MVC/CIML Showdown: Top 2026/2027 Performers
In this article:
2027 SG Mack Heitland (Waukee Northwest) Heitland (pictured) is a 6-0 off-ball guard with a quick release and plenty of range on his jumper. He has good footwork and does a nice job getting his feet set and squared, ready…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading2027 SG Mack Heitland (Waukee Northwest)
Heitland (pictured) is a 6-0 off-ball guard with a quick release and plenty of range on his jumper. He has good footwork and does a nice job getting his feet set and squared, ready to fire on the catch. He has a pure, quick release, and showed a willingness to compete on the glass on both ends of the floor. He finished with 6 points and a pair of rebounds in Northwest’s blowout win over Liberty, but was more impressive than that stat line would indicate.
2026 PF Landon Davis Landon Davis 6'8" | PF Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA (Waukee Northwest)
An intriguing young prospect with good size and length at 6-7, Davis has stepped into the starting lineup lately for the Wolves and been productive on both ends of the floor. He rotates well and is a good rim protector with great timing and instincts as a shot blocker. He runs the floor hard, sees the court well and is a willing passer, and he finishes well at the rim with either hand. He has a solid mid-range game with soft touch and good rotation on his shot. He had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks in the Wolves’ win against Liberty.
2026 SG Rio Aguirre Rio Aguirre 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2026 State IA (Ankeny)
A 6-1 wing who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Aguirre is a smooth all-around offensive weapon with a quick release off the catch, great off-ball movement, and unlimited range. He shoots it really well off the catch, knocking down a pair of quick catch-and-shoot 3s in rhythm, and he’s a good enough, physical enough athlete to compete on the glass on both ends of the floor. He had 12 points on 5-8 shooting (2-4 3P) to go with 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the Hawks’ win over Bettendorf.
2026 CG Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG Assumption | 2026 State IA (Assumption)
Shabazz is the best sophomore in the state, and he looked every bit that part of it against Cedar Falls, scoring 25 points to go with 8 rebounds and 3 assists. A tough, athletic guard with good size and the ability to change directions without losing any speed, he can get to the rim at will both in the halfcourt and in transition. He has a good mid-range game and knows how to get to his spots, and he went 2-4 from behind the arc as well, showing plenty of confidence in his jumper. Defensively he has great length and instincts, and is the type of athlete who can quickly turn defense into offense and finish above the rim with authority.
2026 PF William Gerdes William Gerdes 6'8" | PF Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA (Cedar Falls)
Gerdes didn’t have the biggest statistical performance of the day by any means, finishing with 8 points, 2 rebounds, an assist, and a block, but it’s clear in watching him that he’s very deserving of the high ranking that he possesses. He’s a legit 6-8 with soft hands, great footwork and touch around the rim, and he has the capability of stepping out and occasionally stretching the floor as well. He’s a mobile, switchable big who runs the floor hard, rotates well on the defensive end, and has good timing as a shot blocker. As he continues to add strength to his frame, and continue working to extend his range with consistency, the sky is the limit on how good he can be down the road.
2026 SG Jayden McGregory Jayden McGregory 6'1" | PG Valley | 2026 State IA (Valley)
The transfer from Des Moines North has been a welcome addition at Valley, fitting in seamlessly with the rest of the roster. He’s an athletic wing who can play downhill and get to the rim, and he’s also a skilled passer who sees the floor well and does a good job passing into his teammate’s shooting pockets so they are ready to fire on the catch. He can defend multiple positions with his combination of speed, toughness, and length. He finished with 11 points and 3 rebounds in Valley’s win over Linn-Mar.
2026 PF Evan Jacobson Evan Jacobson 6'7" | C Waukee | 2026 State IA (Waukee)
Like Gerdes, Jacobson didn’t have a huge statistical game (2 points, 8 rebounds), but you can see the upside in the 6-6/6-7 forward. He’s a long, athletic, mobile big man who runs the floor, competes hard on the glass on both ends of the floor, and he provides some real value as a shot blocker and interior rim protector. His offensive game is still a work in progress, and Waukee as a whole struggled to find much success against Kennedy’s swarming defense, but there was enough there from Jacobson to see his long-term potential.