Wisconsin Expo Preview: 5 Things to Watch

The Prep Hoops Wisconsin Expo will take place Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community First Champions Center in Appleton. Junior and senior boys' high school basketball players from throughout Wisconsin are scheduled to participate in the event. Here are five things to watch among the 70-plus attendees: 1. Preview of Golda Meir's talent Seven players from Golda Meir, one of the top teams in the Blue Division of the Milwaukee City Conference, will perform in Appleton. If you want to get a first-hand look at the talent in the program, check out these Golda Meir players ... #596 [player_tooltip player_id='2496089' first='Kaleb' last='Colbert'], 6-0, Jr. Son of Golda Meir coach Emmitt Colbert and one of the top junior guard prospects in Wisconsin, [player_tooltip player_id='2496089' first='Kaleb' last='Colbert'] is coming off a strong sophomore campaign where he averaged 16.8 points. 5.1 assists and 5.2 steals per outing. A strong student, Colbert earned second-team all-City Blue honors in 2023-24. #604 [player_tooltip player_id='1289145' first='Ahmir' last='Woods'], 6-2, Sr. Woods is one of those players whose best basketball might still be ahead of him as he continues to add weight and strength to his long frame. A good athlete who creates for himself and his teammates off the dribble, Woods is a three-year starter at Golda Meir. He averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 6.2 steals last season. #810 [player_tooltip player_id='2224501' first='Ameer' last='Anderson'], 6-4, Sr. After playing on the frosh and junior varsity teams during his first two years of high school, Anderson emerged as one of the City Conference's better players last winter, averaging 13 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Owls. #629 Amir Hayes, 6-2, Jr. Hayes joined Colbert, Woods and Anderson in the starting rotation last winter and averaged 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while helping the Owls to a 13-12 record. #572 [player_tooltip player_id='2610565' first='Daniel' last='Spears'], 5-9, Jr. Spears rounded out the starting lineup for Golda Meir last winter and averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. Two of Golda Meir's top reserves, [player_tooltip player_id='2431192' first='Brandon' last='Gardner'] (6-5) and [player_tooltip player_id='2423934' first='A'Mari' last='Bowes'] (5-10), also plan to take part. 2. A Look at Milwaukee Juneau's 'Other' Guys Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] (6-5) gets most of the publicity for Milwaukee Juneau, and rightfully so as the class of 2027 guard is the No. 1-ranked player in his class by Prep Hoops Wisconsin. Johnson has 10 NCAA Division I scholarship offers and picked up an offer from a big-time program in his backyard this week as Marquette coach Shaka Smart extended an offer. But in order for Juneau to contend for the Gold Division title in the Milwaukee City Conference, the Pioneers of coach Aaron Spiering will need big-time contributions from players not named Dooney. Three of those potential breakthrough players will take part in the Wisconsin Expo -- senior guard #618 [player_tooltip player_id='1598990' first='Raylen' last='Jones'] (5-11), senior wing #624 [player_tooltip player_id='1874992' first='Sean' last='Blain-Trotter'] (6-1) and speedy junior point guard #105 [player_tooltip player_id='2045272' first='Takis' last='Tyler'] (5-11). Jones and Tyler joined Johnson in the starting lineup last winter with Tyler averaging 14.0 points and Jones contributing 7.3. Blain-Trotter came off the bench to average 3.1 points. The Pioneers are a state-title contend in Division 4 largely because of Johnson's presence, but guys like Jones, Blain-Trotter and Tyler might actually determine just how far Juneau can go in 2024-25. 3. Road Warriors Just how committed are some state players to showcasing their skills and collegiate potential? Take a look at how far some of these athletes will travel in order to take part in the Wisconsin Expo. #819 [player_tooltip player_id='2432845' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2406142' first='Jayden' last='']' last='Brown'], 6-5, Sr., Grantsburg ... 