The high school basketball season is done, and AAU basketball is just starting.
So, that means it's time for a rankings update.
Iowa's 2022 class of basketball talentis shaping up to potentially rival the 2019 class not only in the high-end prospectsat the top of the rankings, but also, and more important, the quality of depth throughout the rankings.
Want proof? Since the Register began ranking Iowa's basketball prospects in 2018, this is the first time it's unveiled a top 20; it's always been top 15s before, including the first two versions of the 2022 rankings.
Of course, there's still plenty of time for this 2022 class to shake out and we'll see where everyone winds up. AAU programs are just starting their spring tournaments right now. There's hope that Division I college coaches will be able to once again watch AAU events in person this July, and perhaps even in June.
Entering this critical period of recruitment, here is the Register's ranking of the top 20 in-state 2022 prospects. This isbased on staff observations and consultation with recruiting contacts at the college and high school levels.
1. Tamin Lipsey, PG, Ames
AAU team:D1 Minnesota
Previous ranking:1
Offers:Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota (previous staff)
Interest:Cal, Illinois, Arizona
Lipsey is an old-school, 6-foot-2 floor general who plays like a 15-year veteran but also has the agility and explosiveness to beat anyone one-on-one. He's a program-changing type of talent who can run any offense in the book. His 3-point shot has now become a strength, and that pushes him into elite territory.
- MORE:T.J. Otzelberger showing Tamin Lipsey he's still an Iowa State priority
2. Josh Dix, SG, Council Bluffs Lincoln
AAU team:OSA Crusaders
Previous ranking:2
Offers:Northern Iowa, Drake, Colorado State, Missouri-Kansas City, South Dakota State
Interest:Iowa, Iowa State, Creighton, Belmont, Omaha,Arkansas, Wake Forest, South Alabama, North Dakota State, Princeton
Dix has blossomed into an emerging high-major prospect with his length andshot-making ability, combined with his tight handle and excellent rebounding for his position. With speed and a 6-4 frame, he can guard any position on the perimeter. He scored 32 points against nationally ranked Millard North in January.
3. Ruot Bijiek, PF, West Des Moines Valley
AAU team:OSA Crusaders
Previous ranking:Unranked
Offers:Nebraska, Arkansas, Hampton, Western Illinois
Interest:Missouri, Princeton, St. Louis, Tulsa, South Dakota State, Missouri-Kansas City, Omaha
Bijiek may have the highest upsideon this list. Primarily a down-low post player his first two years of high school, Bijiek came back to Iowa after briefly committing to Hillcrest Prep in Arizona and showed off a rapidly developing stretch forward game. Translation: He's 6-9, getting more agile every dayand shoots 39.5% from outside.
4. Pete Moe, PF, Iowa City West
AAU team:Martin Bros
Previous ranking:Unranked
Offers:None
Interest:Iowa, Miami of Ohio, Purdue, IPFW, Belmont, Evansville, Appalachian State, Western Michigan, Air Force, Lipscomb, FAU, Omaha, South Dakota State, Princeton, Lehigh
Moe is sure to reel in his first offer soon. The son of former Hawkeye Jeff Moe, Pete is a well-built, 6-9 power forward who shot38.9% from long range this year after moving from Indiana. He's as confident in his outside shot as he is muscling his way to a bucket down low, and that confidence can separate him from other 6-9 forwards his age.
5. Steven Kramer, SF, Johnston
AAU team:Kingdom Hoops
Previous ranking:5
Offers:None
Interest:Iowa, Loyola-Chicago, Northern Iowa, Utah State, South Dakota, South Dakota State,Omaha, North Dakota State
The Register took a chance ranking Kramer No. 5 entering the season, and he proved us right with his breakout performance at the state tournament. Kramer is an athletic 6-6 wing who impressed with his consistently aggressive, fearless play and his length and versatility on defense. He's also an excellent passer for his position.
- MORE:Meet the six biggest stockrisers from the state basketball tournament
6. Trey Campbell, PG, Cedar Falls
AAU team:Martin Bros
Previous ranking:8
Offers:Northern Iowa
Interest:Virginia Tech, Drake, Belmont, Omaha, Princeton, South Dakota, South Dakota State
On a team full of superstars, Campbell thrived as Cedar Falls' point guard this year and landed his first offer from Northern Iowa. His 6-4 length andDivision I football-level athleticism make him stand out, but Campbell also wows with his court vision, which led to five assists per game and just 1.3 turnovers per game.
7. Tanner Te Slaa, PG, Boyden-Hull
AAU team:South Dakota Attack
Previous ranking:3
Offers:Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State, North Dakota, Augustana
Interest:Iowa, Creighton, Drake, Utah State, Colorado State, North Dakota State, Princeton, Belmont, Omaha, Valparaiso
Another long, 6-4 point guard, Te Slaa is a smart player who understands his strengths and rarely plays out of control. His jump shot, whether from long-range or mid-range, is among the prettiest in the state, and his passes are quick and precise.
8. Cole Glasgow, SG, Dallas Center-Grimes
AAU team:All Iowa Attack
Previous ranking:4
Offers:South Dakota State, South Dakota, North Dakota State, St. Thomas
Interest:Drake, Belmont, Omaha, Colorado State
Glasgow is a physical, 6-4 scorer whohas a knack for putting the ball through the hoop. Whether he's posting up a smaller guard, slashing for lay-up or sizing up his man for a 3-pointer, the high-flying Glasgow is instant offense.
