No. 4-ranked player in Class of 2023 transfers to Arizona鈥檚 Hillcrest Prep
PHOENIX (BVM) 鈥� There have been eyes on Omaha Biliew since before he entered high school.
The 6-foot-7 Iowa native picked up an offer from the Hawkeyes and garnered interest from Washington, Louisville and others as an eighth-grader with a 7-foot wingspan. Biliew has already experienced disappointing a fanbase after he chose to play his high school ball at Dowling Catholic.
Freshman Omaha Biliew is the top prospect out of Iowa since Harrison Barnes. Heads to USA Camp in CO this weekend. Highlights from the Courtside Camp (limited playing time)
Full Video:
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms)
One of the country’s premier eighth-grade basketball prospects was considering several schools in the Des Moines area, but Biliew teamed up with Ryan Riggs, the Des Moines Register鈥檚 , and the Maroons for the 2019-20 season.
As the only underclassmen on Dowling鈥檚 roster, Biliew wasn鈥檛 exactly a force as a freshman. He averaged just 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds on a team where he was not typically the No. 1 offensive option.
But that didn鈥檛 prevent Division I programs from offering one of the best 2023 recruits in the country.
Biliew carved out a defensive role and used his length, elite athleticism and sheer strength to earn a starting job for the Maroons鈥� final seven games. The result has been six more offers (Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska and Western Kentucky) and recognition from ESPN as the.听听
Performances at a pair of invitations to USA Basketball training camps likely led to Biliew鈥檚 elite ranking despite the absence of gaudy numbers as a freshman. It was here where Biliew showcased his promise against some of the country鈥檚 best 2021 and 2022 prospects, including a monstrous dunk over 7-foot Chet Holmgren, the No. 1 player in the .
Here is 2023 Omaha Biliew鈥檚 dunk over Chet Holmgren from earlier today at the Minicamp via . @TeamGriffinMS @John14__6
— Trent Markwith (@TMarkwith14)
Nearly a year after Biliew made Dowling fans rejoice, he likely tore their hearts out.
Biliew will play his sophomore season at Hillcrest Prep, a program that is gaining plenty of notoriety throughout the nation due to past players such as Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns) and most recently,. Former NBA star Mike Bibby coached the team for a short period of time before stepping down in the fall and was replaced by current head coach, Nick Weaver.
Hillcrest, which calls Inspire Courts in Gilbert its home, plays a national high school schedule sponsored by Adidas.
“Omaha will add another dimension to our program with his size and versatility,”. “He can play multiple positions and guard multiple positions. Omaha is an amazing athlete who can put points up on the board and that is an area you always like to add.”
Weaver will pair Biliew with 6-foot-8 Michael Foster, rated as the No. 6 prospect in the nation in the 2021 class by ESPN, to form one of the toughest one-two punches in the country.
The NBA may once again by the time 2023 prospects graduate, creating a potentially interesting wrinkle in Biliew鈥檚 college recruitment. But for now, one of the best rising sophomores in the country has more pertinent things to worry about.
鈥淚鈥檓 really not worried about recruiting,鈥� Biliew told in May. 鈥淚 just want to keep getting better. I try not to worry about everything else.鈥�
It's early to be ranking 2023 players but 6'7 Omaha Biliew looks like he's near the top of the class!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife)
