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<p>The 2026 Prep Hoops Iowa Expo had a great variety of talent at all positions. However, the forwards at this event weresome of the most impressive and impactful of the group. All of them brought their own unique specialties to their teams and contributed to winning with their size and skill. Let's get right into the forwards that impressed me the most at this event.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='3586814' first='Caden' last='DeKoter'] was one of the most potently effective prospects I saw play at this event. This was mainly due to his freakish size, balance, and fluidity at the center position. He was able to catch lobs from every angle and finish them while being off balance and contested. And this warped opposing defenses' entire coverage because of his sheer gravity as an around-the-rim threat. His finishes off these lobs were acrobatic and graceful, and this led to increased attention from off-ball defenders that were forced to tag him to minimize his threat as a roller, opening up shooters all over the floor. He was equally as graceful and agile in transition and as a driver. He got up and down the floor very well, and this led to easy buckets for him in the fast break. And he displayed the ability to get low and drive past defenders for finishes at the rim, showcasing enticing quickness as a driver. He offered this elite rim pressure while also being a capable three-point shooter. He hit threes off the catch and off the dribble from deep range, and his jump shot was very fundamentally sound and balanced. This, coupled with his size, made his pull-up attempts extremely difficult for defenders to contest and allowed him to hit outside shots with great efficiency. Caden was equally as impactful on the defensive end. He displayed high-level discipline when it came to keeping his hands up and staying vertical, avoiding fouls and making shots very difficult for opposing scorers. And he blocked shots and shut off the rim consistently.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='3784554' first='Brody' last='Coates'] showcased his special versatility at the Expo. Brody's profile as a prospect comprises his bruising size and strength, and his smooth finesse and skill. Brody was one of the most consistent and effective three-point shooting forwards I saw play at this event. He was very willing to let it fly from outside, and the results spoke for themselves. His focus and fluency as an off-the-catch three-point shooter made him a problem for all opposing defenses that were tasked with defending him. And his stone-wall screens often opened up these three-point opportunities, and he was elite at cashing in on them. However, he was just as efficient as an around-the-rim scorer. He used his bulky size to carve out space and finish plays around the interior, while also using his frame to box out opponents and come down with many rebounds on both sides of the glass. One of the most surprising things to me about his game was how adept and calm he was as a ball handler and passer. He showcased a great feel for the game and moved with lots of polish and balance, being a mobile playmaking hub for his team's offense. Defensively, he also showed great utility and versatility. He was able to switch onto smaller opponents and hold his own, while also shutting down larger forwards, providing great rim protection as a help defender in the meantime.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2981660' first='D'terrius' last='Johnson'] displayed his elite explosiveness and tools as a physically imposing forward. I would say that D'terrius was one of the most flat-out athletic players I saw play at this event. His speed and vertical pop made him a monster in transition. On one play, he got the ball on the break, drove through the entire defense, and detonated on the rim with authority. And this theme was a constant one at this event, because once he got rolling, pretty much nobody could slow him down from trucking through the defense on the way to the rim. His patience under the rim and use of fakes, combined with his sheer power as a downhill attacker, allowed him to draw heaps of fouls, as he just flat-out overwhelmed defenders with his physical tools. With all that being said, he was just as imposing on the defensive end. His feel, positioning, and off-ball recognition allowed him to block many shots as a help-side defender. He was special at sliding over to the rim and sending shots back, using his springiness and length to shut off the rim, while also showcasing the ability to guard on the perimeter and stifle drives.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2969085' first='Paris' last='Walton'] was one of the most unique forwards I saw play at this event. His profile as a prospect hinges on his athletic verticality and powerful strength. Paris searches for contact and finishes through it like no other. The way he was able to absorb collisions and power up and through them was truly special, as no amount of hard contact deterred his finishing abilities. Around the rim, his touch and balance were also special, which made him an extremely efficient and effective interior scoring force. Couple that with his dominance and proficiency as a rebounder, and you have a truly supreme around-the-rim technician. All of these tools he flashed on offense translated to the defensive end as well. Using his verticality and size, he blocked many shots and provided great rim protection, while also keeping opponents off the defensive glass with his impactful box-outs. And his strength and fluidity made him one of the most versatile defenders I saw play at this event, as he could guard about any player that was switched onto him and suppress their production with ease.</p>
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The 2026 Prep Hoops Iowa Expo had a great variety of talent at all positions. However, the forwards at this event weresome of the most impressive and impactful of the group. All of them brought their own unique specialties to their teams and contributed to winning with their size and skill. Let's get right into the forwards that impressed me the most at this event.
