Hardwood Classic: Stock Risers
2019 Trayvon Williams, 6’3 G (Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U)
It was another stunningly good weekend for the West Des Moines Valley rising junior. He’s proven himself time and again this offseason to be one of the most dynamic players in Iowa, and he received his first D1 offer from South Dakota State because of it. A high-flyer with a clear passion for lock-down defense, Williams is starting to seperate himself from the pact. He’ll me moved yup considerably from his current No. 12 spot.
2020 AJ Coons, 6’5 SF (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
It’s possible that Iowa’s current 9th-ranked 2019 played himself into a top-5 spot this weekend. He was arguably the best player on a team that won the title at a loaded tournament. His game has improved dramatically since we saw him in early spring, and he looks to be a sure-fire D1 prospect. This was a big-time weekend for the Solon rising sophomore.
2020 Keshawn Christian, 6’3 SF (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
Currently No. 14 in 2019, Christian’s performance this weekend — particularly in the championship game — was probably enough to warrant a little bump for him. The next step for the Iowa City High rising sophomore would be to crack that top-10, and there’s a decent chance the athletic and versatile wing makes that leap in the next installment.
2019 Patrick McCaffery, 6’8 SF (Iowa Barnstormers 15U)
How does your stock rise when you’re already No. 1? Well, McCaffery was so good this past weekend, that we’re thinking his stock in the Prep Hoops National Rankings should improve. Currently No. 41, McCaffery has been the leader and the best player for one of the nation’s best teams this summer. The KD-like prospect could be due for a bump, nationally.
2020 Agueck Deng, 6’7 F (Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U)
The very definition of stretch-four, Deng is an explosive athlete, who at 6’7 is able to play well above the rim. He’s also a very capable 3-point shooter. He nearly single-handedly kept his Kingdom Hoops squad close with MOKAN Elite in a Sweet 16 game. Already a highly thought-of prospect, we could be moving him up from the No. 15 spot soon.
2018 Nick Johnson, 6’5 F (Kingdom Hoops Red 17U)
This Hoover stretch-four has always been an intriguing prospect to us. It was unfortunate that last season — after a strong 16U offseason — he had to sit out due to a leg injury. But he’s back and better than ever, playing with great toughness and versatility. He’ll be a key piece to the Huskies’ success next season, and will be moved up soon from his current No.172 ranking.
2018 Trey Drummond, 6’2 PG (Kingdom Hoops Red 17U)
We first noticed Drummond last summer at the Grand View Team Camp, he was good then, but he’s come a long way. He can now be considered one of the state’s best ball-handlers, and he could always shoot it. He’ll be bumped up from his current No. 186 spot.
2019 Robert Mosey, 6’3 SF (Showtime Hoopers 17U)
Currently unranked in Iowa’s 2019 rankings, Mosey will certainly make his debut in the next installment this fall. He’s a tall and athletic wing, who showed some flashes of electric play when we saw him. Mosey averaged 9.6 points per game as a sophomore with the North Stars, and should post nice numbers this season as a junior.