2027 Rankings Update: Newcomer Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(25) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530483' first='Hunter' last='Runchey'] (Centennial)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runchey is the highest ranked player making his debut, coming off a solid summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United'] in which he showcased his ability to score from all three levels and play with the ball in his hands as a shot creator for himself and his teammates. He finishes well through contact around the rim, can shoot it off the dribble and the catch, and keeps the ball moving on the offensive end. He has solid size and length that he uses to impact the game on the defensive end as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(39) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger son of new Drake head coach Ben McCollum, Tate is small, listed at 5-8, but he's a quick, high IQ guard who can create plays off the dribble for his teammates. He sees the floor really well, is a skilled ball-handler and passer, and can knock down shots off the dribble and the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(62) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530795' first='JaeLynn' last='Watson'] (Davenport Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick, athletic guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim, Watson had some solid games throughout the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'] as a big scorer and solid on-ball defender. He could make a big impact for the Blue Devils as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(64) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530481' first='Yiarh' last='Gonzales'] (Southeast Polk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gonzales is an impressive athlete, a 6-2 wing with length and an explosive first step that he uses to blow by defenders and get to the rim, where he's a strong finisher through contact. While he's at his best when he's attacking the rim, he's also capable of knocking down shots from 3-point range off the dribble and the catch. He gets up into passing lanes on the defensive end, using his length effectively, and he moves his feet well on that end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(79) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530477' first='Max' last='Johnson'] (Southeast Polk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a knockdown shooter who moves really well without the ball in his hands. He has a fast release off the catch and can really stretch the floor with his shooting. He's also a capable ball-handler and playmaker who can provide some secondary playmaking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(80) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2370429' first='Peter' last='Wedewer'] (Wahlert Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wedewer (pictured) is a high IQ guard who loves to get his teammates involved on the offensive end. He's a really good ball-handler and facilitator who can create plays off the bounce for his teammates, and he has a nice floater game that he uses to finish over bigger defenders in the paint. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and has quick hands that he uses to pick opposing ball handlers clean. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(84) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530473' first='Qhjuan' last='Coley'] (Newton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coley is a strong, athletic guard who loves to attack the rim and play downhill, both as a scorer and a facilitator. He uses his quickness and handles to blow by defenders, and his strong upper body to finish through contact well. He rebounds well on both ends of the floor and is a solid on-ball defender who moves his feet well laterally. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(90) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2530657' first='Landen' last='Moulds'] (Wapsie Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-2 athletic guard, Moulds showed some potential as a freshman for the Warriors as a versatile scorer and playmaker on the perimeter. He has good size and length, allowing him to impact the game on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(93) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2381212' first='Jonny' last='Kading'] (ACGC)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kading didn't get much varsity run as a freshman for the Chargers, but should be a key piece for them this season, whether that's in the starting lineup, or coming off the bench to provide some scoring spark and ball handling. He's a good passer who sees the floor well and keeps the ball moving on that end of the floor, and he shoots it well off both the dribble and the catch. A coach's son who understands the game at a high level, he does a nice job running the offense and knowing where to be defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(94) SG [player_tooltip player_id='2381202' first='Boden' last='Kane'] (Center Point-Urbana)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kane is a scrappy guard who does a little bit of everything on the floor for the Stormin' Pointers. He can play the role of primary scorer or facilitator, and he has shown a willingness to post up smaller defenders and invert the offense a bit. He's a good ball-handler and passer who should step into a significant role as a sophomore for CPU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(97) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2381214' first='Liam' last='Steege'] (Sumner-Fredericksburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 guard who can create plays off the dribble for his teammates and get to the rim himself, Steege was a solid contributor for the Cougars as a freshman and should take a major jump as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(98) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2385549' first='Griffin' last='Uhlenhopp'] (Osage)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uhlenhopp came off the bench to provide some scoring and playmaking for the Green Devils as a freshman and he should step into the starting five as a sophomore. He's a capable shooter from 3-point range, but he's better when he's getting into the mid-range, an area where he really knows where he excels and how to get there off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(99) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2530654' first='Davis' last='Tokheim'] (Des Moines Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tokheim showed some nice potential at the Winterset Shootout in June with DMC. He's a really fast, downhill guard who loves to attack the rim, and he has great body control around the bucket. He sees the floor and is a willing passer, and he's a strong on-ball defender who moves extremely well side-to-side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(100) PG [player_tooltip player_id='2530660' first='Gavin' last='Gerritson'] (West Sioux)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 guard, Gerritson led the Falcons in scoring as a freshman, putting up 11.8 points and 2.6 assists a game while being the team's focal point on the offensive end. If he can add some more consistency to his jumper, he could turn into a 20-point scorer in a hurry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->