Ranking Iowa's top 15 basketball prospects in the 2021 class, v2.0
Matthew BainEntering the all-important July recruiting periods, here's an updated version of the Register's top 15 in-state 2021 basketball prospects.
This ranking is based on observations and conversations with recruiting contacts at the collegiate and high school levels.
1. Chase Courbat, PF, Cedar Falls
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-foot-9
Previous ranking: 1
So far this spring and summer, Courbat has earned an offer from Northern Iowa and interest from Drake, Iowa, Creighton and Stanford — the last of which he visited for their elite camp in early July. Courbat has a high floor. He's a nimble big with a versatile offensive game and the ability to switch on defense.
2. Michael Duax, SF, Dubuque Hempstead
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-5
Previous ranking: 5
Duax has also picked up an offer from UNI, plus interest from Drake, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska-Omaha, Belmont and South Dakota State. He's a jack of all trades who affects the game much like Nicholas Baer did with the Hawkeyes. Excellent shooter. High-flying athlete. Hard worker. A complete player.
MORE: Check out our top 15 recruiting prospects for the 2020 class
3. Tucker DeVries, SF, Waukee
AAU team: OSA Crusaders
Height: 6-5
Previous ranking: 8
DeVries has shot up big boards and earned offers from Drake, Air Force and SDSU. IoOmaha and Kansas have also expressed interest, thanks to his college body, college shot and positional versatility. He's an active defender with a 40-percent 3-point stroke, and his stock will only increase as his agility improves.
4. Payton Sandfort, SF, Waukee
AAU team: Kingdom Hoops
Height: 6-6
Previous ranking: 9
Sandfort was lights-out from long range at the high school showcase in June, earning offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Utah, Drake and Air Force. Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Butler, UNI and Pepperdine are also interested. He isn't yet a great athlete, but Sandfort is already a 45-percent 3-point shooter in a 6-6 frame, and his work ethic is excellent.
5. Marcus Morgan, CG, Iowa City West
AAU team: All Iowa Attack
Height: 6-2
Previous ranking: 10
Morgan is a well-rounded guard who shows no significant weaknesses. Indiana State, Loyola, SDSU and UNI are among those interested. Morgan plays within himself and makes his team better. He might not be a pure point yet, but he can shoot, he's smart and he embraces defense.
6. Ryan Riggs, PF, Dowling Catholic
AAU team: OSA Crusaders
Height: 6-8
Previous ranking: 2
Another well-rounded big with plenty to like on both ends, Riggs looked the part as a sophomore at Dowling. Although he's not the biggest post, he's got nice footwork and ability. Iowa State, Drake and Creighton have been among those monitoring him.
7. Jadin Johnson, PG, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-4
Previous ranking: 6
There's a lot of promise with Johnson. He's got excellent size and length for a Division I point guard. Although his defense shines brighter than his offense right now, his stroke is pure and the scoring tools are there. A lot of schools are monitoring his development, including Iowa, Drake, UNI, Providence, Wake Forest, SDSU and Marshall.
8. Emarion Ellis, CG, Davenport Central
AAU team: Iowa Barnstormers
Height: 6-3
Previous ranking: 12
Ellis is no longer an unknown in Iowa. The super-athletic guard shot up to No. 12 in our first rankings, and he's jumped four more spots in this one. He still has plenty of room to develop, but he is a long, bouncy athlete with slick handles and truly intriguing potential. Illinois, Drake, Chicago State and UNI have shown interest.
9. Karson Sharar, SG, Iowa Falls-Alden
AAU team: All Iowa Attack
Height: 6-1
Previous ranking: 4
One of the state's top perimeter scorers, Sharar is a ready-made scorer at the low- to mid-major level. Although his size is not ideal as a shooting guard, he is confident, decisive and electric on offense. He'll look to have a big junior season after an injury-shortened sophomore year.
10. Angelo Winkel, PF, Bishop Garrigan
AAU team: Iowa Barnstormers
Height: 6-8
Previous ranking: 7
Winkel could be ranked higher based on talent, but his recruitment has hit a couple speed bumps. After switching AAU teams twice, he's now with the Iowa Barnstormers, and both parties feel like it's the best fit he's had. Winkel is a bouncy forward with great athleticism, and Loyola, UNI, Chicago State, Omaha and Oral Roberts are tracking him.
11. Jaylon Moses, SF/PF, Cedar Rapids Xavier
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-8
Previous ranking: 3
As a 6-8 kid who can stretch his game to the 3-point line, Moses has nice upside as a stretch forward or even a big wing. He is still rusty and getting acclimated to the speed of the game after back-to-back ACL tears kept him out for nearly two years, but he has plenty of time. Wake Forest, Creighton and Holy Cross are among those tracking him.
12. Keaton Kutcher, SG, Mount Vernon
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-1
Previous ranking: 11
Kutcher is a shooter, plain and simple. That's his calling card, and that's what will earn him college minutes. He's got a shot to be a 50/40/90 guy over the next two years; he shot 45.3% overall, 42.7% on 3-pointers and 87.8% on free throws this year. Western Illinois has offered. UNI and Illinois State are among those also monitoring him.
13. Caleb Schlaak, SF, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6-7
Previous ranking: 13
A 6-7 sophomore with skills and a promising 3-point shot, Schlaak is far from a finished product, but he's got the pieces coaches look for in a college wing. Loyola, Cornell and Omaha have reached out, and he's looking to visit Loyola before too long. UNI has an eye on him, too.
14. Cooper DeJean, G, OABCIG
AAU team: Martin Bros
Height: 6 feet
Previous ranking: Unranked
We'll see what level DeJean winds up at, but he'll be a bulldog wherever he lands. He's productive and deceptively athletic and skilled. His size isn't great, and you could say he's built more like a football player. But he defends hard and simply gets his job done.
15. Jake Layman, SF, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
AAU team: South Dakota Attack
Height: 6-7
Previous ranking: Unranked
When you're 6-7 with some skill and can shoot nearly 40 percent from long range as a sophomore, you're going to get noticed. That has happened for Layman, who earned an invite to the NCAA camp in Illinois in late July. He still needs to add plenty of bulk and strength. But good things happen to long shooters.
Matthew Bain covers recruiting, Iowa/Iowa State athletics and Drake basketball for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.