2025 Rankings Update: Stock Risers Outside the Top 40

Tony Roe May 23, 2023 @ 12:41 PM

PF [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (Pleasant Valley) The move: 55 to 41   Schmeltzer was a key contributor for the Spartans, who reached the 4A semifinals, and has gotten off to a strong start on both ends of the floor for a really good Quad City Shockers team this spring. He's a big, physical forward who uses his strength to his advantage, powering through contact for buckets and controlling the glass on both ends of the floor. He has really good hands, plays hard on every possession, and uses his physicality to push opposing players off their spots on the defensive end.   SG [player_tooltip player_id='1759908' first='Etienne' last='Higgins'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln) The move: 53 to 44   Higgins averaged 8.6 points a game as a sophomore for the Lynx and is another player off to a strong start for Southwest Iowa Impact. He can create shots for himself and his teammates, and with his size and strength, he's able to get his shot off whenever he wants or get to the rim.   SF [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] (Bettendorf) The move: 68 to 49   Washington has played really well to start the spring with the Barnstormers Gold team. He rebounds extremely well on both ends of the floor and uses his strength to power through contact around the rim. He can occasionally step out and stretch the floor, and the lefty is improving his shot creation.   SG [player_tooltip player_id='1759932' first='Reed' last='Strohmeyer'] (Hempstead) The move: 62 to 51   A 6-2 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Strohmeyer had a productive sophomore season for the Mustangs, averaging a team-high 13.6 points and 2.4 assists. He has good size and is a quality shooter both off the dribble and the catch.   PG [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] (West Lyon) The move: 71 to 61   Hoogeveen is fairly small, a 5-9/5-10 point guard, but he's a high IQ, impact player on both ends of the floor. Coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for a very good West Lyon team, he's off to a great start to his 16U summer with Arena Basketball Club. He sees the floor really well, gets his teammates involved at a high clip, and is a tenacious on-ball defender.   PG [player_tooltip player_id='1381401' first='Christian' last='Baccile'] (Dowling Catholic) The move: 75 to 63   Baccile didn't play any varsity minutes for the Maroons as a sophomore, but Dowling is a notoriously tough school for underclassmen to get varsity run at. Expect him to be a contributor as a junior. He's a 6-0/6-1 lead guard who can get to the bucket, shoot it off the catch, and create shots for his teammates at a high level.   PF [player_tooltip player_id='1440839' first='Joseph' last='Hudson'] (Waterloo West) The move: 93 to 74   The 6-5/6-6 big man wasn't asked to do much scoring on a wing-heavy team last season for the Wahawks, averaging 5.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, but he showed that he can finish around the basket with either hand as well as occasionally stretch the floor. He provides a lot of value as a rebounder and defender.   SF [player_tooltip player_id='1426697' first='Ephraim' last='Hoefert'] (Central Lyon) The move: 94 to 87   Hoefert was a key role player on the 2A champion Lions, knocking down some big 3s throughout the state tournament. At 6-6/6-7, he has great size on the wing, and he's a pure shooter who moves really well without the ball in his hands. He's improving as a playmaking threat and does a good job using his length to contest shots defensively.

PF Max Schmeltzer Max Schmeltzer 6'4" | PF Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA (Pleasant Valley)
The move: 55 to 41