2024 Rankings Update: Newcomer Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(136) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1499008' first='Nathan' last='Stroud'] (Mount Pleasant)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-5 big man who finishes efficiently around the rim with either hand, Stroud averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks a game as a junior for the Panthers. While he went just 0-2 from behind the arc during the high school season, he has shown the ability to occasionally step out and stretch the floor as well with a smooth stroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(175) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1945651' first='Clayton' last='Meyermann'] (Northeast)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical 6-4 forward, Meyermann was a force on both ends of the floor for the Rebels, averaging 13.7 points and 9.1 rebounds a game last season. He does a great job carving out space and sealing his defender, using his strength and soft hands to hold off the defense and score at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(186) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1938205' first='Jordan' last='Dewaele'] (Council Bluffs Jefferson)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CBTJ wasn't very good last season, but the 6-6 Dewaele was a standout, averaging 16.5 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. An athletic forward with good size, he can score inside and out, and he's a good rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(190) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1945652' first='Kam' last='Mestas'] (Charles City)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mestas was really good as a junior, averaging 15 points and 6.4 rebounds a game on nearly 59% shooting. At 6-5, he has good size and showed himself to be a solid playmaker as well last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(221) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1938208' first='Evan' last='Hatcher'] (Humboldt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatcher is a bit undersized as a traditional big man, but he plays with a non-stop motor and is fantastic on the glass, averaging 8 rebounds a game to go with 13.6 points as a junior. He's also a skilled playmaker who sees the floor well, initiating the offense out of the high post area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(224) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1587753' first='Sam' last='Hensley'] (Winterset)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hensley is a long 6-4/6-5 forward who can score efficiently around the bucket and dominate the glass on both ends of the floor, pulling down 6.6 rebounds (2.7 offensive) a game. He knocked down 75% of his free throw attempts last season, suggesting he may be able to add a little bit of range to his game as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(227) PF [player_tooltip player_id='1945656' first='Hunter' last='Cresswell'] (Fort Madison)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical 6-3 big man who controls the glass on both ends of the floor, Cresswell averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 54.5% from the floor as a junior for the Bloodhounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->