Top 10 College Performers From Wisconsin
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With prospects shifting their allegiances from high school teams to AAU programs in hopes of ultimately earning a college scholarship, let’s look back at the top ten college performers from the state of Wisconsin for the 2022/23 season. Brandin Podziemski…
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Continue ReadingWith prospects shifting their allegiances from high school teams to AAU programs in hopes of ultimately earning a college scholarship, let’s look back at the top ten college performers from the state of Wisconsin for the 2022/23 season.
#1) Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6’6″ | SG Saint John’s Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI – Santa Clara
Ranked 4th in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6’6″ | SG Saint John’s Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI was without a doubt the best college player from the state of Wisconsin this year. As a guard, Brandin lead the West Coast Conference (WCC) in double-doubles in a conference that includes the likes of Gonzaga and St. Mary’s. After doing it all and leading his team with 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals on 43.8% 3P shooting per game, Brandin earned WCC Player of the Year, along with 1st Team All-Conference and Mid Major All-American honors. This comes a year after playing 4.3 minutes per game at Illinois. Brandin is truly one of the most successful transfer portal stories ever and was one of the most efficient and effective players in all of college basketball. He’ll test the NBA Draft waters and is projected to be drafted anywhere from late 1st round to the 2nd round. Expect him on an NBA roster next season.
Highlights
#2) Andrew Rohde Andrew Rohde 6’6″ | SG Brookfield Central | 2022 State WI – St. Thomas
Andrew Rohde Andrew Rohde 6’6″ | SG Brookfield Central | 2022 State WI was one of the most under recruited players in the 2022 high school class. After being ranked 316th in the country as a high school senior, Rohde exploded in his role at St. Thomas and led his team in scoring (17.1 ppg), assists (3.6 apg), and steals (1.7 spg), to go along with 3.7 rpg. After one year with the Tommies, Andrew entered the transfer portal and has heard from Wisconsin, Iowa State, Xavier, Virginia, and Creighton among others. I personally like his fit at Creighton, especially with Ryan Nembhard transferring, but he could team up with his former AAU teammate Seth Trimble at North Carolina. Rohde is definitely a prospect worth keeping an eye on at the NBA level, but his sophomore year will be telling. Rohde earned 1st Team All-Conference, Summit Freshman of the Year, and was named a Kyle Macy Freshman All-American. Statistically, Rohde dominated the Summit Conference and showed off his playmaking and around the rim finishing abilities throughout the year.
Highlights
#3) Marcus Domask – Southern Illinois
From Waupun, Marcus has been a high level contributor all four years and ranks 4th all-time in win shares, 5th in player efficiency, 9th in total points, and 10th in total assists for his career at Southern Illinois. This season, Marcus earned 1st Team All-Conference by way of leading his team in scoring (16.7 ppg), rebounding (5.8 rpg), and assists (3.8 apg). Marcus really embodies the idea of a student-athlete and was named an Academic All-American. He recently entered the transfer portal an has heard from Illinois, Clemson, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Xavier, BYU, and Iowa State. He is set to visit Illinois tomorrow.
#4) Joey Hauser – Michigan State
Love him or hate him, Joey Hauser is #4 on my list. After a stellar 2nd half of the season and NCAA Tournament, there is hope that Hauser has done enough to grab a two-way or exhibit 10 contract at the next level. I think he has what it takes, especially with his sweet shooting stroke, but Hauser can also opt to return to Michigan State for one last ride. Hauser averaged 14.4 points, a team leading 7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game this year on a scorching 46.1% 3P shooting. That was good enough to earn him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Hauser is truly one of the best three-point shooting forwards in all of college basketball. There is a place for him at the next level.