304 miles one way. Brown is an all-league performer for Grantsburg who recently committed to nearby St. Scholastica, a NCAA Division III program located in Duluth, Minnesota. #817 [player_tooltip player_id='2432860' first='Jack' last='Charbonneau'], 6-5, Sr., New Richmond ... 261 miles one way. Charbonneau is a returning starter for sneaky good New Richmond and averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds as a junior. #637 [player_tooltip player_id='2395592' first='Lucas' last='Glaus'], 6-3, Sr., Elmwood/Plum City ... 238 miles one way. Glaus is one of the better players in northwest Wisconsin and begins his senior season with high hopes after averaging 20.6 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior. 4. Wisconsin Rapids standouts Even though #809 [player_tooltip player_id='1561900' first='Brody' last='Gilbertson'] of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln and #598 [player_tooltip player_id='1561916' first='J.T.' last='Schlaefer'] of Wisconsin Rapids Assumption attend different schools, the two junior backcourt standouts spend a lot of time together working out in preparation for the upcoming high school season. Both Gilbertson, a 6-foot-3 wing who averaged 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore, and Schlaefer, 6-foot-0 point guard who averaged 14.0 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore, rank among the top players in their respective conferences. Gilbertson hopes to help Lincoln move up in the Wisconsin Valley Conference standings while Schlaefer hopes to do the same for Assumption in the Marawood South Conference. 5. Under-The-Radar Standouts With more than 475 high schools fielding varsity basketball squads in Wisconsin, you can expect in excess of 5,000 players hoping to wear varsity uniforms in 2024-25. With so many teams and players, there are players who continue to fly a bit under-the-radar. Here are 10 players to watch at the Wisconsin Expo that remain a bit hidden. #603 [player_tooltip player_id='2386579' first='Devon' last='Feck'], 6-1, Jr., Rhinelander ... terrific shooter from downtown. #607 [player_tooltip player_id='1874985' first='Marquise' last='Walker'], 6-3, Sr. Middleton ... versatile wing who can create issues with his length and athleticism. #626 [player_tooltip player_id='1494698' first='Abraham' last='Tomori'], 6-2, Sr., Appleton North ... chiseled athlete who makes plays on both ends. #628 [player_tooltip player_id='1984503' first='Elliott' last='Bessen'], 6-2, Sr., Eau Claire North ... the Eau Claire Memorial players seem to get most of the attention, but Bessen can play and has a nose for the basket. #635 [player_tooltip player_id='2386198' first='Riley' last='Kraft'], 6-3, Sr., West De Pere ... son of former UW-Green Bay guard Paul Kraft, [player_tooltip player_id='2386198' first='Riley' last='Kraft'] is a solid player in his own right. #649 [player_tooltip player_id='1611623' first='Roman' last='Thompson'], 6-5, Sr., Kettle Moraine ... exceptionally competitive wing who makes plays off the dribble. #652 [player_tooltip player_id='2224502' first='Ben' last='Grabner'], 6-10, Sr., Kimberly ... The big man from Kimberly is making steady progress in his game. Size matters and Grabner proves it when he steps onto the court. #805 [player_tooltip player_id='2386509' first='Aaron' last='Wolff'], 6-3, Sr., Waupaca ... cerebral wing with outstanding fundamentals and the ability to score from deep and from mid range. #817 [player_tooltip player_id='2606542' first='Zach' last='Froemming'], 6-4, Sr., Kettle Moraine ... turned in outstanding spring/summer for the MTXE club program. #820 [player_tooltip player_id='2231465' first='Manning' last='Shareef'], 6-6, Sr., Milwaukee School of Languages ... a 6-foot-6 forward who averaged 24.5 points and 7.2 rebounds as a junior? Better check him out.

