Solid 2010 talent still on the board in Wisconsin

Antonio Curro - National Recruiting Editor NY2LASports.com
September 25, 2008
E-mail us at info@ny2lasports.com

While a host of 2010 prospects from Wisconsin have already committed, there's still a bunch of talent left on the board looking to continue to elevate their stock over the next 12 months. Here's a few names from the Badger state in 2010 that have not given a verbal commitment to date...

6'5" F Flavien Davis - Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Headed into last year as one of the elite 2010 prospects in the Midwest but a subpar performance this past spring/summer has cooled him a bit for now. In the end though it may end up being the best thing that happened to Davis as he is already in much better shape this fall (202 lbs.) and is really stroking the perimeter jumper well, which was something he definitely needed to work on. With new Head Coach Ryan Walz taking over this year, he'll need Davis to put down a strong year for Wisconsin Lutheran to have a successful season. Flavien looks headed in that direction and despite a step back last year, expect his stock to start to blossom again this year as he re-establishes himself as one of the elite prospects in the Midwest.

6'8" F Silas Mills Jr. - Rufus King
Really took major steps forward this past year after looking extremely raw during his freshman year. Excellent physical tools to work with in terms of size, length, and frame and he continues to improver every time he takes the floor. While he doesn't have the explosion of his father (i.e. former Custer standout Silas Mills) young Silas has shown some solid court awareness, solid interior rebounding instincts, and the potential to develop into a solid interior prospect with hard work. Big strong talent with nice upside who could really see his stock soar over the next 12 months if he puts in the work on his skills and physical tools (i.e. speed, quickness, explosion). One to watch in the 2010 class for sure.

6'9" F Kyle Kelm - Randolph
May very well be the top available prospect in the 2010 class in Wisconsin. A host of Division 1 schools already have offers on the table and that should increase over the next 12 months as Kelm is a skilled face up type forward with some nice instincts, solid physical tools, and the ability to step away from the basket and stroke the perimeter jumper. Reminds me a bit of 09' William Chrisman (Missouri) Jon Ekey who committed to Illinois State except he's taller, longer, and has more ability in the paint. Kelm is still raw with tons of room to grow and develop both physically and skill wise. If he puts in the work on those areas over the next 12 months, you can expect his stock to really take off both regionally and nationally.

6'4" G Josh Gasser - Port Washington
Still one of the best secrets in the Midwest as he has the savvy, court awareness, skill package, and perimeter stroke to really get things done at the next level. While he needs to definitely improve his speed, quickness, explosion, and strength on the physical side, Josh has an excellent stroke and continually put it down in major way this past spring/summer as he helped lead arguably the top 16U Grassroots team in the state (i.e. Wisconsin Swing) to a host of tournament championships with strong performances. Excellent young floor leader with the size and skill set to put down an excellent collegiate career. A host of Division 1 schools have already offered but you can expect Gasser's stock to really take off both regionally and nationally if he puts in the work he needs to this year.

6'10" C Ben Mills - Arrowhead
Big long tall interior prospect right now with a raw skill set and raw physical tools so there's some room to grow there. Not afraid to compete and has some solid interior rebounding skills on both ends. Has a number of Division 1 schools looking at him now for the most part because 6'10" is still 6'10" and he works hard on both ends of the floor and has some solid court awareness. Size is one thing but success is another and Ben will definitely need to develop his physical package across the board and his skill set as well in the coming months. Decent face up mid range game right now and range can extend to 12-15 feet. Also has decent instincts on both ends. Another one to watch develop over the next 12 months.

6'6" F Chip Rank - Cedarburg
Strong interior prospect who is just a solid tough athlete on both ends. As successful as his summer team was (i.e. Wisconsin Swing 16U) this past year, Rank was the single biggest reason for that as he just does whatever it takes to win games. Tough physical talent with a football mentality who attacks the glass, can finish in the paint, and simply knows how to play and get things done. If he was 6'8" or 6'9" a host of high majors would be after him. Excellent football player as well. A number of Division 1 schools are already coming after Chip on the basketball side and I would expect that to increase over the next 12 months as he has the toughness and skills to play in almost any system. Reminds me a big of 6'7" 2010 prospect Marshall Bjorkland except Rank is tougher on both ends and a little better athlete as well while Bjorkland's skills are more refined right now. Does whatever it takes to win games.

5'10" PG Terry Taylor - Milwaukee Washington
One of the top perimeter on the ball defenders in the State class notwithstanding and he has excellent instincts on both ends of the floor. Handles the ball well and has solid dribble penetration skills. Speed, quickness, and lateral quickness is also solid. Needs to continue to develop his playmaking ability and floor leadership skills and if he does so, he'll see his stock really improve. Solid talent who knows how to play and has the toughness to make things happen when he's on the floor.

