June Update, Part III — 2029 Prospects Taking Major Steps Forward

While the 2027 and 2028 classes have received much of the attention throughout the spring and summer, the 2029 class across the region has been just as impressive. Several young prospects have emerged as names to know, showcasing the talent, skill, and upside that could make them highly regarded recruits over the next few years.   In this article, I'll take a closer look at some of those rising prospects and break down why they are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Whether it's their physical tools, advanced skill sets, feel for the game, or long-term potential, these are players who are already making a strong impression and positioning themselves among the top young talents not only in the area, but potentially on a national level as well.    I'll put Schlutow up against any 2029 prospect in the Kansas City metro area — and arguably the entire state of Missouri — when it comes to long-term potential and recent development. The spring and summer have been tremendous for the young forward, who continues to expand his game at an impressive rate.   Physically, Schlutow keeps growing into his frame, and his length immediately stands out when you watch him play. He possesses a unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill that allows him to both control and impact contests. Jacob is comfortable handling the ball in the open floor, where he can use his mobility and coordination to create opportunities for himself and others. In transition, he regularly plays above the rim and has emerged as a dangerous finisher.   His versatility continues to expand as well. He can be utilized in different offensive actions as a roller, where his length and athleticism make him a threat around the basket, while also showing the ability to step out and knock down shots from beyond the arc. Those developing perimeter skills only add to an already intriguing long-term profile.   Perhaps most impressive is that he's beginning to show signs of a player capable of taking over games. His impact extends well beyond the offensive end, as his shot-blocking ability, length, and defensive instincts consistently alter possessions and create problems for opponents. When you combine his physical tools with continued growth, it's easy to see why he's pushing towards the top of both regional and national recruiting rankings.     Lundy is another young prospect worth following closely and has already established himself as one of the top young guards in the state of Iowa. A creative and crafty scorer, he has a natural ability to find space and create opportunities for himself, particularly when attacking the basket.   Keenan excels as a downhill driver, using a combination of length, body control, and instincts to navigate through traffic and finish around the rim. While his feel for the game and anticipation are major strengths, he's also a very good athlete who plays with quickness and explosiveness in the open floor. Those physical tools show up consistently on the defensive end, where he uses his activity level and instincts to generate turnovers and create transition scoring opportunities.   Beyond his ability to get to the basket, Lundy has also shown that he can be a reliable perimeter threat. He is capable of knocking down shots from the outside and has demonstrated the ability to create his own offense when needed. As his game continues to evolve, that combination of shot creation, scoring versatility, and athleticism should serve him well and position him as one of the more intriguing young guards to watch in the years ahead.     Akognon has been the catalyst for a loaded [program_tooltip program_id='2078454' first='KC' last='Run GMC'] squad throughout the spring, serving as the team's primary scorer and offensive engine. Few players in the 2029 class have been as productive with the ball in their hands, and his impact on winning has been impossible to overlook.   Josiah is an explosive and elusive lead guard who excels when attacking downhill. He plays with pace, gets into the paint consistently, and has an impressive ability to adjust in the air as a finisher. Whether navigating through traffic or attacking in transition, he shows excellent body control and creativity around the basket.   His quickness with the ball is another major strength. Akognon changes direction effortlessly, often slicing through traps and escaping pressure situations that would force other guards into mistakes. He does an outstanding job of manipulating defenders, drawing multiple players toward him before finding openings to score or create advantages for his team.   Beyond his ability to get to the rim, his touch in the mid-range has continued to stand out, giving him another reliable scoring option. He's also showing increasing confidence and consistency as a perimeter shooter, which only adds another layer to an already dynamic offensive skill set.   The combination of speed, shot creation, scoring instincts, and playmaking ability has made Akognon one of the top-performing 2029 guards on the UAA circuit this spring. With continued development, he looks poised to remain one of the premier young backcourt prospects in the region for years to come.     Another name I would place right alongside Schlutow in terms of spring and summer development is McCullough. The true big man has made significant strides over the past several months, and his combination of size, skill, and feel for the game continues to stand out. With each viewing, he appears more comfortable and confident operating at every level offensively.   A high-IQ player, McCullough consistently finds ways to create advantages within the flow of the offense. He is particularly effective in ball-screen actions, where he shows a strong understanding of timing and spacing, whether rolling hard to the rim or popping into open areas for perimeter shooting. His ability to read the game and make the right play has become a major strength.   