splits. A heady wing with good length and size, he has the ability to score in bunches from all three levels, and as he has become a more efficient scorer, he has become much more deadly. He impressed during the spring and summer with his effort on the defensive end as well, showing some versatility and ability to move his feet and stay in front of opposing ball-handlers.
A tough, physical guard who makes up for his lack of ideal size by being a flat-out competitor, Dophin had a huge junior year for the Cougars, helping lead them to the 4A semifinals by averaging a team-high 14.0 points with 46-40-86 shooting splits. A knockdown lefty shooter who is equally adept shooting it off the dribble or the catch, he moves well without the ball in his hands but is also a strong secondary ball-handler and decision-maker for Kennedy. He seems to get stronger as the game progresses, embracing contact and playing strong on-ball defense. He currently holds a Division II offer from Upper Iowa and a JuCo offer from Kirkwood.
The son of former Kirkwood coach Doug Wagemester, Jack is a high IQ combo guard who can defend multiple positions, facilitate, and knock down open looks. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game as a junior while shooting over 41% from behind the arc, and he should see his numbers skyrocket as a senior following a number of graduations.
A long, athletic 6-5 rim-runner, Haughenbury was a major contributor for last year’s 1A champions, averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting nearly 68% from the floor. He does a great job using his length and athleticism to get into passing lanes (3.0 steals a game), contest shots, and rebound effectively on both ends of the floor. He has good footwork and touch around the bucket with either hand.
A 5-10 guard with a quick first step, Sellers averaged 11.4 points and 3.4 rebounds a game as a junior for the Warriors, using his burst to blow by defenders and get to the rim. He’s a capable playmaker, but he’s at his best when he’s playing downhill and getting to the rim for finishes of his own. He has quick hands and feet on the defensive end and can be a strong on-ball defender.
Highlights
A 6-1 point guard, Harris led the Warriors by dishing out 3.6 assists a game last season and posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. He has decent size and does a good job playing with pace to keep the defense on their toes. If he can improve his jumper, he has a chance to become an impact player at the next level.