Ranking the state's top 2020 basketball prospects entering April's evaluation period

Finally, we have arrived at the college basketball offseason evaluation periods.

For these last two weekends in April and three more weekends in July, NCAA Division I coaches can watch prospects play in AAU tournaments across the country. This is the No. 1 time of the year for established names to bolster their stock, or for up-and-comers to break through and pick up offers.

Related:Ranking the state's top 2019 basketball prospects entering April's evaluation period

The Register ranked the top five prospects from Iowa's 2020 class entering the April 20-22 evaluation period. This ranking is based on the Register's observations during the high school basketball season, as well as consultation with our recruiting contacts.

5. Will Berg, PF, West Des Moines Valley

Recruiting radar: Interest from Nebraska, Nebraska-Omaha and South Dakota

AAU team: Iowa Barnstormers

Berg plays for a deep varsity program at Valley, so he hasn't made his mark in the high school ranks yet. But he's been on the AAU map for a couple years, earning an invitation to the Pangos All-Midwest Freshman/Sophomore Camp last November. He's a coordinated, 6-8 big who can battle inside and spread defenses out. He's ahead of the curve defensively and projects as a stretch power forward.

4. Zack Lasek, PF, Highland Riverside

Recruiting radar: Interest from Iowa, Northern Iowa, Central Michigan and Nebraska

AAU team: Martin Brothers

At 6-8 and 230 pounds, Lasek is a sturdy presence inside who also shot 35.1 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore. He's bouncy for his size and his potential is quite encouraging, too, as this will only be his second offseason playing grass-roots basketball. He could also wind up playing a different sport in college; Iowa State has expressed early interest in Lasek for football.

3. Bowen Born, PG, Norwalk

Recruiting radar: Interest from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Minnesota and Nebraska

AAU team: Iowa Barnstormers

The lefty Born boasts one of the sweetest long-range strokes you'll ever see from a sophomore. Despite his 5-11 height, Born uses quick cuts and rapid bursts of speed to score inside. Coaches would love to see him add a couple inches. But thanks to his court vision and advanced feel for the game developed from a childhood spent at the Portland Trail Blazer's practice facility, he's got a shot at D-I offers even if he remains 5-11.

2. Even Brauns, PF, Iowa City West

Recruiting radar: Offers from Northern Iowa and Drake; interest from Iowa, DePaul, Colorado State, Wisconsin and Nebraska

AAU team: Wisconsin Playground Warriors

A 6-9 forward with springs in his legs, Brauns projects as an athletic stretch power forward. He played his first two seasons at Regina, but he'll play his final two years alongside Iowa recruit Patrick McCaffery at Iowa City West. Brauns only shot three 3-pointers this season and could see his mid-major stock rise with improved offensive range. But the building blocks are already present, and they're impressive.

1. Xavier Foster, PF, Oskaloosa

Recruiting radar: Offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Creighton, Illinois, Missouri and Texas A&M; interest from Kansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Xavier, SMU, TCU, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Minnesota and Nebraska

AAU team: Pure Prep Academy

Foster has a solid chance to follow in Harrison Barnes' and Marcus Paige's footsteps and become Iowa's next blue-blood recruit. His 6-foot-11 frame, footwork and timing on blocks are enough to draw heavy Division I interest. But his high-release, snappy jump shot and blossoming 3-point stroke — paired with his daunting frame — push him to five-star territory. Iowa and Iowa State will do everything in their power to land Foster.

Also considered: A.J. Coons, SF, Solon; Braxton Bayless, PG, Ankeny

Matthew Bain covers college football and basketball recruiting for the Des Moines Register. He also helps out with Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball coverage for HawkCentral and Cyclone Insider. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.