2025 Rankings Update: Top 10 Newcomer Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(13) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highest ranked newcomer is the son of new Drake head coach Ben McCollum. Peyton (pictured) comes to Waukee Northwest from Maryville (MO), where he scored more than 1,000 points in his first three years. He's a high IQ, versatile weapon on the offensive end who can score in bunches from all three levels with a feathery stroke and quick release, and he's also adept as a playmaker with the ball in his hands, getting his teammates involved and putting them in the right spots. He'll be a big-time player for one of 4A's best teams this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(133) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2511598' first='Tenerick' last='Brady'] (Davenport North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady is an athletic 5-10 guard who can score from all three levels, creating off the dribble and playing downhill, or knocking down shots from distance off the catch or dribble. He shot just under 40% from behind the arc as a junior, and his speed, handles, and toughness make him difficult to slow down when he's playing downhill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(146) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2511501' first='Coen' last='Matson'] (Humboldt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 lead guard, Matson stuffed the stat sheet as a junior for the Wildcats, averaging 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 stelas on impressive 49-44-84 shooting splits. He's a quick, heady guard who puts his teammates in good spots and he shoots it really well off both the dribble and the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(157) CG [player_tooltip player_id='2511484' first='Luke' last='Welbes'] (Wahlert Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 playmaker, Welbes averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game as a junior for the Golden Eagles. He's at his best when he's playing downhill and looking to attack the rim off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(174) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2511490' first='Seth' last='Ours'] (Hillcrest Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ours had a fantastic junior year for the Ravens, establishing himself as one of the best pure shooting threats in the state, knocking down 49.3% of his 3-point attempts while averaging 16.1 points per game. He has a quick release, moves well without the ball in his hands, and shoots it really well both off the dribble and the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(184) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2511630' first='Naszir' last='Lamar'] (Des Moines North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamar is small, listed at 5-8 as a junior, but he's a quick guard who uses his speed to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He can attack effectively off the dribble and he's a pest on the defensive end who averaged 2.7 steals a game last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(213) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2511532' first='Carson' last='Baak'] (Emmetsburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 guard who does a little bit of everything for the E-Hawks, Baak averaged 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals a game as a junior. He doesn't shoot it from deep often, but he's extremely effective when he does, shooting over 44% from behind the arc last season. He does a great job protecting the ball, posting a 3.17 assist-to-turnover ratio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(214) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2511473' first='Nathan' last='Miller'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller breaks into the rankings following a strong weekend at the Winterset Shootout in June. He appeared in just 13 games last season for the 3A runner-up Go-Hawks, but he'll be asked to step into a starting role as the team's top ball-handler and playmaker as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(219) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2425891' first='Ben' last='Belew'] (Don Bosco)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong and athletic 6-2 guard who is most effective when he's playing downhill and attacking, Belew is also great on the glass, averaging 7.5 rebounds a game as a junior to go with 12.5 points and 3.0 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(221) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2511610' first='Matthew' last='Elbert'] (Central Lyon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elbert is a smart lead guard who is an extension of the coach on the floor, initiating the offense and directing traffic. He dished out 5.2 assists a game as a junior and posted a nearly 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio while having the ball in his hands a ton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->