2022 Rankings Update: A Look at the Top Ten
With our rankings overhaul coming out over the next few days, we are going to be pushing a ton of rankings content onto the site. First, we will have a look at the newly oriented top ten in the state,…
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Continue ReadingWith our rankings overhaul coming out over the next few days, we are going to be pushing a ton of rankings content onto the site. First, we will have a look at the newly oriented top ten in the state, followed by positional breakdowns in each class. The 2022 rankings came out today so let’s dive right into the Top Ten.
#1 Hannah Stuelke – 6’1 PF – Cedar Rapids Washington – All Iowa Attack EYBL 2021
Stuelke is the no doubt top player in this class. She’s already verbally committed to Iowa, but that doesn’t give her the top spot on its own. She’s such a talented player and simply is ahead of any other player in the 2022 class in terms of skill. Fluidity is the name of her game and she’s been great attacking the basket this year. Stuelke is also starting to stretch her game out more towards the perimeter. A can’t miss prospect and currently Iowa’s only committed 2022.
#2 Jada Gyamfi – 6′ PF – Urbandale – All Iowa Attack EYBL 2021
Gyamfi is another player like Stuelke who is so good around the basket. She’s more of a point-forward with the way that she can handle the ball, but I believe she’ll get to the next level and be either on the wing in a big lineup, or in the post for a small lineup. Gyamfi has shown a lot of poise over the past year and has really rocketed up the board. When Gyamfi plays with toughness, it’s really hard to see a difference between her and Stuelke. Gyamfi is an elite forward prospect when she hits her ceiling.
#3 Ava Hawthorne – 5’10 PG – Gilbert – All Iowa Attack EYBL 2021
Hawthorne is the top guard on this list and for good reason. She’s a true floor general with the ability to get the offense moving very quickly. Hawthorne has the ability to shoot the ball from the outside really well, but she can also get to the rim and score through contact. Very good rebounder from the guard spot and she’s a player who doesn’t have to score to impact the game. She’s a crazy strong guard who is much stronger than you think. Hawthorne is one of the better guard in the state right now, regardless of class.
#4 Ryley Goebel – 5’11 SF – Center Point-Urbana – Team Iowa
Goebel is a really intriguing piece, and one with a load of potential. She’s still finding her way but really jumped onto the map during the state tournament as she led Center Point-Urbana to the state championship. Efficient scorer on the inside and has good touch out to about 6′ from the rim. Once she develops a mid-range game her recruiting is really going to take off. One of the best defenders in the state and is going to be a very fun player to watch over the next few years.
#5 Taylor Veach – 5’9 SG – Central DeWitt – Lady Martin Brothers
Veach has really improved her game over the summer months and has squarely placed herself in the middle of the top ten. Powerful guard who can switch seamlessly between spots 1-3. Veach is unlike any other guard in the class because she can switch onto bigs and defend them or take on quick guards without giving up foot speed. Offensively, the lefty can score both on the perimeter and in the post making her one of the most versatile players in the 2022 class.
#6 Brooklyn Meyer – 6’2 C – West Lyon – SD Attack
Meyer has been a hot topic as of late, and many don’t know of her coming from a small 2A school in the far northwest corner of the state. She is playing summer basketball for SD Atttack which makes sense due to the fact that West Lyon sits just 4.5 miles from the state line (and 7.5 miles from Minnesota). Meyer holds two offers currently and the strong post can score on the inside with anyone in the state. She’s a workhorse on the boards and has great hands around the rim. Might have the highest potential in the class.
#7 Jada Williams – 5’9 – PG – Mason City – North Iowa Fire
Williams is the next point guard prospect on the board and is the most athletic guard in the class. She didn’t play a ton last season at Mason City, but will be a focal point this upcoming season. She’s a smart player with a lot of ball skill. Williams is the ultra competitor and she will bring it on both ends of the floor. Her ability to get by defenders with her speed is special and is something that coaches notice right away. When the shot comes along, she is going to be a breakout candidate.
#8 Allie Meadows – 5’8 PG – Central DeWitt – Lady Martin Brothers
Meadows comes from a very talented family and she’s the next in line to be one of the top players in the state. She has good floor vision and is very strong with the ball. Meadows is a prototypical scoring point guard with the ability to lead the offense but also score the ball when needed. Her ability to get downhill and attack the basket is amongst the best in the state and she has been knocking down a ton of shots this summer. I think her next jump comes when her quickness/acceleration climbs up a little higher.
#9 Reagan Barkema 6′ SF – Roland-Story – All Iowa Attack
Barkema had been a player who I first noticed during the high school season. Her skillset was raw, but I knew that she had all the tools to improve and make her mark on the state. I saw Barkema again at the state tournament and she looked more comfortable within her body, but her shot had to come a bit farther to crack the top ten. Now, Barkema is showing us that she is a premier player in the class. She’s smooth, long, and athletic and adds the ability to score the ball at a great rate at the rim and from beyond the arc.
#10 Brooklynn Smith 6’2 C – Waterloo West – Iowa Blue Star
Like Meyer, Smith is an unknown commodity in the state. Smith is in the same spot that Barkema was in just 12 months ago as needing to improve a few things within her game. She has a lot of potential and once she realizes it could be a top five player in the state. She shows flashes of insane talent but needs to improve scoring efficiency around the rim. Smith is going to be counted on this winter to take a huge step forward for Waterloo West. There is a lot to work with and you can’t teach height.