State Tournament Preview: Class 4A Stars to Watch

Gerdes, committed to play his college ball at Northern Iowa, is an incredibly efficient 6-8 forward who is shooting just under 75% from the floor while averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game. He has great footwork, soft touch, and is able to step out and stretch the floor, shooting 43% from the 3-point line. He's a dominant offensive player who can initiate offense as a scorer and passer out of the post and high-post.     Another extremely efficient offensive weapon from Cedar Falls, Kimbrough is averaging 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.4 steals per game on 53-39-75 shooting splits. He's a skilled shotmaker who is elite in the mid-range, capable of making tough, contested shots and creating his own looks off the dribble in addition to being a high-level catch-and-shoot option.     Jacobson is committed to Texas A&M to play both football and basketball. He's a physical and athletic 6-6/6-7 combo forward who can score inside and out, protect the paint, and control the glass. He's averaging 14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game for the red-hot Warriors.     Half of the Warriors' dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt, Roach is having a remarkably efficient shooting season, averaging 12.7 points on 55-48-81 shooting splits. He's a good ball-handler with great vision who loves to set his teammates up, and he's able to use the threat of his shot to open things up. He leads the Warriors in assists per game, dishing out 4.1 helpers a contest, and has posted a 2.44 assist-to-turnover ratio.     The future Nebraska wing is averaging 21.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game on 54-42-80 shooting splits for the Wolves. A 6-8 wing who can do everything on both ends of the floor, he's a highly intelligent player who understands angles, spacing, and can play with or without the ball in his hands. The name of Rice's games is versatility on both ends of the floor.     Davis is one of the most dominant rim protectors the state has seen, especially at the 4A level, in recent years. A mobile, athletic 6-8/6-9 forward with impeccable timing, he can play in a variety of defensive coverages and is a switchable defender. On the offensive end, he's an above-the-rim finisher who is a good enough shooting threat to be able to play in pick-and-pop actions. He's averaging 14.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game on 60% shooting.     In a 2026 class loaded with size and Division I talent, Crane is another one. A 6-10 center who is headed to Navy, he's the type of big, athletic big man who can run the floor, pass out of the post, and protect the rim at an elite level that college coaches covet. He's averaging 13.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.     Schultz is one of the best pure scorers in the state, averaging 24.8 points per game on 65-40-78 shooting splits. A 6-7 combo forward who can post up smaller defenders, step out and stretch the floor with ease, and take bigger defenders off the dribble, he's an extremely difficult player for teams to match up with.     Cavil really stepped up in the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] this season, handling primary scoring and playmaking responsibilities and thriving. A quick guard with great handles, speed, and the toughness to finish through contact at the rim, he's a fearless guard who is also among the best on-ball defenders in the state. He's averaging 15.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 steals.     Prairie is extremely balanced, with four players averaging between 10.4 and 12.8 points per game, including Joens, who puts up 11.4 a contest. He's the team's most electric shooting threat, knocking down 40.5% of his 3-point attempts. He's a high-level shooter off both the dribble and the catch.     A 6-5 wing with length and bounce, Pargeon leads the J-Hawks in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game to go with 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. He can score from all three levels and is a versatile defender.     Another long 6-5 wing who can do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Teeter is averaging 16.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game on 47-39-59 shooting. When he's engaged and locked in, he can take over games with his ability to create at his size as well as defend multiple positions.