Prep Hoops BatL: Iowa United 16U Evals
In this article:
I unfortunately wasn’t able to make it up to Minneapolis for my usual Battle at the Lakes trip, but thanks to the streaming options on BallerTV, I was able to check out each of the Iowa teams in attendance this…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI unfortunately wasn’t able to make it up to Minneapolis for my usual Battle at the Lakes trip, but thanks to the streaming options on BallerTV, I was able to check out each of the Iowa teams in attendance this weekend. In this article, I take a look at the players from Iowa United 16U, from their game against MN Swish.
A big wing who can defend a few different positions, Schulte isn’t asked to do a ton offensively with this group, but he does a good job moving without the ball in his hands, showing good awareness on the offensive end and cutting to the bucket when his defender falls asleep, getting easy looks at the rim. He competes on the glass on both ends of the floor, using his solid frame to bang with bigger bodies near the bucket, and using his good lateral movement to stick with smaller players on the perimeter.
Highlights
Hoben showcased good footwork on his dribble-drives, including a really nice spin move into a solid finish at the bucket. He also showed a willingness to post up smaller defenders, using his bigger frame to score over them with good footwork and nice touch on a fadeaway jumper on the baseline. He’s another player who is willing to stick his nose in and compete on the glass on both ends of the floor, and while he didn’t knock down any shots from deep in this game, the form on his jumper is good and he gets good rotation on his shot.
Badding was huge for United in this one, making a few massive shots down the stretch. The first to tie the game late, and the second to give them the lead. A dynamic off-ball guard who can really shoot it off the catch, he finished with 16 points and did a nice job using the threat of his jumper to get to the rim, attacking overly aggressive closeouts and getting to the bucket for a few finishes. He’s the type of player who won’t shy away from a big shot, as he showed, wanting the ball to find him late. He’s one of the best pure shooters in the state, and he showed it in this one, knocking down four big 3-pointers.
McGuire was great in the second half for United, scoring all 10 of his points after the break. He’s a long, athletic wing who can attack the rim off the dribble, showcasing good handles and footwork that he uses to get by defenders. He can absorb contact at the rim and finish through it, and he has a non-stop motor on the glass on both ends of the floor. Like Hoben, he showed a willingness to post up smaller or weaker defenders and bully them with his footwork and touch around the rim.
Highlights
Scharnberg only had 2 points in the narrow win, but he made some big plays on both ends of the floor throughout. He’s a good ball-handler who sees the floor well, finding cutting teammates for easy looks and getting the pass right in the spot it needs to be to allow his teammate to get the shot up quickly. He showed good touch around the rim with an impressive finish high off the glass over a good rim protecting big, and he competed on the defensive end throughout the game.
Highlights
McGregory is a big wing, a great athlete who can provide some versatility on both ends of the floor. He has the strength to battle against bigger bodies in the paint, and the length, lateral quickness, and athleticism to defend on the perimeter at a high level. He showed more confidence in his jumper, knocking down a pair of 3s off the catch, and another nice mid-range jumper off the dribble, but he’s still at his best when he’s getting a head of steam and playing downhill, using his strength to finish through contact. He had 11 points in the win.
Highlights
Roach may have been the most impressive player of the bunch for United, playing extremely well on both ends of the floor. He’s a really good on-ball defender with quick hands and feet that he uses to make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers, and he uses his speed to his advantage on the offensive end as well, playing downhill and getting to the rim both in transition and in the halfcourt. He handles the ball really well and is an adept passer with good court vision and awareness of his surroundings. He has a nice array of moves that he uses to get by defenders, including a beautiful hesitation move that he used to briefly freeze his man and blow by him for a finish. Rumor has it that Roach is transferring from Oskaloosa, but I’m not sure if that has been finalized yet, so I’m not saying where to – but he will provide his new school with a dynamic playmaking guard on both ends of the floor. He will most certainly be making a significant jump up the rankings when they are updated again at the end of the summer.
Highlights
Davis is probably the best long-term prospect on this roster, a big, mobile 6-8/6-9 forward who runs the floor hard, can protect the rim defensively, and potentially develop into a viable stretch-4 option with more repetition. He showed good form on his jumper, getting nice rotation and keeping his elbow in tight, and if he’s able to turn himself into a 38-39% 3-point shooter, along with the versatility and rim protection he can provide on the defensive end of the floor, watch out. He has good footwork and also showed some ability to handle it, attacking a bigger defender off the dribble and scoring, and occasionally leading the break after pulling down a defensive rebound.