His perimeter shooting was especially impressive throughout June and has emerged as one of the most impactful aspects of his offensive game. Defenses are forced to account for him away from the basket, and he looks increasingly comfortable scoring from multiple spots on the floor.   What separates McCullough from many young frontcourt prospects, however, is his ability to play with his back to the basket. He has shown the ability to establish position, score over either shoulder, and utilize a variety of post moves — skills that have become increasingly rare in today's game. That inside-out versatility gives him a unique offensive profile and significantly raises his long-term ceiling.   As he continues to develop physically and refine his game, McCullough is steadily growing into the tremendous upside he possesses as a future frontcourt prospect. His combination of skill, feel, and versatility makes him one of the more intriguing young big men to monitor moving forward.     Dreeszen is another Iowa prospect who has really moved the needle throughout the spring and summer. While he may not possess ideal size for a lead guard, he more than makes up for it with toughness, skill, and a high-level understanding of the game.   A heady and quick playmaker, Dreeszen does an excellent job of changing pace and using his body to create separation. He consistently keeps defenders off balance and understands how to manipulate angles to his advantage. As a scorer, he has been remarkably efficient, producing at a high level from all three levels of the floor. Whether he's operating in the mid-range, finishing at the rim, or connecting from beyond the arc, he's doing so with impressive consistency and efficiency.   Brody is particularly effective in ball-screen situations, where his feel for the game really shines. He does an outstanding job of manipulating defenders, forcing them into uncomfortable positions before deciding whether to use or reject screens. His ability to read coverage and make quick decisions allows him to create opportunities for both himself and his teammates.   Despite being undersized, Dreeszen's strong frame allows him to compete against bigger players without giving ground. He plays with confidence, toughness, and an advanced basketball IQ that consistently stands out. In many ways, he looks like an extension of the coaching staff on the floor, directing traffic, making the right reads, and impacting winning through his leadership and decision-making.     A true back-to-the-basket big who likes to carve out space, the 6-foot-9 Tanny is hard to miss on the floor. He looks poised to be part of Iowa's next generation of talented post players, a tradition the state has continued to produce year after year. He plays with a physical presence and rarely looks rushed when attacking inside. Showing patience and polished footwork around the rim, he consistently creates separation, gets defenders off balance, and finishes with either hand. His comfort playing through contact and ability to establish deep position make him a difficult matchup on the interior.   He's at his best when playing off two feet and getting to balance in the paint, especially when he can get to his drop step and finish through contact. Alex also appears to be growing as a passer and has shown the ability to step out and knock down perimeter shots when called upon. He's a player with a bright future who continues to make strides, steadily pushing the high ceiling that makes him such an intriguing prospect moving forward.   Currently, he projects as a true center at the next level, but the more he can continue to stretch the floor and expand his perimeter game, the more valuable and versatile he becomes. As his athleticism and skill set continue to develop, it should pay dividends in how he's utilized, allowing him to impact the game in a variety of ways beyond the traditional center role.     Buy stock now on Weber. The long, elusive wing has been one of the more impressive young prospects to emerge this spring and summer while competing for both Gateway Knights and Chaminade. He looks poised to become the next standout product from the Red Devils program and has the traits of a future difference-maker at the high school level and beyond.   What immediately comes to light is his combination of length, athleticism, and offensive skill. Weber has the ability to play above the rim as a finisher, but it's his shot-creation ability that may be his most intriguing attribute at this stage of his development. Whether operating in the mid-range or creating separation beyond the arc, he has shown a growing comfort level generating offense for himself.   His size and length allow him to see over defenders, giving him a unique advantage as both a scorer and playmaker. He does a good job of identifying openings, attacking space, and making reads that many players his age simply don't see. As he continues to add strength and experience, those natural instincts should only become more impactful.   There is a lot to like about Weber's long-term outlook. The physical tools are evident, the skill set continues to expand, and the upside remains substantial. Over the next several years, he has all the ingredients to develop into one of the more highly regarded prospects in the region.

While the 2027 and 2028 classes have received much of the attention throughout the spring and summer, the 2029 class across the region has been just as impressive. Several young prospects have emerged as names to know, showcasing the talent, skill, and upside that could make them highly regarded recruits over the next few years.