9. DaVares Whitaker, PG, Sioux City East
AAU team:OSA Crusaders
Previous ranking:6
Offers:Cleveland State
Interest:Various Missouri Valley, Summit League and high-major programs
The ceiling is high for the 6-1 Whitaker, who transferred into Iowa from Arkansas this season. You won't find a guard in this state with more high-flyingathleticism. His stock will only rise as his game becomes as technically refined as it is explosive. From low-major to high-major, Whitaker could realistically landanywhere.
10. Cameron Fens, C, Dubuque Hempstead
AAU team:Martin Bros
Previous ranking:7
Offers:None
Interest:Drake, Belmont, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Omaha, Princeton
A 6-10 postwith good footwork and size who can run the floor well, Fens isthe top center in Iowa's 2022 class. The son of a former Division I center at Northern Illinois, Fens is a low-floor prospect with minimal risk who could wind up as a steal.
11. Trey Lewis, PG, Johnston
AAU team:Pure Prep
Previous ranking:13
Offers:None
Interest:Omaha, Oregon, North Dakota State, Belmont, Cal, South Dakota State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, South Dakota
The 5-10 Lewis has continuously crept up these recruiting rankings as he has grown inch by inch. Now he's at the point where he's getting too good for his height to be a large factor. He's perhaps the quickest guard on this list. He can dribble and pass, and he shot it 39.3% from outside this year.
12. Ashton Hermann, SG, Ballard
AAU team:All Iowa Attack
Previous ranking:14
Offers:None
Interest:Drake, Omaha, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Augustana, South Dakota
Hermann, a 6-3 off-ball guard, was another major standout at the state tournament, where heaveraged20.3 points while shooting 58.3% overall and 50% from 3-point range. He also logged nine steals, and it's his pesky defense that may separate him from other 6-3 shooting guards on Midwest programs' big boards.
13. Carson Toebe, PG, Clear Lake
AAU team:Martin Bros
Previous ranking:12
Offers:None
Interest:Northern Iowa, Omaha, South Dakota State, South Dakota
A physical, 6-3 lead guard, Toebe put up great numbers as a junior— 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 35% from outside. He'll man the Martin Bros backcourt alongside Trey Campbell this AAU season.
14.Lucas Lorenzen, SG, Okoboji
AAU team:South Dakota Attack
Previous ranking:11
Offers:Wayne State (Division II), Dordt (NAIA), Briar Cliff (NAIA), Northwestern (NAIA), Iowa Lakes Community College
Interest:South Dakota State, South Dakota, Omaha, North Dakota State, Idaho State
The 6-4 Lorenzen continues to rack up amazing numbers in high school— 23.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42% from outside. At his size, he's a bit of a tweener, so he's working on his handle and agility to become more of a guard. If he can do that, he's got considerable upside.
15. Jayden Mackie, PG, Aplington-Parkersburg
AAU team:Martin Bros
Previous ranking:Unranked
College:Committed to Upper Iowa (Division II)
The 6-foot Mackie was borderline ridiculous at the state tournament and opened plenty of eyes with his 34-point, 13-for-14 performance in the Class 2A quarterfinals against Van Meter. Hecan stop and elevate on a dime and boasts a quick first step. He committed to D-II Upper Iowa in January.
16. Jevin Sullivan, SG, North Polk
AAU team:Beyond Ball
Previous ranking:10
Interest:Drake, Princeton, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, North Dakota, Lehigh
Sullivan is a physical, 6-4shooting guard built almost like a football player.He uses his strength to get to his spots and can knock down shots at a high clip. He averaged19.3 points per game this season while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range.
17. Trevion LaBeaux, SF, Ames
AAU team:All Iowa Attack
Previous ranking:9
Offers:None
Interest:Omaha, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa
LaBeaux played only 11 games this year due to transfer eligibility rules, but he was effective in those games, averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 64.6% overall. He didn't attempt a 3-pointer.As a 6-4 forward, LaBeaux would benefit from showing coaches a 3-point shot in his arsenal.
18. Gunner Meyer, SF, Wapsie Valley
AAU team:Iowa Barnstormers
Previous ranking:15
Offers:Upper Iowa (Division II)
Interest:Division II programs, low-majors
The 6-4 Meyer is still relatively under-the-radar, but he's got the pieces to be an effective wing at the next level. His vertical leaping ability gives him a chance to score against anyone at the rim, and he can knock down his 3-pointer at a 39.1% clip.
19. Zach Erwin, SF, Camanche
AAU team:Iowa Mavs
Previous ranking:Unranked
Offers:None
Interest:South Dakota State
Erwin is a 6-6 forward with some guard abilities who averaged 15 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and1.3 blocks per game. His well-rounded game, athleticism and 30% 3-point shooting stroke will keep coaches interested, although he'd like to get those long-range numbers up.
20. Armonniey Thomas, PG, Marshalltown
AAU team:Pure Prep
Previous ranking:Unranked
Offers:None
Interest:Omaha, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Augustana
Thomas is a slippery, 6-foot, score-first point guard who is explosive off the bounce. He nearly led Marshalltown to a hugeupset over Waukee in the substate semifinals, logging 24 points and a pair of assists on 10-for-17 shooting (3-for-4 on 3s) in a 54-48 loss.
Matthew Bain covers recruiting and pretty much anything else under the sports sun for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network.Contact him atmbain@dmreg.comand follow him on Twitter@MatthewBain_.