6'10" C Skyler O'Laughlin - Elkhorn
6'10" is 6'10" but Skyler still has a long way to go on both the skill side and the physical side to play at the next level with consistency and success. Very raw but also very big so lots of room to grow, develop, and improve and how much he does that over the next 12-18 months will tell the story. One to track and follow in the coming months.

6'3" G T.J. Bray - Catholic Memorial
Was headed for an excellent prep career after a strong frosh performance for former Memorial Head Coach John Burns before an injury to his knee set him back. Last year was a year to get back into shape and while Bray showed flashes, everything continued to be a work in progress as he recovered to full form both physically and skill wise. Handles the ball well, sees the floor well, and has some solid range and physical tools to build on. This year is a big year for T.J. and if he puts in the work both physically and skill wise, he'll see his stock improve by the end of next summer. Another solid young talent to keep track of in the coming months.

6'1" G Brett Meinecke - Sussex Hamilton
One of the best kept secrets in the state, Brett has excellent range, solid athleticism, and plays with the swagger and confidence to compete night in and night out. Has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and also the ability to take over games with his perimeter stroke. Solid jumper that extends beyond the 3 point line. While high school teammate Kameron Cerroni has grabbed most of the headlines the past year, Meinecke is a big key to anything that goes on there as his ability to score points and makes things happen opens things up for Cerroni and the rest of his teammates. Solid athlete who knows how to play. With a strong year you can expect Brett's stock to rise. Really like his game and ability to make things happen when he's on the floor.

6'7" F Jonathan Maclin - Milwaukee Washington
When next summer is over, you'll be hearing a ton about this kid and schools both regionally and nationally will be showing interest. Excellent young raw athlete with solid elevation and a developing skill set. Opened some eyes this past spring/summer and really just started to play. Solid prospect to watch develop and one of the top 2010 sleepers both regionally and possibly nationally in the class.

6'2" G Myles Henry - Nicolet
Another of the solid athletes with the ability to score points in bunches. Henry has excellent athleticism and the ability to attack the rim and put the ball in the hole. Consistency game in and game out along with the ability to stroke the trey ball need to continue to develop and with that his stock will really improve. Solid athlete with excellent scoring ability and upside if he puts in the work. Could develop into a huge story in Wisconsin this year if he does what he's capable of.

6'0" G Derek Schell - Catholic Memorial
A pure shooter with range that extends well beyond the 3 point line. Has a tendency to pass up shots to keep teammates involved and make things happen but he's an excellent young catch and shoot prospect with solid court awareness and a nice feel for the game. Needs to be more aggressively offensively because he can be lights out from the 3 point line when he gets it going. Ball handling and physical tools still need to continue to develop and it's likely he'll slide over to the PG spot in college which he has the vision, feel, and court awareness to do. Works hard on both ends and has excellent grades as well. Solid prospect to continue to track and keep an eye on over the next 12-18 months.

6'1" G John Johnston - Whitefish Bay
Excellent young catch and shoot prospect with range that extends beyond the 3 point line. A pure shooter with the ability to spot up from anywhere on the floor. Needs to continue to develop the other areas of his game both physically and skill wise but shooting the basketball always has value and he's one of the best in Wisconsin at doing just that for the 2010 class. Solid court awareness and a nice understanding and feel for the game too.

6'0" G Melvin Cook - Riverside
Really like his ability to score points and think he could develop into a solid PG if he worked on it. Attacks the rim well, can finish in traffic, can stroke the mid range jumper and does hit the trey ball but consistency has to improve. Solid athlete as well. One of the quality sleepers in the state who could see his stock really take off with hard work on his skills over the next 12 months. Keep an eye on this one because he could really put down a strong year if he fulfills his potential.

6'4" G/F Mikael Luter - Dominican
Long athletic wing who's shown the ability in flashes to be that guy. In the state for 2010 he may very well have some of the most potential and upside. Needs to play with consistency and continue to develop his offensive skills to reach his potential. Solid upside and potential with hard work and development in the coming months.

6'2" Dylan Wurtz - Kimberly
Solid perimeter prospect with excellent range and the ability to both catch and shoot off a dribble penetration or catch and shoot off screens. Solid stroke that extends beyond the 3 point line. Solid physical tools in terms of size, length, and frame, but lower half needs to continue to develop. Sees the floor well and has solid court awareness as well. Really like his potential if he puts in the work this year. Solid talent to keep tabs on this year.