Caden DeKoterCadenDeKoter
6'8" | C/PF
Clear Creek-Amana | 2028 StateIA
was one of the most potently effective prospects I saw play at this event. This was mainly due to his freakish size, balance, and fluidity at the center position. He was able to catch lobs from every angle and finish them while being off balance and contested. And this warped opposing defenses' entire coverage because of his sheer gravity as an around-the-rim threat. His finishes off these lobs were acrobatic and graceful, and this led to increased attention from off-ball defenders that were forced to tag him to minimize his threat as a roller, opening up shooters all over the floor. He was equally as graceful and agile in transition and as a driver. He got up and down the floor very well, and this led to easy buckets for him in the fast break. And he displayed the ability to get low and drive past defenders for finishes at the rim, showcasing enticing quickness as a driver. He offered this elite rim pressure while also being a capable three-point shooter. He hit threes off the catch and off the dribble from deep range, and his jump shot was very fundamentally sound and balanced. This, coupled with his size, made his pull-up attempts extremely difficult for defenders to contest and allowed him to hit outside shots with great efficiency. Caden was equally as impactful on the defensive end. He displayed high-level discipline when it came to keeping his hands up and staying vertical, avoiding fouls and making shots very difficult for opposing scorers. And he blocked shots and shut off the rim consistently.
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Brody CoatesBrodyCoates
6'6" | C IA
showcased his special versatility at the Expo. Brody's profile as a prospect comprises his bruising size and strength, and his smooth finesse and skill. Brody was one of the most consistent and effective three-point shooting forwards I saw play at this event. He was very willing to let it fly from outside, and the results spoke for themselves. His focus and fluency as an off-the-catch three-point shooter made him a problem for all opposing defenses that were tasked with defending him. And his stone-wall screens often opened up these three-point opportunities, and he was elite at cashing in on them. However, he was just as efficient as an around-the-rim scorer. He used his bulky size to carve out space and finish plays around the interior, while also using his frame to box out opponents and come down with many rebounds on both sides of the glass. One of the most surprising things to me about his game was how adept and calm he was as a ball handler and passer. He showcased a great feel for the game and moved with lots of polish and balance, being a mobile playmaking hub for his team's offense. Defensively, he also showed great utility and versatility. He was able to switch onto smaller opponents and hold his own, while also shutting down larger forwards, providing great rim protection as a help defender in the meantime.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
2026 Prep Hoops Iowa Expo: Most Impressive Forwards2026Prep Hoops Iowa Expo: Most Impressive Forwards
displayed his elite explosiveness and tools as a physically imposing forward. I would say that D'terrius was one of the most flat-out athletic players I saw play at this event. His speed and vertical pop made…
Paris WaltonParisWalton
6'6" | PF/SF IA
was one of the most unique forwards I saw play at this event. His profile as a prospect hinges on his athletic verticality and powerful strength. Paris searches for contact and finishes through it like no other. The way he was able to absorb collisions and power up and through them was truly special, as no amount of hard contact deterred his finishing abilities. Around the rim, his touch and balance were also special, which made him an extremely efficient and effective interior scoring force. Couple that with his dominance and proficiency as a rebounder, and you have a truly supreme around-the-rim technician. All of these tools he flashed on offense translated to the defensive end as well. Using his verticality and size, he blocked many shots and provided great rim protection, while also keeping opponents off the defensive glass with his impactful box-outs. And his strength and fluidity made him one of the most versatile defenders I saw play at this event, as he could guard about any player that was switched onto him and suppress their production with ease.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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Caden
DeKoter
6'8" | C/PF
Clear Creek-Amana | 2028
State
IA
was one of the most potently effective prospects I saw play at this event. This was mainly due to his freakish size, balance, and fluidity at the center position. He was able to catch lobs from every angle and finish them while being off balance and contested. And this warped opposing defenses' entire coverage because of his sheer gravity as an around-the-rim threat. His finishes off these lobs were acrobatic and graceful, and this led to increased attention from off-ball defenders that were forced to tag him to minimize his threat as a roller, opening up shooters all over the floor. He was equally as graceful and agile in transition and as a driver. He got up and down the floor very well, and this led to easy buckets for him in the fast break. And he displayed the ability to get low and drive past defenders for finishes at the rim, showcasing enticing quickness as a driver. He offered this elite rim pressure while also being a capable three-point shooter. He hit threes off the catch and off the dribble from deep range, and his jump shot was very fundamentally sound and balanced. This, coupled with his size, made his pull-up attempts extremely difficult for defenders to contest and allowed him to hit outside shots with great efficiency. Caden was equally as impactful on the defensive end. He displayed high-level discipline when it came to keeping his hands up and staying vertical, avoiding fouls and making shots very difficult for opposing scorers. And he blocked shots and shut off the rim consistently.
Paris
Walton
6'6" | PF/SF
IA
was one of the most unique forwards I saw play at this event. His profile as a prospect hinges on his athletic verticality and powerful strength. Paris searches for contact and finishes through it like no other. The way he was able to absorb collisions and power up and through them was truly special, as no amount of hard contact deterred his finishing abilities. Around the rim, his touch and balance were also special, which made him an extremely efficient and effective interior scoring force. Couple that with his dominance and proficiency as a rebounder, and you have a truly supreme around-the-rim technician. All of these tools he flashed on offense translated to the defensive end as well. Using his verticality and size, he blocked many shots and provided great rim protection, while also keeping opponents off the defensive glass with his impactful box-outs. And his strength and fluidity made him one of the most versatile defenders I saw play at this event, as he could guard about any player that was switched onto him and suppress their production with ease.
