2029 Initial Rankings: Players Ranked Top Five

Henry played his freshman year at Sioux City West, transferred to Sioux City East, then recently announced that he will attend Iowa United Prep for his sophomore year, playing against a national schedule of prep schools. Normally Iowa United players haven't been included in state rankings, but as with Navon Shabazz in the 2026 class, if a player was an Iowa high school basketball player at some point in time, I'll keep him in the rankings.   As far as on the hardwood, Henry was ridiculously good as a freshman at West, averaging 26.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game on 53-43-80 shooting splits. He has legitimate guard size at 6-4, is a confident shot maker, handles it well, and can score from all three levels. His combination of size, length, and athleticism are rivaled by few in the Midwest, and he has already picked up a pair of Division I offers from Mississippi State and West Virginia.     One of the better long-term prospects in the state, regardless of class, Noll is a 6-9 forward who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and create off the bounce. His length and mobility allow him to provide all sorts of versatility on the defensive end, and he's a legitimately good shooter from distance, knocking down 39% of his 3-point attempts as a freshman for the Black Raiders. His size and skill set are really intriguing, and if he can continue to add some strength to his frame, and potentially grow a few more inches, he could turn into a nationally ranked prospect. He already holds a Division I offer from Washington State.     Tanny was really productive as a freshman for the Golden Eagles, averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds on 52% shooting. He's a throwback big man with great footwork, soft touch around the rim with either hand, and he does a great job sealing his defender and creating good post position, making himself big and allowing his guards to easily make entry passes. He's patient, keeps the ball high, and can finish through contact. His vision out of the post is impressive and he has good instincts as a passer, and if he can add some consistency to his jumper, watch out.     Gomez was really good as a freshman for the Cougars, averaging 10.3 points on 46-45-74 shooting. He's an elite shooter off both the dribble and the catch who is becoming more comfortable with the ball in his hands each time I see him. He's a long, high IQ guard whose ability to shoot it is rivaled by few in the state.     A strong, physical guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor on seemingly every possession, McKowen has a great feel for the game and is a tough on-ball defender who moves his feet well and has quick hands. He finishes well around the rim through contact, sets his teammates up well, and is a true lead guard who protects the ball well. He averaged 8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals and posted a 1.83 assist-to-turnover ratio as a freshman.