Sizing up the top players in Iowa prep history
Even if you check it twice, making a list is risky business. But it’s something I love to do.
An interesting discussion ensued last week on the Balbinot & Brommelkamp radio show (KGYM 1600 AM / 106.3 FM). It started with opinions as to how Linn-Mar’s Marcus Paige fits into an all-time Iowa high school team and developed into people making lists of their starting five in state boys’ basketball history.
I took that as an invitation to participate, and perhaps you will too.
Lists must always have criteria. In this case, I took into consideration the player’s high school, college and professional career. I looked at averages, longevity, honors and other circumstances.
For these reasons, neither Paige nor Harrison Barnes, second-year North Carolina player from Ames, made my first or second team. They might someday land squarely on an all-time team of former Iowa high schoolers because they are two remarkably gifted players. But Paige hasn’t played a minute of college ball and Barnes’ college and pro careers are yet to be determined.
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