Five 2027s Who Could Take a Major Leap in 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2164515' first='Jaxson' last='Bean'] | Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong lefty lead guard who gained some valuable experience playing alongside star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] during his sophomore year, Bean averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 assists, and posted a 2.64 assist-to-turnover ratio last season. Following the graduations of Kennedy's top three scorers, lots of opportunity as both a scorer and a playmaker have opened up for Bean, who could emerge as one of the state's elite guards in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='2381213' first='Jude' last='Hazell'] | Cedar Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hazell appeared in just one varsity game as a sophomore for the team that spent a majority of the season ranked #1 in the state, but he could emerge as a major player during his junior year for a Tigers team that needs to replace three key rotation pieces. A long, lanky wing who can defend multiple positions and compete hard on the glass, he should step into a big role in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum'] | Solon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm still working to confirm that the son of new Iowa head coach Ben McCollum will be playing at Solon, but all indications seem to be pointing in that direction. For the Spartans, the high IQ shotmaker can step in and make an immediate impact with his feel, shotmaking, and ability to create looks for his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id='2754666' first='Brody' last='Burke'] | Dallas Center-Grimes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burke showed some flashes last season as a sophomore, averaging 3.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and shooting 50% from the floor. A long, 6-7/6-8 big man who runs the floor really well, he has had a strong start to the spring, looking comfortable handling the ball, occasionally stepping out and stretching the floor, and serving as a dominant rim protector. Look for his numbers to skyrocket as a junior focal point of a young, talented Mustangs team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2370429' first='Peter' last='Wedewer'] | Wahlert Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After spending a majority of the season on the sophomore team last year, Wedewer was a late call-up to the varsity and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. His speed, decisiveness with the ball in his hands, and vision make him a difficult matchup on the offensive end of the floor, and he's a scrappy on-ball defender who moves his feet really well and he has great hands. Wahlert lost a ton of production to graduation, and the Golden Eagles may be Wedewer's team in his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->