2023 Rankings Update: 10 Stock Risers

SF Padraig Gallagher Padraig Gallagher 6'5" | SF Beckman Catholic | 2023 State IA (Beckman Catholic)
The move: 12 to 8

A skilled 6-5 wing who has always been one of the elite scorers in the 2023 class, Gallagher makes the move up into the top 10 of the class on the strength of his improved ball-handling and playmaking. He has always had the ability to move off the ball and score in bunches as a catch-and-shoot wing, but he has really improved as a ball-handler and shot-creator, not just for himself, but for his teammates as well. He’s a high IQ player who impacts the game on both ends. Gallagher has committed to play his college ball at Division II powerhouse Northwest Missouri State

PG Brayden Dinkla Brayden Dinkla 6'0" | PG Winterset | 2023 State IA (Winterset)
The move: 37 to 25

Dinkla is scrappy, tough, and loves the big moment. He’s one of the best pure point guards in the state, a player who likes to get his teammates involved first and foremost, but also someone who will put constant pressure on opposing defenses with his ability to break down the defense and get into the painted area seemingly at will. He’s an active defender with quick feet and hands.

PG Garrett Hempen Garrett Hempen 6'1" | PG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2023 State IA (Aplington-Parkersburg)
The move: 39 to 29

A high IQ, efficient scoring lead guard, Hempen is equally adept as a scorer or facilitator, and he’ll do whatever is asked of him on both ends of the floor. He handles it well and gets others involved at a high clip, limiting turnovers. He’s a knockdown shooter (43.6 3P%) who can play with or without the ball in his hands and will be a really good player for whichever school comes in and snags him late in the process.

SG Prince Jallah Prince Jallah 6'1" | SG Marshalltown | 2023 State IA (Marshalltown)
The move: 45 to 35

Jallah is a hyper-athletic 6-1 wing who attacks the rim relentlessly on the offensive end of the floor, which has led to him shooting nearly 67% from the floor while averaging over 15 points a game. He has good length and a solid frame to continue adding strength to, has shown some flashes as a playmaker, and can provide some versatility on the defensive end. He’s an intriguing prospect with a lot of potential.

SF Jaxson Fried Jaxson Fried 6'6" | SF Bondurant- Farrar | 2023 State IA (Bondurant-Farrar)
The move: 86 to 37

A 6-6 wing (pictured) who was probably a bit underanked in the last update, Fried makes a major leap up in this installment. With his combination of size, length, and perimeter scoring punch, he’s a very intriguing prospect for small schools around the state and the Midwest. He isn’t shooting it really well right now from 3, but he’s a better shooter than his current percentages show, and he has the ability to create shots for himself and others. He’ll also provide a bit of defensive versatility with his size and length.

CG Jack Wagemester Jack Wagemester 6'1" | SG Prairie | 2023 State IA (Prairie)
The move: 51 to 40

Wagemester’s numbers this year, particularly shooting, aren’t great, but he’s still a prospect that I’m high on because of his IQ, size, and ability to pass and defend. He’s listed at 6-2, but his wingspan is probably approaching 6-6, and he’s an incredibly smart player who understands all of the little nuances of the game. On a Prairie team that lost a lot of production to graduation, he’s been thrust into a role that doesn’t really suit his style of play as well, but the son of former Kirkwood coach Doug Wagemester will be an impact player at the next level.

SF Merquiche Lewis Jr (Burlington)
The move: 71 to 45

A dynamic scorer on the wing, Lewis is averaging 25.3 points and 8.3 rebounds a game as a senior for the Grayhounds, and his strong play has elevated him into the top 50 of the class. He’s a good athlete who can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim seemingly at will within the halfcourt, and he has improved as a shooter. He’s not a knockdown, elite shooter from deep, but he has developed his shot enough that it can be used as a weapon that needs to be respected, which makes his dribble penetration more dangerous as opponents need to close out on him.

SG Luke Korver Luke Korver 6'1" | SG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2023 State IA (MOC-Floyd Valley)
The move: 79 to 46

Korver is an ELITE shooter who moves really well without the ball in his hands and absolutely torches teams routinely from the arc. He has knocked down 56.5% of his 3-point attempts so far this season on 62 attempts, and you can never have too much shooting. In addition to his elite shooting ability, he has shown improved ball-handling and playmaking this season, dishing out a team-high 3.8 assists a game.

SF Jensen Wedeking Jensen Wedeking 6'3" | SF Bellevue | 2023 State IA (Bellevue)
The move: 91 to 47

Another player who has improved as a playmaker is Wedeking, who is coming off a 12-assist showing that we were able to watch live, a game that he dominated without scoring. He’s an athletic 6-3 wing who can handle it, score from all three levels, defend on the perimeter, and he has really improved as a passer.

SG Cooper Randall Cooper Randall 6'4" | SG Waukee | 2023 State IA (Waukee)
The move: 138 to 54

Randall is one of the more under-the-radar players in the state, playing on a team with the best player in the state and a number of other talented options, but he has shown throughout the early season that he has a knack for knocking down huge shots (37.8 3P%) and playing strong on-ball defense. He’s a long, 6-4 wing who uses his length effectively on the defensive end and moves well without the ball offensively. He’s a deadly catch-and-shoot wing who has committed to play at Truman State.