EKL: Young Prospects Raising their Profile
With the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Eastern Kansas League this season. Eastern Kansas League (EKL) Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue…
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Continue ReadingWith the season in full swing, Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at several players raising their profile in the Eastern Kansas League this season.
Eastern Kansas League (EKL)
Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, Mill Valley, St. James, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Tyler Claiborne, 6’3, G/F, 2022, St. James
Claiborne is a terrific young wing player who has good size, length and athleticism to make plays on the perimeter and from the mid-range area. He’s listed at 6’3 and brings good instincts and an aggressive mentality to the floor. He doesn’t back down from opponents and can score over top and find angles of separation. Claiborne is averaging 12.3 points, 2.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He’s shooting 41 percent from the floor, 70 percent from the free throw line and 32 percent from 3-point range.
Adrian Dimond, 6’6, G/F, 2022, Mill Valley
A long, active wing player for Mill Valley who gets touches and plays through adversity on both ends of the floor. He’s at his best putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket where he has a knack for finishing tough chances. A good defender, Dimond is able to move his feet on the perimeter against guards and uses his size and length. He brings a lot of attention to the floor as he can impact a game and force turnovers and get open looks.
Will Gavin, 6’2, G, 2022, Aquinas
Gavin is a nice young player who has good size and a game that can find its way regardless of the situation. He takes what is given to him and plays with a lot of drive and a competitive edge. He has potential given his build, size and skills with the ball as a 3-point shooter and creator. He’s averaging eight points per game with 1.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds. He is also capable of scoring second chance looks and can come away with a steal.
Joey Robinson, G/F, 2022, Blue Valley Northwest
A lanky young guard who brings toughness and physicality to the floor. Robinson is another up-and-coming score for Blue Valley Northwest who can connect from range and can contribute as a defensive presence on the perimeter. He is a strong defensive player on the perimeter and adds size, length and hustle. He can force turnovers through his physicality and has good length and awareness of the ball. He can create some with his dribble and is comfortable bringing the ball up the floor and making passes and scoring when he has an open look.
Brian Hawthorne, 5’11, G, 2023, St. James Academy
A slim young guard who brings some creativity to the floor for St James Academy. Hawthorne impresses with his overall play and IQ for his age. He has lead guard potential in a way that will often translate to open buckets for both himself and teammates given his movement and awareness of spacing and solid ball placement. Hawthorne is averaging 6.4 points, 1.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field. He’s also shooting an impressive 50 percent from three-point range and 65 percent from the free throw line.
P.J. McCallop, G, 2023, Bishop Miege
A nice player who is seeing some playing time due to his ability to score and defend the ball. He has a lot of confidence in his game and shows improvement the more he plays. There’s a lot of potential in his game and he has a good outside shot from the top of the key. He also has some moves with the ball in his hands and gets physical as a defender and looks to chipaway passes and stay in his opponent’s head.
Aiden Wing, F, 2023, Bishop Miege
A nice young freshman player for Bishop Miege who has good upside and an ability to complete plays off the ball. He can score from a distance in the corner three spot and is good at mixing things up inside. He shows a lot of hustle and gets up the floor quickly and plays with a lot of strength and physicality for a player his age. He looks to take anything you can get as a rebounder and second chance scorer.