Class 4A Stars to Watch (Part 1)
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Caden Wilkins IA #3 SF #1 HEIGHT 6'7" POS SF CLASS 2024 View Profile Caden Wilkins Instagram Twitter State: Iowa School: Bettendorf Club: Iowa Barnstormers The top ranked player in the 2024 class, Wilkins is a dominant three-level scorer with…
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Continue ReadingThe top ranked player in the 2024 class, Wilkins is a dominant three-level scorer with a frame that looks ready to compete at the college level now. He’s a strong wing who can put the ball on the floor and get to the bucket, knock down shots off the dribble, and create for his teammates. He can be, at times, a streaky shooter, but when he gets it rolling, he’s really tough to slow down. In addition to his scoring and playmaking, he’s great on the glass and provides some versatility on the defensive end. He averaged 19.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game as a junior for the Bulldogs.
Courbat is a high-upside forward with eye-popping athleticism and great size at 6-8. He’s an explosive leaper and dominant rim protector who blocked 2.6 shots a game as a junior for the Tigers in addition to 12.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen on both ends of the floor.
One of the most efficient scorers in the state, Born is coming off a junior year in which he averaged 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 51-40-84 shooting splits. He has good size as a lead guard at about 6-3, and he uses that size to his advantage, scoring over smaller defenders by taking them onto the block. He has committed to play his college ball at Northern Iowa.
A tough, physical lead guard who uses his toughness and size to his advantage on both ends of the floor, Stinson is among the best two-way players in the state. He has a tremendous feel for the game and great court vision and passing instincts. He plays with pace and is fantastic at finishing through contact at the rim. He averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a game as a sophomore for the state champion Tigers, and currently holds offers from Iowa State, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Robinson may be the best athlete in the state, a dominant football player and a standout on the hardwood as well, as anyone who watched Valley at the state tournament last year could see. He’s an explosive athlete who finishes above the rim with ease despite being listed at 5-10/5-11, and his speed is a major asset on both ends of the floor. He averaged 12.6 pints, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals a game as a sophomore. He missed the football season with a shoulder injury, and we aren’t sure if he will be healthy for basketball season, but if he is, it’s hard to see anyone dethroning the Tigers.
The top ranked player in the 2025 class, McCaffery just keeps getting better. He’s coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.9 blocks, showing his ability to protect the rim and stretch the floor. At 6-8/6-9, he has great size and a feathery stroke with range well beyond the 3-point line, and he’s an instinctual defender who rotates well and protects the bucket. His ball-handling has improved in a major way over the last year, and when you pair that with his footwork and touch on the block, his size and ability to shoot it, and his defensive prowess, you have a nationally ranked prospect.
Cavil is one of the best pure scorers in the state, a magician with the ball in his hands who can get to his spots whenever he wants with his combination of speed, toughness, and ball handling. He has the ball on a string and pairs that with great footwork to create additional space to get his shot off. His stroke from deep is a bit inconsistent, but he’s great in the mid-range and is a good finisher around the rim. In addition to his scoring, however, he’s also one of the best passers in the state, pairing great court vision with some creativity to post some highlight helpers on a nightly basis. He averaged 21.1 points and 6.3 assists a game at Des Moines Lincoln last season, and has transferred to Johnston for his senior year.
Phillips is another high-upside player who may just be scratching the surface of his potential, which is a scary proposition considering how productive he was last year, averaging 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game. He’s a long, athletic wing at 6-7 who can handle it, create for his teammates, defend multiple positions, and knock down shots off the dribble or the catch.
Winkel has been on a steady upward trajectory over the last two years, improving himself as much as just about anyone in the 2024 class. A skilled lead guard who can absolutely take over games as a scorer in the blink of an eye, he thrives when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim, using his toughness to finish through contact. He’s also a gifted passer with a great feel for the game, and he has a sense of when he needs to take over as a scorer, or when he needs to let the game come to him and get his teammates involved. He averaged 16.8 points and 4.9 assists a game as a junior for the Jaguars.
Highlights
Few players in the state had a better spring and summer than Williams did with the Iowa Mavs , where he was routinely one of the best players on the floor. An athletic 6-5/6-6 forward who had previously done most of his damage off of offensive rebounds or passes to him around the rim, he showed an impressive face-up game throughout the grassroots season, including a smooth stroke from the arc and the ability to attack off the dribble. He has a great second jump that he uses to snatch rebounds out of nowhere, and with his improved jumper will be a major asset for the Rams this season, helping space the floor. He averaged 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a game as a junior.