2028 Initial Rankings: Players Ranked 1-10

(1) [player_tooltip player_id='2523901' first='Halbert' last='Jackson'] | SF | Cedar Rapids Washington | [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite']   Jackson is one of the most impressive freshmen I have seen in my time at PHIA, dating back to 2015. That includes players like Joe Wieskamp and AJ Green. He's a physically gifted wing who can score from anywhere, create quality looks for himself and his teammates, control the glass on both ends of the floor, defend multiple positions, and he can absolutely take over a game for stretches on either end. He's averaging 13.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, and has had some truly remarkable games during his freshman season. If he's able to continue to develop and stay on the floor, the sky is the limit for Jackson.   (2) [player_tooltip player_id='2595605' first='MarQwan' last='Morgan'] | SF | North Scott | Meanstreets   Morgan has been playing a lot of point for the Lancers as a freshman, but I think he ultimately ends up as more of a wing. He's a smooth, athletic 6-2/6-3 weapon who can do a little bit of everything, averaging 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman. He's a creative, talented playmaker with an explosive first step that he uses to get by defenders, and he has the strength to absolutely bury his man once he gets them on his hip. He was in strong consideration for the #1 spot with his ability to not only create for himself, but set up his teammates at a high level.   (3) [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] | SF | Waukee | [program_tooltip program_id='2075269' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']   Craig was the third player under consideration for the initial top spot in these rankings after putting together a solid freshman campaign on both ends of the floor for one of the best teams in 4A. He's averaging 7.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 46-35-67 shooting splits. A wing with good size and length, he can create looks off the dribble when needed, but at this point in his development, he's at his best when he's moving without the ball in his hands and knocking down shots off the catch. There is obviously still a long ways to go, and Pete will need to put the time in, but there are some shades of Payton Sandfort in his game from when Payton was a freshman with the Warriors.   (4) [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] | PF | Madrid | [program_tooltip program_id='2075269' first='All' last='Iowa Attack']   All those school records that older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'] just set may only last a few years because of how dominant Jevyn has already been as a freshman, and how good he's going to get. A physically imposing, athletic 6-4/6-5 big man with soft hands, touch around the rim, a stroke that extends out to the high school line, and the ability to take slower-footed defenders off the dribble, Severson is averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 66-50-68 shooting splits.   (5) [player_tooltip player_id='2523910' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'] | PG | Waverly-Shell Rock | [program_tooltip program_id='2075630' first='Martin' last='Brothers']   In addition to being one of the top basketball players in the 2028 class, there's a real chance that football is actually Stephens' better sport. On the hardwood, he's a strong, athletic guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim. He handles it well, is a skilled passer who sees the floor at a high level, and he's able to finish through contact with his strength. He has come off the bench for the Go-Hawks this season to provide some scoring punch, averaging 6.0 points on 53.3% shooting.   (6) [player_tooltip player_id='2523886' first='Ben' last='Wade'] | C | Regina | [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite']   Wade is raw, and will need to add some real strength to his frame, but the upside and raw talent is really, really intriguing. A mobile 6-8 big man who runs the floor well, has great timing as a shot blocker, and finishes well around the rim. He's averaging 4.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game as a freshman and is part of a really exciting young core of talent at Regina.   (7) [player_tooltip player_id='2523925' first='Trae' last='Fields'] | PG | Cedar Rapids Washington | [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite']   Fields hasn't hit his growth spurt yet, which should be a terrifying thought for opposing defenses, as he's torching MVC opponents while being listed, probably generously, at 5-8. He has a tremendous feel for the game and is a highly gifted ball-handler and shot creator who can get buckets from anywhere on the floor. He has been one of the most productive freshmen in the state this season, averaging 17.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 41-34-67 shooting.   (8) [player_tooltip player_id='2519258' first='Keaton' last='Kasperbauer'] | SG | Centennial | [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']   Kasperbauer may be one of the highest upside players in the 2028 class with his blend of size, athleticism, length, and shooting. He has appeared in 18 games off the bench for the Jaguars, averaging 2.4 points per game on 36% shooting from the arc, but he'll pair with 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419714' first='Evan' last='Abbott'] to give them a dynamic one-two punch as early as next year. He covers a ton of ground on both ends of the floor with his size and length, shoots it well off both the dribble and the catch, and he can handle it well for a young wing with his size.   (9) [player_tooltip player_id='2595698' first='Marcus' last='Morgan Jr'] | SF | North Scott | Meanstreets   The other Morgan brother from North Scott, Marcus is a tenacious rebounder and a good shooter, especially off the catch. He's a bouncy wing with a great second jump that he uses to compete on the glass on both ends of the floor, and he has knocked down 51% of his attempts from the 3-point line during his freshman season. He's averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.   (10) [player_tooltip player_id='2446123' first='Carsen' last='Gary'] | PG | Cedar Falls | [program_tooltip program_id='2075630' first='Martin' last='Brothers']   Gary has become a valuable piece off the bench for the top-ranked team in the state as a freshman, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 assists on 52-39-78 shooting splits. He's a high IQ guard who understands his role at this point in time on the varsity, but when watching him play with the sophomore team earlier in the year, you can really see his potential as both a scorer and playmaker. He plays with pace, is excellent when he gets his man on his hip, absorbs contact at the rim and finishes through it, knocks down shots from deep off the dribble and the catch. He'll be a huge piece for what looks like an extended run of success at Cedar Falls still to come.