Iowa July Live Period: 2016 Stock Risers
With the final evaluation period now behind us, we take a look at some of the players in the Class of 2016 that elevated their stocks throughout July. Ted Brown Ted Brown, C, West Des Moines Dowling (Iowa Barnstormers) — The…
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Continue ReadingWith the final evaluation period now behind us, we take a look at some of the players in the Class of 2016 that elevated their stocks throughout July.
Ted Brown
Ted Brown, C, West Des Moines Dowling (Iowa Barnstormers) — The big man looks the part, physically, of an NFL left tackle. But his size shouldn’t fool you, as Brown is a highly skilled post player, and one of the best back-to-the-basket bigs you’ll find in the state. He’s got solid, developing footwork, that he pairs with good touch and superior strength that he uses to carve out good post position. He’s got the ability to score with either hand in the paint, and has worked on improving his range. He’s a good man post defender, using that strength to not allow the opposition to get good positioning, and he’s a terror on the glass on both ends of the floor. Brown was impressive throughout July, and his play led to his first Division I offer from Western Illinois. With a big senior year for the Maroons on the horizon, don’t be surprised if a few more mid-majors shoot an offer Brown’s way, as they look for a physical, intimidating interior player.
Jordan Bohannon, PG, Linn-Mar (Martin Brothers) — Other than perhaps grassroots teammate Ryan Kriener, no player boosted their stock more than Bohannon this summer. The 6’0″ point guard entered his 17U season with a few mid-major offers, then added an offer from DePaul in June. He’s now got schools like Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas Tech and more looking at him after having a sensational summer with Martin Brothers. He’s always been viewed as more of a scoring guard, and while he’s still great in that regard, his pure point guard play developed over the course of his final grassroots season, helping to facilitate for his teammates, tightening up his ball handling and become a plus-passer. He’s still got his quick release and unlimited range, but he’s developed into a more complete player. High-majors still haven’t pulled the trigger and offered him, but from the sounds of it, that may be changing as more dominoes continue to fall across the country. Bohannon looks like he could be the next Linn-Mar guard to go high-major.
Riley Till, GF, Dubuque Wahlert (Iowa Mavericks) — The long, athletic wing was often overshadowed on a loaded Wahlert team that won their 2nd straight 3A title in March, averaging just a shade over 5 points a game, but Till enjoyed a breakout spring and summer as one of the lead dogs for the Mavericks top team. He’s got great size (6’7″) which he uses to disrupt opponents on the defensive end, as well as grab rebounds that he probably doesn’t have much business grabbing. His offensive skill set is a work in progress, but the perimeter game is steadily developing, and his strong play has led to an offer from Division II Truman State. With Nolan Timp and Josh Carter gone, Till will be asked to slide into the starting shooting guard spot for the Golden Eagles, a spot in which he could flourish with his fantastic size. He’s in line for a big senior season, and is a name that many area Division II’s should be keeping an eye on.
Keaton Van Soelen, SF, Des Moines Christian (Kingdom Hoops Elite) — Van Soelen has put his name on the map of at least one Division I team, with Sam Houston State extending an offer to the athletic wing after his play in Kansas City a few weekends ago. Van Soelen is a very athletic small forward with decent (6’7″) size. He attacks the rim relentlessly, loves to crash the offensive glass and may have provided the highlight of my July viewings with a putback dunk in Milwaukee in which he came out of nowhere and caught the whole crowd by surprise. He’s a solid perimeter shooter, can put the ball on the floor and loves to finish above the rim (or draw contact attempting to). He’s become a good shooter off the bounce and can effectively score at each level. There’s a lot to like about this intriguing, athletic wing player who is about to have a monster senior year at Des Moines Christian.
Camry Moore, PG, Waverly-Shell Rock (Iowa Prep) — Despite splitting time between a state champion baseball team and Iowa Prep on the grassroots circuit, Moore had a solid summer in the events he was able to play in, elevating his stock. The lead guard will be asked to carry a heavier scoring load with Jake Velky graduated, something he looks to be capable of doing. His jumper has steadily improved, and he can now score at all three levels. He’s a good ball handler with great speed that he can use to get to the rim. He’s also become a very good facilitator. Defensively, he’s effective playing both on-and-off the ball. His play has led to some interest from the lone Division II in the state, Upper Iowa, and he should be on the radar of other Midwest Division II programs.
Beau Klostermann, GF, Linn-Mar (Iowa Mavericks) — A bench player for Linn-Mar last season, Klostermann showcased his pure scoring ability throughout the spring and summer for the Mavericks. The lefty is a lanky wing prospect who has a natural scorer’s instinct and can do so at all three levels. His ball handling is steadily improving, he’s able to get hot from deep and he loves to attack the rim. His play has led to some Division II interest, with Nebraska-Kearney contacting his grassroots coach, Tyler Cleveland, as well as Truman State expressing interest. Midwest NAIA and Division III programs should be all over Klostermann’s ability to provide scoring pop from the wing, and Division II’s should certainly be keeping an eye on him.
Levi Jansen, SG, MOC-Floyd Valley (Martin Brothers) — One of the primary players for a Martin Brothers team that won the AAU National Championship in Louisville a few weeks ago, Jansen’s play in the spring led to a pair of scholarship offers, from South Dakota and Nebraska-Omaha. His play in the summer should, in time, lead to more. He’s a cerebral player who isn’t going to overwhelm you with athleticism, but he’s a phenomenal shooter who is in range as soon as he steps in the gym. He’s a master of moving both with and without the ball to create space for him to get his shot off, and he’s got a quick, smooth release on his jumper. His footwork is good, his ball handling is solid and he’s got a skill that translates as well as any other to the next level – his shooting. All Midwest mid-major programs should have Jansen on their radar and there will likely be a host of Division I schools taking in his games throughout the coming winter.