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<p><em>As part of our preseason preview content, we're counting down the top 15 candidates for this year's Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. Our countdown continues with a look at our No. 6 player, Cedar Falls forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'].</em></p>
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<p><strong>Name: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes']<br><strong>Height: </strong>6-8<br><strong>Position:</strong> F<br><strong>School: </strong>Cedar Falls</p>
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<p><strong>2024-25 stats: </strong>396 points (16.5/game), 125 rebounds (5.2), 42 assists (1.8), 48 blocks (2.0), 21 steals (0.9), 164-249 FG (65.9%), 12-27 3P (44.4%), 56-77 FT (72.7%)<br><strong>Career stats:</strong> 687 points (12.3), 233 rebounds (4.2), 81 assists (1.4), 70 blocks (1.3), 50 steals (0.9), 290-430 FG (67.4%), 17-47 3P (36.2%), 90-125 FT (72%)</p>
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<p><strong>About Gerdes:</strong> Gerdes is one of the most talented all-around offensive weapons in the state. Blessed with great size and length as a combo forward who can score inside and out, he has great footwork and soft touch around the rim with either hand as well as the ability to step out to the 3-point line and space the floor with a smooth stroke. He's a long, rangy defender with length and impeccable timing as a rim protector, and as he continues to add some strength to his frame, he'll only continue to improve on both ends of the floor. He ended up turning down several other mid-major offers to stay home and play at Northern Iowa.</p>
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<p><strong>Why he can win Mr. Basketball:</strong> The headliner for one of the best teams in the state, Gerdes is going to be on the radar all year long. The Tigers are a team that is certainly capable of winning it all in Class 4A, and if they make a run to Championship Friday, he'll garner some serious discussion at the All-State meetings on Friday morning. </p>
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As part of our preseason preview content, we're counting down the top 15 candidates for this year's Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. Our countdown continues with a look at our No. 6 player, Cedar Falls forward William GerdesWilliamGerdes
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2026 StateIA
.
William
Gerdes
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2026
State
IA
.
