7 Players You Should Watch at State Tournament
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Granted, I’ve not watched a lot of boys prep games in person this winter. It’s just the way my scheduled shook out this year. Fortunately, I saw really good players during my time in gyms. I also viewed as many…
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Continue ReadingGranted, I’ve not watched a lot of boys prep games in person this winter. It’s just the way my scheduled shook out this year.
Fortunately, I saw really good players during my time in gyms. I also viewed as many highlight tapes as I could.
I’m looking forward to watching some of them perform at next week’s state tournament. Overall parity could serve up competitive games with unpredictable results.
I’ll be looking for see guys I’ve yet to watch and see others again. Here are seven guys from the latter group:
Wilkins is a smooth operator. His fluid game is fundamentally sound with a well-rounded skill set. He scores on all three levels, keeps the ball moving if he doesn’t see an advantage and handles the ball well. He brings physicality to the floor with a solid frame and strength, which help him defend and clean the glass. I’m happy to see Wilkins get a chance to play at state in his final high school season. He’s uncommitted with reported offers from Bryant, Eastern Michigan and Indiana State.
Signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes as a linebacker, it’s likely Weisskopf’s final time playing competitive basketball. He’s talented enough to help plenty of college basketball programs. The athleticism he possesses to succeed on the gridiron also shines though on the basketball court. It’s an impressive mix of strength with a balanced skill set. He can score from behind the arc or finish at the rim. He handles the ball and rebounds well with an ability to guard multiple positions.
Martin has been a consistent, multi-year performer for the Regals. He’s played a key role in their turnaround and unexpected (outside their locker room) run to the state tournament. Martin’s game has evolved this season. He’s always been a threat from the outside. This year, he’s used improve strength to finish at the rim, rebound and defend better. He does his damage in the flow of the offense instead of needing a high volume of shots.
I first saw Courbat last high school season. He’s an intriguing prospect with an interesting set of skills. The left-hander is a sneaky-good athlete with explosion. He can score on all three levels. He attacks the rim and sees the floor well. Courbat reports scholarship offers from New Jersey Institute of Technology, North Dakota, Kansas City and Truman State. He’ll be fun to watch at Wells Fargo Arena.
Bean impressed me the first time I watched him at Iowa City West last season. Then, he played at Xavier. This season, he could be the piece Kennedy needs to reach the mountain top. Bean is a power guard, if that makes sense. He’s a back-court performer with physicality on both ends of the court. He leads the Cougars in rebounding , ranks second in scoring and third in assists. He’s a handful.
Highlights
Stinson Jr., the son of the former Iowa State point guard with the same name, might be the state’s top prospect regardless of class. He can score in bunches or load up his teammates. Stinson Jr. is at his best when he gets downhill but also is a threat from deep. He leads the Tigers in scoring, and ranks second in rebounding and assists. He reports scholarship offers from the Cyclones, Missouri and Nebraska.
The Davenport Assumption sophomore recently reported a scholarship offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes. He’d previously picked up opportunities from Iowa State, Siena and Southern Mississippi. He boasts a mature game and plays with excellent pace. He’s a three-level scorer that anticipates well on defense. Shabazz leads the Knights in scoring and assists, while ranking second in rebounding.