Drake Team Camp: Takeaways
Austin Ash We’ve written some about Austin Ash over the past two years, and we’ve always loved his ability to shoot the ball. It was great to see him win the 3-point contest last July against a national field at…
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Continue ReadingAustin Ash
We’ve written some about Austin Ash over the past two years, and we’ve always loved his ability to shoot the ball. It was great to see him win the 3-point contest last July against a national field at the Hardwood Classic in Kansas City. But he was absolutely sensational last weekend in Des Moines, and that one NAIA offer he holds from Clarke will not stand alone for long. Ash is a precision shooter and is a savvy and smart player, particularly off-the-ball while trying to get himself open. Division II coaches should be getting in the mix with this 6-foot-2 elite shooter.
Roosevelt
Easily the most interesting team this June has been Des Moines Roosevelt. Charles Zanders has brought in two very talented transfers, and added them to a crop talent coming back that was already looking to make some noise in the CIML. Cade Moritz comes to the ‘Riders from Norwalk and has been absolutely sensational with his new team, he’s one of 2018’s biggest stock-risers. Jaquon Hemphill has potential to be a special talent, he comes from Iowa City West, and is another 2018 who could be a top-20 player in the class if he can see the floor and keep everything else outside of basketball in-line. Existing Roughriders Ethan Shafer and Mhiyu Thomas will be leaders of this team, Thomas could be a superstar next season. And incoming varsity guys Jamie Spinks and Landon Ingle are big and long wings who will provide some shut-down defense. If the team can come together and mesh on somewhat short notice, then watch out for the Roughriders next season.
Trojan 2018s
The Trojans have been graced with more superstar players over the last two decades than maybe any other program in Iowa, and this year’s team is no exception (McCaffery borthers, Devontae Lane). But it’s an incoming crop of juniors that could be the difference-maker for a team trying to get over the hump next winter. Seybian Sims is a 6-foot-6 forward who has been one of the team’s most pivotal players this June, he could be a starter. And guards Evan Flitz and Jake Anderson both have been seeing the floor plenty with this team while other star players are absent. Hakeem Odunsi hasn’t been with the team much this June, but is another intriguing incoming junior with great size and length, who will make a major impact next season. All of these 2018s would start with most 4A teams in the state as juniors, yet will be asked to play much smaller roles on another loaded West squad. But they could very well be the difference between early out at the state tournament, or 4A champs.
2020
It’s time to start implementing the class of 2020 into our content stream. And the first recruiting report we’ve done from the incoming freshman class is on Norwalk point guard Bowen Born. The Iowa Barnstormer product is the son of former Iowa State guard Michael Born, and this kid’s skill-level is off the charts. How he does of the things he does at 5-foot-7 is remarkable. And his high-motor and defensive intensity are nearly equally as impressive. He’ll be a key player on a good 4A team next season, and we’re eager to follow his career. But where does he rank among other 2020 guys in the class? Look for a “Watch List” to be released in the coming months on our site. And the first 2020 rankings will be compiled sometime this winter.
Valley
Last season’s 4A champs lost an elite point guard, Turner Scott, and a Division I caliber wing, Carlo Marble. But is it possible they could be better this season? They have a chance to be just as good, and will almost certainly be a contender for a 4A title again. Quinton Curry returns as a dominant and diverse wing/post hybrid, and Charley Crowley has developed into one of the best bigs in the state. Added to that already big frontcourt is 6-foot-8 2018 Blake Brinkmeyer, who is a dynamic athlete with supreme length. Incoming sophomore Trayvon Williams is emerging as one of that class’s best players. And a stable of guards — Carter Frey, Austin Hinkle, Reese Skinner — look to add some perimeter prowess for the Tigers. They could repeat as 4A champs. Consider them one of the early favorites.