2024 Player Rankings Update: Paint Producers
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Being a producer on the floor isn’t about just being good at one thing. Being a producer means that you can produce for your team in multiple ways when things get difficult. The five players that I have highlighted below…
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Continue ReadingBeing a producer on the floor isn’t about just being good at one thing. Being a producer means that you can produce for your team in multiple ways when things get difficult. The five players that I have highlighted below are all individuals that play the Forward/Center positions on the court and they all produce at consistent/high rates while doing so.
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I first had the opportunity to see Erica Rust Erica Rust 6’0″ | C Harlen Community | 2024 State IA compete this Summer at a high school shootout and she impressed me on several different levels. Rust is a player that one day could compete at the college level. She has some size, coordination, and balance near the basket while also being a playmaker on both sides of the floor. On almost every possession, Rust has her presence known. She is either dominating her matchup with her back to the basket or she is moving off of the ball at a high rate, making her defender spread out to the perimeter so that her teammates can attack the rim. I know that Rust has a few collegiate offers floating out there at the moment, now where will she end up? I’m not exactly sure but if she is used in the correct situations, she is going to produce at whatever level she is competing at.
Missy Evezic Missy Evezic 6’4″ | C St. Alberts | 2024 State IA demonstrated some real promise this AAU spring/summer season and I’m ready to see more of it this winter at St. Albert’s High School. Evezic is one of the tallest players throughout the state of Iowa and she lets that be known each and every contest. She stands at 6’4 and has some muscle mass to go along with that as well. This is one of those players that as a coach, you can set up for success each time down the floor. If Evezic can get some screening action away from the ball, so that she can cleanly catch in the lane, it’s over for smaller defenders. Another “gift” this team and Evezic has is the ability to set some major screens. If these screens aren’t spoken about ahead of time, I expect St. Albert’s to dominate their matchup. All in all, I would keep an eye on Missy moving forward. There is some foundation here to build on and I can’t wait to see that unfold over the next few months.
Highlights
This winter is going to be a big one for Audrey Kosky Audrey Kosky 6’1″ | PF Storm Lake | 2024 State IA of Storm Lake High School. Kosky is a 6’1 Center/Power Forward with a soft touch on the ball and balanced coordination in the paint. She does great job of moving effortlessly from one side of the floor to the other, while also being smart enough to outmaneuver her opponents, if they ever happen to cut her off. Over this past few months, Kosky has demonstrated that she is a consistent talent in the middle for whatever team she is lacing up with and that is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. There is too many times when players at this age, don’t play their actual position and they become worse/lose opportunities because of that. I would say that Kosky is doing the compete opposite of that and has been playing into her strengths more-so this past year. Which, in the end, will give her an opportunity to play at the collegiate level in the end because of it. Something you love to see out of a player that works as hard as Kosky does.
Highlights
Averie Ryan Averie Ryan 5’10” | PF Johnston | 2024 State IA won’t be the tallest player on her Johnston team this season but that shouldn’t stop her from seeing the floor a good amount and being a main contributor at the Forward position. Ryan, a Grand View Women’s Basketball Commit, has put together some nice seasons over the past few years for the Dragons but this upcoming should be their most fun yet. With the addition of Amani Jenkins Amani Jenkins 6’2″ | C Johnston | 2025 State IA in the middle, this will free up Ryan to move around a little bit more. She is going to have the chance to show what she can do at the 4 spot throughout some games this season and if she is successful there, that’s where I would imagine she will play the rest of the season. Now at the collegiate level, it could be different depending on what type of recruiting Class is coming in around her. There is a lot of determining factors that can make/break teams but as long as the players stay dedicated and work hard, it’ll all level out in the end. Ryan works hard so I’m not concerned. In my opinion, she will thrive no matter the situation when she is on the court.
An individual with a versatile play-style on the floor is Truman State commit Sophia Hope Sophia Hope 6’0″ | PF Waukee | 2024 State IA . Hope can play the Forward position or she can move into the Combo Guard role on the high school floor. Her ability to do things fundamentally is what puts her ahead of most others for me. When you combined that with her size, strength, and smarts, you get a producer at any level. Waukee High School has some hoopers this season. Multiple players that will play at the collegiate level, Hope included. If they can “click” early on in the year and play for one another, they will could make a State run once the playoffs begin. It’ll all start from the front with Hope but she is more than good enough to lead this team to have a year they will never forget and I can’t wait to see it unfold first hand.