Prospect Spotlight: Michael Duax (2021)
There’s been several Duax boys that have come through the Dubuque, Hempstead system since we started Prep Hoops Iowa in 2014, and rising sophomore Michael Duax might end up being the best of the bunch.
Iowa’s Class of 2021 has been playing the 15U circuit all spring, and it looks like it could be another strong one. Duax should see himself near the top of those forthcoming prospect rankings.
“My skill-set as a player is that I’m pretty long and athletic, and can play multiple positions. I’m a strong rebounder with good jumping ability,” said the 6-foot-3 guard.
He played up with the Hempstead sophomore team last season as a freshman, and is looking forward to possibly have a big impact with the varsity as a sophomore.
“As a freshman, I played for the sophomore team and I’m pretty happy with how that went. We tied for conference champs, and I feel like I was a strong contributor to our team’s success,” said Duax.
“Next season, I expect to be playing on the varsity team. I’m excited about that, and it will force me to step-up my game against the upperclassmen.”
He’s been playing his offseason ball with one of the Midwest’s best 15U squads, Martin Brothers, and has been working out plenty on his own, too.
“This spring, I have been in the weight room getting stronger while also working hard on my ball-handling and shooting, so I can be a threat from multiple positions,” Duax said.
“Martin Bros. is going well, we have great team chemistry and we continue to compete and win against some of the strongest AAU programs out there.”
He spent his June with Hempstead at various high school team camps, and will be back to the AAU grind in July with Martin Brothers. As a 15U guy, there’s not a lot of recruitment going on, that’s usually reserved for 16U and 17U guys (except for the elite of the elite). Duax has seen some indicators of recruitment coming in, though.
“I’m not sure I would call it recruitment, but I did receive some letters of interest from schools like UNI and Iowa and some other camp invitations to schools such as Central Michigan, Wisconsin, and Wayne State,” said Duax.
“I would love to play basketball in college, and my goals are to do so at the Division 1 or 2 levels. I’m really looking forward to the summer AAU schedule, and I can’t wait for the high school season to get started as well.”