Prep Hoops Iowa Open: 16U Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Iowa Open showcased high-level talent at every age level. And the players of the 16U variety were in a similar mold. This group of incoming juniors were some of the most impressive prospects in the building. Let's get right into the top 16U performers from the Prep Hoops Iowa Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3586814"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3661613,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a2310cce6313"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3586814' first='Caden' last='DeKoter'] provided a versatile impact for his team at the Prep Hoops Iowa Open. For starters, his passing and court vision were very impressive out of the high post. He always had his head up and was great at finding cutters with timely bounce passes in space. His overall offensive feel very much stood out for him at the center position. This translated to his scoring as well, as he was very effective finishing plays around the rim using his size. He was great at converting on the roll, and he displayed elite vertical athleticism, finishing plays with rim-shaking dunks. However, he was even more effective on the defensive end of the court. His length, fluidity, feel, and vertical explosiveness made him an elite rim protector. He racked up many blocks at the rim, and he was great at getting into help position at a moment's notice with his great off-ball recognition. All of these tools also made him an exceptional one-on-one defender. He locked up his matchup and shut off the rim at the same time. Truly elite two-way impact from this rising big man prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3579602"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3661625,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a231f6911df2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2729465' first='Kieveon' last='O'Neal'] was one of the most elite shot creators I saw play at the Prep Hoops Iowa Open. He was automatic from the mid-range, and he got to his spots with ease. He showcased a very fast and smooth jumper that he punished defenders with off the dribble routinely. Using his burst, he got defenders on their toes and used his footwork and control to hit contested shots off balance. Mid-range spin fadeaways and deep pull-up threes when defenders went under screens were a constant and made him a deadly scorer. His threat as a scorer allowed him to show off his playmaking abilities. He was great at making reads on the move and made decisions at lightning speeds, which kept the defense honest and stopped them from loading up on him. Lastly, his defensive impact was also very impressive. Using his length, he forced turnovers and blocked shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3606262"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3661635,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a231f6911f08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3606262' first='Karmarion' last='Settle'] did about everything for his team at the Prep Hoops Iowa Open. His defense was truly suffocating. Using his solid frame, length, and explosiveness, he stifled opponents. He got tons of deflections and jumped passing lanes for steals, as well as walling up, preventing penetration, and blocking shots at the rim with his length. He displayed lots of enticing skills offensively too. His size, burst, explosiveness, and touch made him dangerous. He hit multiple threes off the catch with ease. And he burst past defenders and finished many layups with his soft touch. He was also elite off the ball as a screener and roller, using his good hands to catch tough passes and finish plays. He also showed off his freakish vertical with hard dunks at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3661653,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Maddox Mccullough","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Iowa Storm 16u","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a231f69120d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddox McCullough had an all-around great performance at the Prep Hoops Iowa Open. Using his solid frame and strength, he was extremely effective on both sides of the glass. He was great at eating up space, which also added to his post-scoring abilities. He finished through contact with no issues and, overall, he was a very physically imposing presence under the rim. He drew many fouls with patient pump fakes and finished multiple and-1s. And because of his around-the-rim dominance, the opposing defense sent many bodies at him. And he was elite at reading the defense and whipping passes out to open shooters. He was also great defensively. He ripped ball handlers with his quick hands and blocked shots with great anticipation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->