Iowa Freshman Showcase: The Top Five Ball-Handlers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detailing the top five ball-handlers 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:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2921064"],"_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-68a49396d01ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mentioned for the third time after grabbing a spot on my All-Showcase team, [player_tooltip player_id='2921064' first='Jacobi' last='Cofield'] from Sergeant Bluff-Luton is once again earning praise thanks to his performance in Des Moines. One of the more consistent ball-handlers in transition, running the offense and creating for himself, Cofield is 100% a lead guard. He used his handle to not only facilitate and create for others, but also to create for himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2895275"],"_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-68a49396d0255"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player I wish I was able to watch a bit more, [player_tooltip player_id='2895275' first='Caden' last='Dunlay'] shared the court with three other would-be primary ball-handlers in Cofield, [player_tooltip player_id='2369910' first='Mykel' last='Peak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2919825' first='Sean' last='Sinnott'] at the event in Des Moines, so he didn't possess the rock as much as he likely will when he plays for Pleasant Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When he did get his hands on the ball, though, Dunlay showed off a tight handle that allowed him to maneuver through traffic, collect a high gather of the ball and finish at the rim. If he shows those flashes in a more consistent manor, he could be one of the better guards in his class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2920910"],"_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-68a49396d02a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my favorite players at The Showcase, [player_tooltip player_id='2920910' first='Graedy' last='Edwards'] had what was probably the most impressive ball-handling skills of anyone at the facility. Likened to Jason "White Chocolate" Williams when listing him on my All-Showcase team, Edwards keeps his front half low, uses his long arms to deter defenders, broke a few ankles, and is able to manipulate his body and the ball to finish when he gets to the cup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2907700"],"_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-68a49396d02f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noted for his defensive capabilities in the Team 4 Evaluation, [player_tooltip player_id='2907700' first='Nash' last='Mitchell'] or Underwood provided more than that at The Showcase, showing off his ability to handle the ball, too. Though defense may have been his calling card, Mitchell was a smooth, effortless ball-handler, too, in addition to shooting the ball well with a quick, high release. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2918537"],"_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-68a49396d0336"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was only able to watch [player_tooltip player_id='2918537' first='Tylon' last='Phiakhamta'] in the 3-on-3 portion of the day, but the Storm Lake point guard quickly caught my attention, showing the tangible and intangible skillset any point guard should have. A talker that helped lead his team and get them in the right spots on both offense and defense, Phiakhamta efficiently used his handle to attack the basket and to distribute the rock to teammates for scoring opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->