Iowa Top 250-Expo: Team 10 Evaluations
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Competing at the 2023 IA Top 250 Expo were 90+ players, separated into 12 different teams. As well as being a scout in the building for the day, I was also a coach on Court 3. I had the privilege…
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Continue ReadingCompeting at the 2023 IA Top 250 Expo were 90+ players, separated into 12 different teams. As well as being a scout in the building for the day, I was also a coach on Court 3. I had the privilege of coaching Team 10, a handful of times throughout the event, giving me an inside look as to what each player excels at individually and what they need work on moving forward. I will be listing each player by their jersey number assigned at the event (for video purposes if someone wants to look back on BallerTV), name, current height, current position, & the high school they are currently attending.
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#403 – Victor Ward Victor Ward 5'10" | PG Charles City | 2026 State IA – 2026 – 5’10 – PG – Charles City High School
Victor Ward Victor Ward 5'10" | PG Charles City | 2026 State IA was a point guard that showed off his skills at leading his team on Sunday. Ward was setting up his teammates, distributing off of the catch and dribble, and communicating really well to everyone around him. These are small things that college recruiters love to see at events like that. Players that can fit into a system and make things better, no matter the teammates on the floor around them. Ward did a fantastic job of showing that off to a T on Sunday.
#444 – Cameron Mullen Cameron Mullen 6'1" | SG Union | 2026 State IA – 2026 – 6’1 – SG – Union High School
Someone who showed glimpses of doing everything at a consistent rate was Cameron Mullen Cameron Mullen 6'1" | SG Union | 2026 State IA on Sunday. Mullen was moving all over the floor and competing his tail off on both sides of the ball. He is a player that I would consider to be a mix of a glue guy and a high energy player. He doesn’t ever stop his motion on the floor while being very good when given a second to set up his shot from deep. I didn’t know much about Mullens’ game before Sunday but after see him up close, I think he could produce at Union high school over the next three years. No question about it.
#451 – Noah Kading Noah Kading 6'3" | SG ACGC | 2025 State IA – 2025 – 6’2 – SG/CG – ACGC High School
Noah Kading Noah Kading 6'3" | SG ACGC | 2025 State IA had the task of staying on and guarding the best guards all day and he held his own. He was matched up against some guards that were truly showing off what they could really do at an elite level and Kading had no issue staying with them, contesting everything they were trying to set into motion. Offensively, he was fundamental. He didn’t blow me away with crazy moves but took what the defense gave him and sometimes that’s the best situation for someone to succeed. Overall, Kading had a day he should be proud of. His defense spoke volumes and I didn’t see that out of too many players on Sunday.
#459 – Zahj Collins Zahj Collins 6'5" | SF Roosevelt | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 6’5 – CG – Roosevelt High School
I had the chance of coaching Zahj Collins Zahj Collins 6'5" | SF Roosevelt | 2024 State IA last year at this event and I have the same exact reaction now, that I did then, wow. Collins is a 6’5 combo guard that is a smooth operator with the basketball. He can score at Will against any opponents and isn’t afraid to mix it up, becoming more physical as the game progresses on. I’m not sure what offers Collins has but I would but shocked if he isn’t playing college ball. He is a hooper with all the intangibles to produce at the college level. There is just no other way to put it. Not to mention, he is a player that just wants to hoop. Doesn’t matter where or when and those are the best players.
#476 – Hunter Hughes Hunter Hughes 6'3" | PG WACO | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 6’3 – SG – WACO High School
Hunter Hughes Hunter Hughes 6'3" | PG WACO | 2024 State IA has a flame thrower from deep and it was on full display on Sunday when he was participating on Court 3. Hughes was lighting it up from deep, assisting his teammates cutting to the basket, and was getting a ton of steals on the defensive side of the ball. So if you know Hughes game, the usual business. Waco High School is going to have a shot this winter at making some noise in 1A and that charge is going to be lead by Hughes. If he can be consistent and produce each game, even when he can’t hit jump shots, you better watch out.
#478 – Dane Geetings Dane Geetings 6'3" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 6’3 – CG – Pella Christian High School
From everything that I have seen out of Dane Geetings Dane Geetings 6'3" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA these past few months, I’m expecting a big high school season at Pella Christian for the senior. Geetings is a work horse, who doesn’t take no for an answer out there on the floor. He is 6’3 and is extremely strong with his takes to the basket once he gets down hill against an opponent. At events like these the refs will usually let you play a little bit and that’s exactly what they were doing on Sunday. Physical play was allowed and Geetings did a good job at excelling because of that. His efficient and consistent game is going to be a crucial piece to the Pella Christian puzzle this season, I’m excited to see what they can put together.
#507 – Eli Menke Eli Menke 6'4" | SF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA – 2024 – 6’4 – SG – Lake Mills High School
Another player that I would categorize as a catch and shoot killer would be Eli Menke Eli Menke 6'4" | SF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA . Menke is a player who loves to spot up from deep and bury some big three’s to help extend his teams lead. He possesses good size at 6’4 and uses all of that height to shoot over smaller opponents that matchup with him. I would like Menke to post up a little more against some smaller defenders but he understands his game to a T and I can’t knock him for that.