Prep Hoops Top 250: Tony’s Gamechangers
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A recurring segment after each Prep Hoops Circuit event will be our GameChangers series. Bringing you the best scorekeeping, live video streaming, and team management services of any mobile app on the market, GameChanger is a product every grassroots team in the country can use to better serve their players and their families.
So, what makes a Prep Hoops “GameChanger?” That is up to the eyes of the beholder. It may be an additional top performer still leftover from our prior event coverage. A player who made a key play that swung the game or maybe knocked in a game-winning shot could be highlighted here. Or, it simply could be a prospect that brought all of the intangibles to the table that led his team to victory. Each of these five prospects has something that makes them a game-changing player. Let’s dive on in and highlight some of the GameChangers from our annual Prep Hoops Iowa Top 250.
Wilkinson has quickly become a favorite of mine over the last year because of the way he impacts the game on both ends of the floor. In modern basketball, you want your wing to be able to shoot it (check), create for himself (check), create for others (check), defend multiple positions (check), and be able to contribute on the glass (check). Wilkinson does each of these things very well. Nothing that he does is going to blow you away, but he’s going to limit mistakes and contribute to a winning basketball team both at the high school level and when he takes his game at college in a few years. He’s versatile on both ends of the floor, a high IQ player who understands angles and positioning, and he’s not afraid to get on the floor and play hard on every possession.
Highlights
What makes Lincoln Cantrall Lincoln Cantrall 6’8″ | PF Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA a game changer? Simply put, it’s his ability to shoot the basketball. He has established himself as one of the best shooters in the state over the last year, and that flamethrowing ability was on full display on Saturday in Des Moines. When you combine his ability to shoot it off the catch with his size at 6-7, he’s difficult to defend against. He moves really well without the ball in his hands, using off-ball screens to open up a little bit of space, and he has a quick release off the catch. Shooting has become such a huge part of the game, and Cantrall can absolutely shoot the leather off the ball.
Loney has game-changing size, now up to about 6-10, and his skill set is rapidly improving to go with that size. He was able to routinely score on post touches, showing a nice little righty jump-hook with good footwork and great touch around the rim. As he continues to develop other post moves and counter moves, he’ll be really difficult to defend with his combination of size, length, and footwork. What really makes him a game changer, however, is his ability to protect the paint on the defensive end. He has really good instincts and timing on that end of the floor, making life difficult for opposing scorers in the painted area.
Bracker was a solid role player as a freshman for a very good Lynx team, coming off the bench to average 3.8 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. It looks like he may be ready to step into a starring role this year as a sophomore. A 6-6 big man who uses his big, physical frame to his advantage on the glass and in the painted area on the defensive end, he showed a pure stroke from behind the arc, knocking down quite a few jumpers. After the defense started to close out on his perimeter catches, he showed that he can put the ball on the floor and get to the bucket as well. A player who can score in a multitude of ways, control the glass, and protect the paint, Bracker had a huge day in Des Moines.
Smith is a very intriguing prospect for small schools in the state to be monitoring. He’s a legitimate 6-6/6-7 and has the ability to impact the game in every way. He has the length, quickness, and athleticism to defend out on the perimeter or protect the paint. He has the court vision, instincts, and passing touch to play a point-forward role. And he has the stroke to stretch the floor, or the handle to take bigger defenders off the dribble and get to the bucket. A player with his type of versatility, size, and length to utilize on both ends of the floor is the definition of a game changer.