Class 4A: Top 10 Returning Rebounders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381403' first='Creighton' last='Bracker'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln) -- 10.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-7 forward with soft hands and a big, physical frame that he loves to use, Bracker does a great job making strong contact on his box outs and carving out space to pull down boards on both ends of the floor. He averaged 3.3 offensive rebounds a game as a junior, helping contribute to his nearly 15 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee) -- 9.5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hyper-athletic and skilled 6-7 forward, Jacobson is one of the most highly sought-after tight end recruits in the country, holding nearly two dozen offers, including one from Ohio State. Many of the same attributes that make him an elite tight end prospect make him a high-level basketball player as well, especially on the glass. He averaged 12.9 points to go with his prowess on the glass as a sophomore for the Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (Linn-Mar) -- 8.9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-8/6-9 big man with good size, length, and soft hands, Kern is not only a great rebounder on both ends of the floor, but he's also a good enough ball-handler and playmaker to lead the break after pulling down a defensive board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1540183' first='Manasse' last='Kasongo Malu'] (Sioux City East) -- 8.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kasongo-Malu may have one of the highest upsides of any player in Iowa's loaded 2025 class, a testament to the raw athleticism, size, and length that he possesses. While he's still putting everything together, he was really good as a junior for the Black Raiders, averaging 10.5 points on nearly 66% shooting to go with his dynamism on the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951797' first='Trae' last='Brown'] (Ottumwa) -- 8.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a perimeter-oriented player, but that doesn't stop him from being fantastic on the glass, leading the Bulldogs in boards as a junior and contributing in a big way on both ends of the floor. He averaged 2.5 offensive rebounds a game last season, using his explosive athleticism and physical 6-4 frame to dominate the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381413' first='Jahlil' last='Manago'] (Waterloo West) -- 7.8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being a guard, Manago is one of the best rebounders in the class, using his explosive athleticism and IQ to put himself in the right spots and elevate above opposing players to snatch boards out of the air. He's great on the glass on both ends of the floor, averaging 2.4 offensive boards a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley) -- 7.5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Northern Iowa commit, Jirak is one of the most skilled big men in the state. He has soft hands and uses his size effectively on the glass, pulling down boards from in and outside of his area. He's also a skilled enough ball-handler and playmaker to lead the break after pulling down a defensive rebound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (Iowa City West) -- 6.7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Butler wing uses his 6-8 frame, length, and positioning to control the glass on both ends of the floor. Like many of the others on this list, he's a good enough playmaker to lead the break off of a defensive board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511461' first='Derek' last='Willmott'] (Indianola) -- 6.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Willmott, a 6-7 forward, had a solid year for the Indians as a junior while leading one of the state's youngest teams. He's a talented big man who runs the floor well and he has a non-stop motor that he uses to compete on the glass on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2025 Damarius Parker (Des Moines Lincoln) -- 6.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being listed at just 5-11, Parker is a menace on the glass, using his explosive athleticism to sky over bigger players and pull down boards seemingly out of nowhere. In addition to leading the Railsplitters in rebounding, he also led the team in scoring (10.6), assists (1.5), and steals (1.4).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->