Prospect Spotlight: James King (2020)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An athletic 6’1 2020 guard, Wichita East’s James King is putting together a strong offseason running with Kansas MTXE and appears poised for a breakout senior season.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A self-described all-around player, Kung is comfortable shooting the 3, but can also put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists, shot nearly 50 percent from the field and 37 percent from distance last season for Wichita East.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">King says a deep and talented Wichita East team struggled at times last season but finished strong, going 13-8 overall.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In some areas we struggled coming together having so many offensively dominant players but we managed to make a name for ourselves knowing our roles on the court and that solved everything and we came together as a unit,” King said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After a strong spring playing for Kansas MTXE, King says playing for Kansas MTXE has been a terrific experience and has helped him work on his all-around game.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love the team I play for, (Kansas MTXE) is stacked with great players that has the chance to play to the elite level,” King said. “The coaching staff is amazing and coaches push us every day to become better players.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This off season I've focused mainly on my handles so my confidence handling the ball has improved and also my passing angles so I can see the floor better.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">King says Mariah Mckinney, a 2018 graduate from East who played all four years of varsity basketball at East, has been the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She helped me find my shot and made sure I always got in the gym and worked on my game,” he said. “She taught me to hold myself to higher standards. She's been my biggest support system all through high school.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A fan of Gonzaga wing Rui Hachimura, King says he enjoys watching all-around game.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“His offensive presence is incredible, just from his post scoring,” King said. “I like to face up from the post just like he does , it opens up options to score , from other players cutting or taking the easy jump shot.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">King says he has not yet heard from any college programs.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>