The Playoffs: The Hottest Prospects That Got Us Here
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There are four particular prospects that stood out either during the season, the final weeks of the season, what college programs are now saying, or the one who is who we thought he was. They are the hottest players in…
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Continue ReadingThere are four particular prospects that stood out either during the season, the final weeks of the season, what college programs are now saying, or the one who is who we thought he was. They are the hottest players in the state. All for very different reasons. In some cases, it is about the production, in some cases it’s the info around those numbers, but it’s all the story that unfolded that brought us to this point: the high school tournament.
Kai Rogers | 6’10” | C | 2025 | Wauwatosa WestrnKai Rogers is on the list of hottest players and in this article because from start to finish, there is no other hotter prospect in the state.
During the time of the ending of the last AAU season to the starting of this high school there was probably no hotter prospect than Rogers. He entered the season with ten high major offers, plus a couple of unofficial visits on top of those. He had gone to see Marquette, Valparaiso, and Notre Dame. During the season he went to Michigan State and Iowa State along with repeated trips to Wisconsin
During the season we, as fans & scouts, could see vast improvement in the skills department. His post work along with his footwork improved. His scoring average kept increasing as the Trojans went through their 17-7 season. He averaged a double double in points and rebounding. When their offense allowed for it and moved him around the paint, we could see glimpses of spectacular play, as well as, a few thrilling passes. He even had games of double-digit blocks. But most important area of improvement for his team was the ability to stay out of foul trouble.
Riding an eleven game in conference win streak, Kai was a big part in assuring his high school won at least a share of their first conference title in its 60 plus year history. The last two conference games Kai recorded games of 27 & 32 points.
Being only sophomore there will be no one with more focus on him in the next two years.
Season numbers: 15.8ppg, 10.3reb, 3.1apg, 3 blocks
Jack Daugherty | 6’7″ | W | 2024 | Brookfield CentralrnJack is on the list and in this article because coming down the stretch there is no hotter player in the state, in at least what college programs believe, than the sharpshooter in Brookfield.
At the start of the season Daugherty was coming off a solid AAU season but a bit of a tough fall league. One could see what his game plan was though. Take over for the departed Andrew Rohde, use his dribble drive more effectively, then rely on his outside shot.
Central started the season on a role and lead the conference early. Then came the Tosa West game where Jack exploded for 40+ points. Some big names were in the stands for that game. They were there to watch the stars of Tosa West. Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, plus others were all in the stands and all came away impressed, of what the potential could hold for this prospect. In that game Jack shot very well in the first half from deep, with a liked size player defending him. Then for part of the game, Tosa put a smaller wing player on him, who could not stop the two-dribble spin move to the hoop. It wasn’t until a stronger more athletic player stepped up that Jack cooled off. But too little too late. It was a very good showing for Jack, and everyone was wondering what the heck they just saw.
As the season started to close down Daugherty’s recruitment started to heat up from low majors and mid-majors off of the tape from that game. He received offers from Cal Poly, Robert Morris, St Thomas (MN), Toledo, Richmond, Sothern Illinois, Indiana St, UW-Milwaukee, Ball State all in 2023 and they went along with the offer before the season from Illinois State.
Jack, like every prospect in high school is an unfinished player, who needs to work on his athleticism & strength. The word on how to defend was always to get physical on him and stay up on him with an athletic wing. During this season you could really see the prospect work to get through that label and to start being physical himself. This happened especially on the offensive end. As he gets stronger, he might just get quicker, to get around those that are crowding him. Either way he still has an ability that everyone is looking for – a bigger player that can shoot and spread the floor. On the shooting note, JD shot mostly at a 50% clip from deep for a big part of the season, but as the season wore on, he finished at 43.5%.
Season Numbers: 17.6ppg, 8reb., 2apg. 43.5% from deep.
Nic Janowski | 6’3″ | CG | 2024 | PewaukeernNic is on the list for hot players and in this article because he is who we all thought he was all along. Janowski is a tough competitor and along with his teammates, from the superior program of Pewaukee, a two-time defending state champ.
Nic missed some early season games due to a lower leg injury. While the state experience some really amazing play and stories early, Nic had to sit and heal.
But once he came back, we saw the competitor, who has that incredible moxy. Also, he might be the most confident player on the parameter, then any other prospect in the state.
Janowski, while on the court, looks like a winner and high major player at every turn. The high-level IQ and the impact (not just in numbers) on a game is evident each he steps on the court. He is a very efficient player, shooting at a 56% clip from the field and a 44% from the arc. Even though he has played in 12 more games per season, in each of the previous two, he is now posting his highest rebounding numbers, coming in at 7 per, which is up from 4.1 over prior. This is also true in the assist column, where he averaged at best, a 2.5 per game, he has now improved that mark to 4.8 per contest.
Nic has improved in most areas of his game and until some team knocks out the champ, him and his teammates might just 3-peat.
Season Numbers: 24.3ppg, 7rpg, 4.1apg – 56% shooting, 44% 3 point. (18 contests)