Following on the heels of the Pangos Best of Arizona League that started Thursday June 4th at Skyline Prep (Phoenix AZ), the Pangos Best of Iowa League tipped off at the Coal Mine in Urbandale IA and gave several of the Hawkeye State’s top players (as well as a few Nebraska prospects) a chance to take the floor, compete and show-off their skills to those in attendance as well as many more watching the games on the Ballertv.com live-stream. Besides myself, other scouts in the building included Colin Brown (Next Ones/College Basketball Insider) and Eric and Johnny Hines and Darrell Coleman from Courtside Films were in the house shooting highlights. Drue Wolfe was present taking top-quality photos and Iowa Hawkeye assistant Billy Taylor was also on-hand, watching his son, promising young 6-2 2023 Savion Taylor (Iowa City West/Iowa City IA).
Full length video re-plays of all 4 Pangos Best of Iowa League games on opening night are now available on replay from Baller TV: https://www.ballertv.com/events/pangos-best-of-iowa-league
Here is a look at several of the top prospects that impressed me:
* Tyler Andrews 6’4” 2021 Kimball Union Academy (Meriden NH)
Cedar Rapids IA native might be one of the biggest sleepers in the nation. Strong & explosive big wing rebounds well and is always in attack mode. Tyler has nice ballhandling skills that allows him to create his own shot and has solid perimeter shooting range too. Excellent student (3.6 GPA) had 15 loud points here on opening night.
Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271289880228753408
* Chase Courbat 6’10” 2021 Cedar Falls (IA)
Strong and agile post-forward has a Northern Iowa offer and is quickly shaping up as a potential Big 10 target in 2021. Great length allows him to be a force on the glass and as a rim-protector. Excellent student (3.8 GPA) has nice footwork and post moves (including a soft jump hook), reads pick-n-roll situations well and is a good passer out the post.
* Emarion Ellis 6’6” 2021 Assumption (Davenport IA)
Slithery slashing scorer and opportunity 3-point shot maker is also a very capable defender.
Lengthy and very athletic, solid 2-way player is disruptive in the passing lanes, can create off the dribble and plays with a high motor. Iowa, Bryant (offer), Bradley and Utah State are among the programs showing interest. Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271490714917011457
* Malik Allen 6’0” 2021 Waukee (IA)
Assertive and confident scorer exploded for an opening night-high 37 points. Showed deep range, use of an effective floater as well as air-tight ball handling skills. Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271423731471200261
* Blaise Porter 6’0” 2023 New London (IA)
Smooth operator at the PG position, Porter has great feel, very good creator skills and can finish with grace at the rim. Scored 14 points and made plays for teammates as well as himself. HM potential. Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271293394854109184
* Manny Austin 6’2” 2021 Hoover (Des Moines IA)
Very creative and crafty scorer as well as elusive ballhandler had 17 points. Confident alpha-male on-court personality also has nice athleticism to finish at the rim. Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271423731471200261
* Keaton Kutcher 6’2” 2021 Mount Vernon (IA)
Tough and hardnosed lead guard has a very smooth Heartland perimeter stroke. Good student (3.2 GPA) is also a pesky defender.
* Landon Wolf 6’5” 2021 Cedar Falls (IA)
Rangy, athletic and skilled wing with size produced 20 points in a variety of ways including via a very smooth jump shot. Top shelf student (4.0 GPA) moves well without the ball, is active on both ends and has nice feel for the game. Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271490714917011457
* Tethloach Tut 6’6” 2021 TSF (Atlanta GA)
Sudanese import and Omaha NE resident is a very athletic swingman that was extremely active here and that energy on both ends of the floor proved to be very productive, especially on the offensive end (24 points).
* James Glenn 6’1” 2021 Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill IA)
Nice spot-up shooter and cerebral distributor has 19 points as well as several nice assists.
Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271289880228753408
* Jack Groeteke 6’10” 2021 Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines IA)
Sharpshooting face-up center is rangy and has not peaked physically yet. Outstanding student (4.0 GPA) netted 13 points.
* Drew Kingery 6’4” 2023 Indianola (IA)
Good looking young SG with nice long distance shooting range moves well without the ball and is an excellent student (3.9 GPA). Looks to be an attractive Ivy and Patriot league target with potential to be higher.
* Mason Morrow 6’1” 2022 Valley (West Des Moines Valley IA)
Skilled all-around PG can get to the rim is also an excellent table-setter. 3-sport athlete and off-the-charts student (4.2 GPA) scored 16 points.
* Jaren Marshall 6’1” 2021 Central (Omaha Central NE)
Strong combo-guard knows how to create off the dribble and find open teammates (17 points). Video: https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1271490714917011457
* Fai Germany 6’3” 2021 Central (Omaha NE)
Germany is a wing that shot it well here (25 points) especially from mid-range.
* Mach Nyaw 6’1” 2020 DME Academy (Dayton Beach FL)
Unsigned senior guard with 3-point range (had 19 points) looks to be a top JC target.
* Abdul Bashir 6’3” 2023 Bryan (Omaha NE)
3-point shooter was on-point on opening night (18 points).
* Trey Campbell 6’4” 2022 Cedar Falls (IA)
Promising lead guard with nice length has a versatile skill set.
* Joe Knutson 6’8” 2021 Cedar Falls (IA)
Rugged rebounder can score in the post despite contact. Terrific in the classroom (“A” student) has committed to DII program Truman State in Kirksville MO.
* Diondre Taylor 5’10” 2021 North (Des Moines IA)
Quick scoring PG connected for 17 points.
* Padraig J. Gallagher 6’4” 2023 Beckman Catholic (IA)
Effective driver to the rim scored at a high clip here (18 points).
* Kade Benjamin 6’5” 2023 New London (IA)
Long and athletic young WF can score at the rim.
* Landon Eiland 6’6” 2021 North Scott (Eldridge IA)
Very good student (3,4 GPA/22 ACT) had 13 points.
* KG Moore 6’10” 2020 Carroll (IA)
Very raw and unrefined center has the length to be an intriguing long-term prospect. JC could and should be his next destination.
While last Thursday’s opening night of the Pangos Best of Iowa League featured lots of top IA male talent, they did have company from a talented female baller as well: 5-9 2024 Aliyah Al-Hameed (Ankeny-Hawk/IA). She more than held her own with the fellas and is a top college prospect in her own right.
** first of a series of reports from the Pangos Best of Iowa League. We will be highlighting additional players in future reports
