Midwest Showcase: Iowa 2023 Guards

On Friday and Saturday, some of the top talent from around the Midwest will convene at Staley High School in Kansas City for a live period event for Division I coaches. Forty Iowans are among the players who will be in attendance. In this article, we take a look at the guards from the Class of 2023 that made the cut and will play this weekend.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Blaise-Porter1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1426243" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Blaise-Porter1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956871" first="Blaise" last="Porter"] (New London) Porter holds offers from Bryant and IUPUI and will have a chance to show that he can compete at a high level against some of the best guards in the area. Size has been one of the primary concerns that college coaches have regarding Porter, listed at 6-0, but he’s one of the fastest players in the state with the ball in his hands and pairs his quick first step with a strong frame to finish effectively around the rim.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Cade-Kelderman.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066825" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Cade-Kelderman-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956887" first="Cade" last="Kelderman"] (Waukee Northwest) Kelderman enjoyed a breakout junior year for the Wolves, averaging 16 points and 5.4 assists a game with 50-43-84 shooting splits. A strong and physical lefty guard, Kelderman uses his quickness to get by defenders and his strength to finish through contact around the bucket. He’s a really good shooter both off the dribble and the catch and he does an excellent job limiting turnovers. He could see some Division II interest coming his way with a strong showing here.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Kenzie-Reed-crop-2809x1845-1646851075.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1404125" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Kenzie-Reed-crop-2809x1845-1646851075-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"] (Kennedy) Reed might be one of the players who benefits the most from this opportunity, as he has missed the first two live periods recovering from an injury sustained in the substate final. The 5-11 lead guard played through the injury and had a bit of a breakout week at the state tournament in March. He’s a high IQ guard who thrives playing in the pick-and-roll game, showcasing his excellent ball-handling and decision-making. He has made a major improvement over the last two years in his shooting, turning himself into a dangerous scoring threat as well. Some college coaches may be scared away by his size, but an impressive week against some of the top competition from around the Midwest could go a long way towards getting someone to pull the trigger and offer a scholarship.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Colby-Dolphin-crop-2683x1762-1646884913.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1404550" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Colby-Dolphin-crop-2683x1762-1646884913-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1167718" first="Colby" last="Dolphin"] (Kennedy) Dolphin is a tough, physical guard who doesn’t back down from anyone on either end of the floor. He’s always willing to take on the most difficult perimeter assignment on defense and he’s a strong finisher around the bucket through contact. He embraces the physicality of the game and seems to get stronger as the game progresses. A knockdown shooter off the catch, he has worked really hard over the last few years at improving his ability to create his own shot and looks for others. Like some of the other guards on this list, college coaches may be scared away by his size, but Dolphin is a flat-out winner who is going to make a major impact for whichever program he lands with.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Brayson-Laube2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1426253" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Brayson-Laube2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956878" first="Brayson" last="Laube"] (Marion) Laube spent last spring and summer really working to improve his athleticism and ability to create his own shot, and he exploded as a junior, putting himself on the radar of college coaches around the Midwest. He has a chance to really help himself out during this live period event with a big week. He’s already established himself as one of the best shooters in the state, both off the dribble and the catch, and his continued development as a playmaking guard will be on full display in Missouri.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson.jpeg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1066742 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"] (Hoover) Henderson has put together a really good spring with Nebraska Supreme, leading their shoe circuit team in scoring and showcasing his ability to both score and facilitate. The lightning-quick lead guard holds a handful of Division I offers from South Dakota, South Dakota State, Montana, UC Santa Barbara, and Boston, and will have a chance to add to his haul with a big weekend in Kansas City.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/54-William-Kiburis.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290446" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/54-William-Kiburis-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1167671" first="William" last="Kiburis"] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck) A talented do-it-all guard who impacts the game in a multitude of ways, Kiburis tore 1A competition up as a junior, averaging 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 3.2 steals a game. He has stepped up the competition level a bit this spring, running with Martin Brothers, and he’ll take another leap up in competition this weekend. A strong showing would be very beneficial for him.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Tate-Petersen-crop-2850x1871-1646763722.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1403314" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Tate-Petersen-crop-2850x1871-1646763722-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (Monticello) Petersen is having one of the best springs of any player in the state, showcasing his explosive scoring ability with the Iowa Mavericks. He’s a knockdown shooter off the dribble or the catch and has proven himself to be a high-level ball-handler and passer as well. With his improved frame, he’s able to get to the rim for finishes and if you give him an inch of space, he’s going to burn you. He should be on the radar of every Division II program in the Midwest.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/88-Cade-Littlefield.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290493" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/88-Cade-Littlefield-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1288872" first="Cade" last="Littlefield"] (Waukee) A high IQ guard who does a great job playing with pace, Littlefield was really good as a junior for the Warriors, averaging 11.0 points and 2.6 assists a game while shooting over 49% from behind the arc. He isn’t afraid to mix it up with bigger players on either end of the floor and he’s a leader with the ball in his hands.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/87-Garrett-Hempen.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290492" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/87-Garrett-Hempen-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (Aplington-Parkersburg) A tough and physical 6-1/6-2 lead guard, Hempen stuffs the stat sheet, averaging 15.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals a game as a junior for the Falcons. He’s a talented three-level scorer who is equally adept as a scorer or facilitator. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and does a good job using his length to make an impact.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/58-Tre-Carson.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290450" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/58-Tre-Carson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1288925" first="Trevian" last="Carson"] (Valley) Carson really picked his play up when the Tigers lost [player_tooltip player_id="962490" first="Eli" last="Raridon"] to a season-ending injury at the holiday break, stepping into the starting lineup and performing at a high level. A 6-3 playmaking combo guard, he can get to the rim and finish through contact effectively, rebounds at a high level, and is a solid passer with a good feel for the game. With his size and athleticism, he provides some versatility on the defensive end as well.