#5) Grant Basile – Virginia Tech
After dominating the last two years at Wright State, the big man from Pewaukee decided it was time to showcase his abilities at the Power 5 level with Virginia Tech. That’s exactly what Grant showcased this year. He averaged a team best 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on 39.1% 3P shooting. The thing I love about Grant is his ability to adapt and improve. He puts in the work and it’s clearly seen on the defensive end, along with his increasing shooting capabilities each season. The Honorable Mention All-Conference player will likely play professional basketball overseas next season.
#6 Jackson Paveletzke Jackson Paveletzke 6’1″ | CG Kimberly | 2022 State WI – Wofford -rn
Another under recruited guard from Wisconsin’s class of 2022. Jackson Paveletzke Jackson Paveletzke 6’1″ | CG Kimberly | 2022 State WI was a star for the Wofford Terriers. As a freshman, Jackson led the team in assists and three-point percentage, along with finishing 2nd in scoring. Jackson averaged 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game on an impressive 39.3% 3P shooting. This was enough to earn Freshman of the Year honors in the SoCon Conference. Jackson impressed this season with his jump-shoot and playmaking capabilities as a PnR ball handler. Jackson entered the transfer portal in hopes to take his talent to a high major program. He’ll have his pickings, as Gonzaga, Arkansas, Clemson, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Virginia, Iowa State, USC, Georgia, and LSU are all calling for his services.
Highlights
#7 David Joplin David Joplin 6’8″ | SF Brookfield | 2021 State #54 Nation WI – Marquette
David Joplin David Joplin 6’8″ | SF Brookfield | 2021 State #54 Nation WI was instrumental in a surprising turnaround season for the Golden Eagles. After dazzling crowds with his three-point shooting, David won 6th Man of the Year honors in the Big East Conference. After shooting just 28.8% from three his freshman year, David reaped the benefits of his hard work and shot 39.9% from distance. This helped Marquette to a program record 29 wins. Against DePaul, David sunk eight three-pointers to put him 4th all-time in single game three-point field goals made by a Marquette player. David averaged 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds this year. The Golden Eagles hope to make a run to the Final Four next year.
#8 Jacob Ognacevic Jacob Ognacevic 6’8″ | PF Sheboygan Lutheran | 2020 State #413 Nation WI – Lipscomb
After spending one year at Valparaiso, Jacob Ognacevic Jacob Ognacevic 6’8″ | PF Sheboygan Lutheran | 2020 State #413 Nation WI really popped in his second season with Lipscomb. The junior averaged a team best 17.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 60.7% FG shooting. Jacob earned 1st Team All-Conference honors in the ASUN and helped Lipscomb to their first 20 win season since 2019 and 4th best season in the last 20 years. Jacob will look to carry Lipscomb to an NCAA Tournament appearance next season.
#9 Kobe King – Valparaiso
In his 5th year of college basketball, Kobe King had his best season yet. Kobe averaged 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He was 2nd in scoring and 3rd in rebounds among Beacons and ranked 7th in the Missouri Valley Conference in points per game. Throughout the season, Kobe made sure to get the crowd pumped up with his slashing dunks. It was a down year for Valparaiso, but Kobe improved his professional basketball stock. He’ll likely head overseas if he chooses to continue his basketball career.
#10 Tyrese Hunter Tyrese Hunter 5’11” | PG Racine St. Catherine’s | 2021 State #63 Nation WI – Texas
In terms of college production, Hunter sits at the #10 spot. If I were ranking this in terms of professional prospects, Hunter would be much higher on my board as he’s only a sophomore and played in a crowded Texas backcourt this past season. Hunter averaged 10.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game with Texas after a stellar, historically freshman year at Iowa State. At Iowa State, Hunter broke the freshman assists, steals, and games started records, even tallying the 2nd most three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game by a Cyclone with 7 against LSU. Hunter will test the NBA Draft waters this year, but will likely be starting for the Longhorns again next year.
Honorable Mention: Kobe Johnson (USC), Keshawn Justice (Santa Clara), Alec Rosner (Western Illinois), Patrick Cartier (Colorado State), and Cade Meyer (UW Green-Bay).