Prospect Watch: Ethan Kilgore (2020)
Class of 2020 combo forward Ethan Kilgore of East Buchanan took a major step up in competitive level during the summer grassroots season.
After a very productive freshman season at Class 2 East Buchanan, the 6’6″ Kilgore joined the KC Run GMC 15U team that played in the rugged Under Armour Association against some good national competition. Kilgore was up to the challenge as he averaged nearly 10 points and five rebounds for KC Run GMC during UAA play.
“I played against some great competition on the Under Armour circuit,” Kilgore said. “It’s the best I’ve ever played against. Just playing against better players makes you step up and bring your game to a whole new level. You have to do the little things right and that’s what it’s all about.”
Kilgore is the centerpiece of a rebuilding effort at East Buchanan, which played a host of freshmen and sophomores during the 2017 season. The Bulldogs took their share of lumps, but Kilgore emerged early as he averaged nearly 20 points a game. He was named to the Prep Hoops Missouri All-Freshman Team last season.
“I was very satisfied with how my freshman year went,” Kilgore said. “I played pretty well, but we’re going to be better next season. We were young, so we’re going to be pretty good in the future.”
Kilgore’s strengths as a player is his size and versatility. At the small school level, he has already showed the ability to dominate games in the low post and shooting touch. During the summer, he was able to showcase his perimeter skills a little more as he could shoot 3-pointers, handle the ball and pass.
“I try to do whatever the team needs me to do,” he said. “At my size, it shows that I can do a little of everything. That’s what colleges are looking for.”