Five Offers for 2006 Bawinkel

Devan Bawinkel, the No. 104 ranked player in the class of 2006, is a rare prospect that has three position versatility on both sides of the ball. This type of versatility already has the 6-foot-5, 185-pound perimeter player from Winnebago (Ill.) High School five offers.

“Devan has offers from Northern Illinois, Marquette, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Iowa, and DePaul,” said Bawinkel’s AAU coach Dan Cunningham of the Illinois Wolves. “California is still really high on him, but they need a point guard in ‘06, so they’re waiting to see if either Devan can become a point guard or if another scholarship will open up. He’s also receiving interest from UNC, Duke, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and others.”

It is not that Bawinkel cannot play the point. He is just more of a serviceable point guard and not a true point guard. More of a shooting guard, he also has the athleticism and strength to play small forward.

“Devan is a shooting guard who has a point guard’s court vision, but not the handles,” said Coach Cunningham. “Devan has surprising athleticism. He boasts a 38-inch vertical. If he does develop point guard handles, then I’d find it hard to believe that he wouldn’t be a top 50 kid.”

Bawinkel, who averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as a sophomore, has a quick release on an ever improving stroke to go along with his strong all around game.

Illinois Wolves 17-under coach Mike Mullins compared Bawinkel’s developmental curve to that of Five Star 2005 prospect Bobby Frasor.

“Bawinkel’s shot is comparable to Frasor’s shot at this same point,” said Coach Mullins. “Devan has the chance to be the type of shooter that Bobby is, and he is bigger and stronger.”