The Prep Hoops Wisconsin Expo will take place Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community First Champions Center in Appleton.

Junior and senior boys' high school basketball players from throughout Wisconsin are scheduled to participate in the event.

Here are five things to watch among the 70-plus attendees:

1. Preview of Golda Meir's talent

Seven players from Golda Meir, one of the top teams in the Blue Division of the Milwaukee City Conference, will perform in Appleton. If you want to get a first-hand look at the talent in the program, check out these Golda Meir players ...

#596 Kaleb Colbert Kaleb Colbert 6'0" | PG Milwaukee Golda Meir | 2026 State WI , 6-0, Jr.
Son of Golda Meir coach Emmitt Colbert and one of the top junior guard prospects in Wisconsin, Kaleb Colbert Kaleb Colbert 6'0" | PG Milwaukee Golda Meir | 2026 State WI is coming off a strong sophomore campaign where he averaged 16.8 points. 5.1 assists and 5.2 steals per outing. A strong student, Colbert earned second-team all-City Blue honors in 2023-24.

#604 Ahmir Woods Ahmir Woods 6'3" | CG Golda Meir | 2025 State WI , 6-2, Sr.
Woods is one of those players whose best basketball might still be ahead of him as he continues to add weight and strength to his long frame. A good athlete who creates for himself and his teammates off the dribble, Woods is a three-year starter at Golda Meir. He averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 6.2 steals last season.

#810 Ameer Anderson Ameer Anderson 6'5" | SF Golda Meir | 2025 State WI , 6-4, Sr.
After playing on the frosh and junior varsity teams during his first two years of high school, Anderson emerged as one of the City Conference's better players last winter, averaging 13 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Owls.

#629 Amir Hayes, 6-2, Jr.
Hayes joined Colbert, Woods and Anderson in the starting rotation last winter and averaged 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while helping the Owls to a 13-12 record.

#572 Daniel Spears Daniel Spears 5'9" Golda Meir | 2026 WI , 5-9, Jr.
Spears rounded out the starting lineup for Golda Meir last winter and averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Two of Golda Meir's top reserves, Brandon Gardner (6-5) and A’Mari Bowes A’Mari Bowes 6'0" | PG Golda Meir | 2025 WI (5-10), also plan to take part.

2. A Look at Milwaukee Juneau's 'Other' Guys

Sophomore Dooney Johnson Dooney Johnson 6'5" | CG Milwaukee Juneau | 2027 State #42 Nation WI (6-5) gets most of the publicity for Milwaukee Juneau, and rightfully so as the class of 2027 guard is the No. 1-ranked player in his class by Prep Hoops Wisconsin. Johnson has 10 NCAA Division I scholarship offers and picked up an offer from a big-time program in his backyard this week as Marquette coach Shaka Smart extended an offer.

But in order for Juneau to contend for the Gold Division title in the Milwaukee City Conference, the Pioneers of coach Aaron Spiering will need big-time contributions from players not named Dooney.

Three of those potential breakthrough players will take part in the Wisconsin Expo -- senior guard #618 Raylen Jones Raylen Jones 6'0" | PG Milwaukee Juneau | 2025 State WI (5-11), senior wing #624 Sean Blain-Trotter Sean Blain-Trotter 6'0" | SG Milwaukee Juneau | 2025 WI (6-1) and speedy junior point guard #105 Takis Tyler Takis Tyler 5'11" | PG/SG Milwaukee Juneau | 2026 State WI (5-11). Jones and Tyler joined Johnson in the starting lineup last winter with Tyler averaging 14.0 points and Jones contributing 7.3. Blain-Trotter came off the bench to average 3.1 points.

The Pioneers are a state-title contend in Division 4 largely because of Johnson's presence, but guys like Jones, Blain-Trotter and Tyler might actually determine just how far Juneau can go in 2024-25.

3. Road Warriors

Just how committed are some state players to showcasing their skills and collegiate potential? Take a look at how far some of these athletes will travel in order to take part in the Wisconsin Expo.

#819 Jayden Pressley Jayden Pressley 5'10" | CG Madison East | 2026 WI ' last='Brown'], 6-5, Sr., Grantsburg ... 304 miles one way. Brown is an all-league performer for Grantsburg who recently committed to nearby St. Scholastica, a NCAA Division III program located in Duluth, Minnesota.

