2024 Rankings Update: Newcomer Guards
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(201) Landon Welp Landon Welp 5'11" | PG Algona | 2024 State IA | PG | Algona Welp is a prototypical, throwback point guard, the type of player you used to think about when you heard the term “point guard”.…
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Continue Reading(201) Landon Welp Landon Welp 5'11" | PG Algona | 2024 State IA | PG | Algona
Welp is a prototypical, throwback point guard, the type of player you used to think about when you heard the term “point guard”. He’s not much of a scorer (4.7 points per game), rather looking to get his teammates involved at a high clip and protect the ball. He dished out 5.3 assists a game last season and posted a 2.82 assist-to-turnover ratio. He handles it well, is a great passer, and is a really good on-ball defender.
(215) Preston Daedlow Preston Daedlow 5'8" | PG Tipton | 2024 State IA | PG | Tipton
Daedlow is a small but quick guard who can create looks for his teammates or shoot it off the dribble. He does a great job using his combination of ball-handling, quickness, and footwork to create a tiny additional bit of space to get his shot off, and he knocked down nearly 35% of his 3-point attempts last season.
(219) Kannon Still Kannon Still 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2024 State IA | PG | Marquette Catholic
Still (pictured) is a good team defender who moves his feet really well when defending on the ball, and he communicates well defending off of it. On the offensive end, he’s a good ball-handler and passer, and a really good shooter off the catch who knocked down 37% from deep last season.
(223) Carlos Kirui Carlos Kirui 6'0" | CG Waukee | 2024 State IA | CG | Waukee
A quick-twitch guard with good handles and a quick first step, Kirui can blow by defenders and get into the teeth of the defense where he’s a threat to score or find an open teammate. He’s a solid on-ball defender with good feet and quick hands. After barely playing on a loaded Waukee team last season, he should be a significant contributor this season.
(233) Lance Bunde | SG | ACGC
A 6-1 wing who does a good job using his length to make an impact on the defensive end, Bunde averaged 12.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals a game as a junior for the Chargers with 43-37-67 shooting splits. He’s a good shooter off the catch and a capable playmaker who sees the floor hand handles it well.
(239) Jhikeith Mcgraw Jhikeith Mcgraw 6'1" | SG Prince Of Peace | 2024 State IA | SG | Prince of Peace
An athletic 6-2 slashing guard, McGraw is at his best when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim. He’s a capable shooter from the arc, but he certainly prefers to use his quickness and physicality to get to the bucket. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game as a junior for the Irish last season and shot nearly 46% from the floor.
(243) Maddox Hammerstrom Maddox Hammerstrom 6'0" | CG Panorama | 2024 State IA | CG | Panorama
Hammerstrom was sensational as a junior for the Panthers, averaging 14.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists a game, leading the team in every category. He’s a tough, physical guard who sees the floor well, gets his teammates involved, and is really good on the glass. He turns it over a little too much, but with how much he’s asked to do for his team, it’s understandable.
(244) Nolan Grebin Nolan Grebin 5'10" | PG Stanton | 2024 State IA | PG | Stanton
Grebin scored in bunches last season for the Vikings, putting up 16.8 points a game. He’s a quick guard who plays downhill and gets to the rim, and he has a solid mid-range game as well. In addition to his scoring, he dished out 3.3 assists a game.
(246) Landon Osberg Landon Osberg 5'11" | SG West Central Valley | 2024 State IA | SG | West Central Valley
A 5-11 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Osberg was a scoring machine for the Wildcats as a junior, averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game. He’s a good enough shooting threat that it needs to be respected, but he’s best when he’s getting to the rim for finishes.