Iowa Freshman Showcase: The Five Best Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detailing the top five power forwards and centers at the Prep Hoops Iowa Freshman Showcase last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/iowa-freshman-showcase-eliots-first-team-all-showcase/">Iowa Freshman Showcase: Eliot's First Team All-Showcase</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/prep-hoops-iowa-freshman-showcase-tonys-first-team-all-showcase/">Iowa Freshman Showcase: Tony's First Team All-Showcase</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/iowa-freshman-showcase-the-top-five-shooters/">Iowa Freshman Showcase: The Top Five Shooters</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/08/iowa-freshman-showcase-the-top-five-ball-handlers/">Iowa Freshman Showcase: The Top Five Ball-Handlers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832037"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a499d85cdbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more polished shooters in Des Moines, especially for his size, [player_tooltip player_id='2832037' first='Nile' last='Brankovic'] stood out as a stretch four. No, he won't beat you off-the-dribble, and he's not going to be a creator for himself, but Brankovic showed the consistent ability to step into three-pointers and knock them down. That, and he was among the better rebounders at the event while also showing flashes of being a switchable defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2921223"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a499d85ce27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A more modern four, [player_tooltip player_id='2921223' first='Keenan' last='Lundy'] looks to have the potential to be a versatile forward that can create for himself, defend at the rim and on the perimeter, put the ball on the floor to attack the basket and shoot the three. One of the more overlooked players at the event, in my opinion, Lundy was excellent in the 3-on-3 portion, getting basically whatever he wanted offensively, grabbing boards and playing solid defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2929056"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a499d85ce7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A pesky defender that made things difficult on his matchup in the post, [player_tooltip player_id='2929056' first='Collin' last='McCollaugh'] was a physical defender with active hands. A tad slight of frame, McCollaugh will need to add weight to continue to get offensive players off their spots near the bucket, but he's got the length and the mindset to do it now. Also an efficient scorer near the rim, he used the glass well within five feet of the bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2839170"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a499d85cec5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The tallest player at The Showcase, [player_tooltip player_id='2839170' first='Liam' last='Noll'] immediately grabbed attention from any and all eyes at the event. A slim, skilled big, Noll showed the ability to pass the ball and shoot the three, flashing the look of a high-major big in his future. Like McCollaugh, he'll need to get into the weight room and stack on some pounds over the next few years, but with the gift of height and his skillset, Noll should be an impact player quickly for Sioux City East. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2833535"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a499d85cf0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A little tentative in 3-on-3, [player_tooltip player_id='2833535' first='Jay' last='William'] of Storm Lake got into a flow and played his role well in the 5-on-5 part of the day. Currently a forward, though he only stands at 5'10", William uses his length and athleticism to impact the game on the boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That length provides long strides in the open court and the ability to create separation when attacking the rim, allowing him to score with soft touch. William, like Lundy, has big upside potential as a defender that can help protect the basket, but also step out and defend on the perimeter. The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='2419850' first='David' last='William'], a two-sport star for the Tornadoes, Jay has big time potential to be a standout in both sports like his older brother. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->