6'5" Matthew Craggs - Kimberly
Similar to Wurtz in that he has solid range that extends beyond the 3 point line and a solid feel for the game as well. Puts the ball on the floor in flashes but his ability to stroke the jumper is his strong suit right now. If he continues to develop his physical tools and does the same with his skills and more importantly his ability to handle the ball and also put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, he'll see his stock significantly improve this year. Solid sleeper to keep tabs on over the next 12-18 months.

6'2" G Troy Huff - Brookfield Academy
Excellent young catch and shoot prospect with range that extends beyond the 3 point line with consistency. Has the ability to take over games on the offensive end when he gets it going from the perimeter. Consistency and the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim need to continue to develop to reach his potential. Solid talent with nice potential if he puts in the work. Expect to see his stock continue to improve over the next 12 months as he is a solid catch and shoot prospect to keep track of.

6'4" G/F Steven Tecker - Northwestern
Tough physical athletic wing who can attack the rim, play solid defense, and simply knows how to play the game. Perimeter skill set is still raw so room to grow there but he's another sleeper in the state who has the athleticism to play at a high level and simply needs to develop his skills and continue to improve to reach his potential.

6'3" G Trevor Hass - North London
Has a chance to really take off this year. Put down excellent performances this past spring/summer including an All-Tournament performance during the 2008 NY2LASports.com Swish & Dish this past April. Solid perimeter skills and attacks the rim very well. Decent athleticism as well and is a solid quarterback on the football field as well. Could develop into one of the hottest 2010 stories for Wisconsin over the next year if he continues to develop and put down consistent performances like his did this past spring. Quality sleeper to keep tabs on.

6'1" PG Steve McWhorter - Racine St. Catherines
Solid young floor leader who can handle the ball, see the floor well, and create on the offensive end. Will need to have a big year this year for Racine St. Catherines to have a quality season. Solid young talent with some upside and potential if he continues to develop.

5'9" PG Marcus Kirk - Rufus King
Really like his floor game. Injury this past spring/summer sidetracked him but word is he's 100% healthy and playing better than ever. Handles the ball well, sees the floor well, dribble penetration skills are solid, and is a solid floor general. Perimeter stroke is solid as well but does need to improve in terms of consistency. Size notwithstanding, Marcus can flat out play the game. Quality young man as well with maturity and professionalism in whatever he does.

6'0" G Derrick Cook - Milwaukee South
Has shown flashes of become a solid prospect with his ability to make things happen when he's on the floor. At 6'0" he'll probably need to really focus on the PG spot to take off as a prospect. Solid athlete who attacks the rim well and can put the ball in the basket. Sleeper in the City Conference this year and one who could open some eyes with a strong campaign over the next 12 months.

6'5" SF John Phillips - Menomonee Falls
Excellent long slashing wing prospect in terms of his athleticism and frame. Skill set is still raw so needs to continue to develop those skills across the board to reach his potential. Solid sleeper right now in the state who could really take off with a strong year on the high school level and the grassroots side. With continued development both physically and skill wise he should develop into a solid prospect to pay attention to over the next 12-18 months.

5'9" PG Xavier Tipton - Milwaukee Vincent
Quick young floor leader who sees the floor well, has solid dribble penetration skills, and can create on the offensive end. Perimeter stroke needs to be more consistent and simply needs to be on the floor and get minutes to develop. Knows the game, has solid court awareness, and has solid instincts on both ends. Size notwithstanding, he could develop into a solid collegiate prospect with continued hard work over the next 12-18 months.

6'4" F Demetrius Turner - Milwaukee Bay View
Was one of the top young prospects entering high school and fell off a bit the first couple of years. Has the size, length, and potential to develop into a very nice prospect but needs to really put down a strong year and work hard on his skills and physical package over the next 12 months. If he reaches his potential, he'll grab the attention of a lot of schools by the end of next summer.

6'1" G Sam Savaglio - Kenosha Tremper
Solid prep guard who gives max effort on both ends of the floor. Solid decision making skills, can stroke the perimeter jumper if left open, and has nice court awareness as well. Solid all around floor leader who competes and is wiling to do whatever it takes to win.

6'10" C Riki Kodanko - West Depere
Big young interior prospect who's raw across the board. Nevertheless 6'10" is just that and if he puts in the work this year he'll definitely generate some collegiate interest by the end of next summer.

5'10" PG Tyler Hanson - Pewaukee
Put down an excellent performance last fall during the 2007 NY2LASports.com Next Level Showcase. Handles the ball well and plays hard on both ends of the floor. Sees the floor well, can create, solid stroke, and has excellent awareness for a young guard prospect. Expect a strong season from him this year and he's a solid sleeper for PG's in the 2010 class in Wisconsin. Solid all around player size notwithstanding.