#817 Jack Charbonneau, 6-5, Sr., New Richmond ... 261 miles one way. Charbonneau is a returning starter for sneaky good New Richmond and averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds as a junior.

#637 Lucas Glaus Lucas Glaus 6'3" | CG Elmwood/Plum City | 2025 State WI , 6-3, Sr., Elmwood/Plum City ... 238 miles one way. Glaus is one of the better players in northwest Wisconsin and begins his senior season with high hopes after averaging 20.6 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior.

4. Wisconsin Rapids standouts

Even though #809 Brody Gilbertson Brody Gilbertson 6'3" | CG Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln | 2026 State WI of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln and #598 JT Schlaefer JT Schlaefer 6'1" | PG Assumption | 2026 State WI of Wisconsin Rapids Assumption attend different schools, the two junior backcourt standouts spend a lot of time together working out in preparation for the upcoming high school season.

Both Gilbertson, a 6-foot-3 wing who averaged 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore, and Schlaefer, 6-foot-0 point guard who averaged 14.0 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore, rank among the top players in their respective conferences.

Gilbertson hopes to help Lincoln move up in the Wisconsin Valley Conference standings while Schlaefer hopes to do the same for Assumption in the Marawood South Conference.

5. Under-The-Radar Standouts

With more than 475 high schools fielding varsity basketball squads in Wisconsin, you can expect in excess of 5,000 players hoping to wear varsity uniforms in 2024-25.

With so many teams and players, there are players who continue to fly a bit under-the-radar.

Here are 10 players to watch at the Wisconsin Expo that remain a bit hidden.

#603 Devon Feck Devon Feck 6'0" | SG Rhinelander | 2026 State WI , 6-1, Jr., Rhinelander ... terrific shooter from downtown.

#607 Marquise Walker Marquise Walker 6'3" | SG/PG Middleton | 2025 State WI , 6-3, Sr. Middleton ... versatile wing who can create issues with his length and athleticism.

#626 Abraham Tomori Abraham Tomori 6'3" | SF Appleton North | 2025 State WI , 6-2, Sr., Appleton North ... chiseled athlete who makes plays on both ends.

#628 Elliott Bessen Elliott Bessen 6'1" | CG Eau Claire North | 2025 State WI , 6-2, Sr., Eau Claire North ... the Eau Claire Memorial players seem to get most of the attention, but Bessen can play and has a nose for the basket.

#635 Riley Kraft Riley Kraft 6'3" | SG West De Pere | 2025 State WI , 6-3, Sr., West De Pere ... son of former UW-Green Bay guard Paul Kraft, Riley Kraft Riley Kraft 6'3" | SG West De Pere | 2025 State WI is a solid player in his own right.

#649 Roman Thompson Roman Thompson 6'5" | SF/SG Kettle Moraine | 2025 State WI , 6-5, Sr., Kettle Moraine ... exceptionally competitive wing who makes plays off the dribble.

#652 Ben Grabner Ben Grabner 6'10" | PF Kimberly | 2025 State WI , 6-10, Sr., Kimberly ... The big man from Kimberly is making steady progress in his game. Size matters and Grabner proves it when he steps onto the court.

#805 Aaron Wolff Aaron Wolff 6'3" | SF Waupaca | 2025 State WI , 6-3, Sr., Waupaca ... cerebral wing with outstanding fundamentals and the ability to score from deep and from mid range.

#817 Zach Froemming Zach Froemming 6'4" | PF/SF Kettle Moraine | 2025 State WI , 6-4, Sr., Kettle Moraine ... turned in outstanding spring/summer for the MTXE club program.

#820 Manning Shareef Manning Shareef 6'6" | SF/PF Milwaukee School Of Languages | 2025 State WI , 6-6, Sr., Milwaukee School of Languages ... a 6-foot-6 forward who averaged 24.5 points and 7.2 rebounds as a junior? Better check him out.