Kansas City Metro Area: Getting to the Charity Stripe

<p>Having the ability to get yourself to the foul line in games is a skill and can be a necessity to separate yourself from the pack of players. The benefits of getting to the foul line range from, getting yourself back in rhythm, icing a game away, putting other teams players in foul trouble, and altering momentum in a ball game. Today we look at some of the players from the Kansas City Metro and greater area who not only do a good job of getting to the foul line, but shoot an extremely high percentage when they get there. (Minimum of 40 attempts)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Brennan Watkins, 6 ft Point Guard, 2021, Kearney: The VMI commit is having a tremendous senior season for Kearney, and the point guard has a game that will translate extremely well at the next level. He is great at drawing contact, getting into gaps, and putting pressure on defenders off drives that allow him to get to the foul line at an extremely high clip. He has attempted a staggering 136 free throws this season and is shooting 84.6% from the foul line. He is reliable down the stretch to ice games for Kearney, and you are never afraid to have him with the ball late in games if he is on your squad.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891904" first="Damare" last="Smith"], 6 ft Point Guard, 2022, Shawnee Mission Northwest: Another great point guard, who has a great combination of change of pace, size, and balance that allows him to get to the foul line. He is effective at attacking close outs as well as pushing the tempo in transition. Currently Smith is shooting 87% from the free throw line and he has gotten to the stripe 46 times this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="824206" first="Mason" last="Thompson"], 6’1 Point Guard, 2021, Rockhurst: Getting to the line 58 times this year and shooting 84.5%, Thompson is a point guard that is vital to have for a successful team late in games. Thompson is a great guard who has a lot of tools at his arsenal, and his efficiency from the free throw line allows him to be extra aggressive and confident with the ball. Thompson has great length and athletic ability and is a very well rounded point guard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="946244" first="Luke" last="Williams"], 5’10 Point Guard, 2021, Olathe South: One of my sleeper point guard prospects all season, Williams is beginning to burst more on to the scene, and watching him live, he is playing with a lot of savvy and smoothness to his game. Earlier this season in a win over McPherson, he lived at the foul line and it was ultimately the difference in the game. He is a confident player and it shows at the foul line. He is shooting 79.2% this season on 48 attempts.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Brooks Langrehr, 6'3 Wing, 2021, Harrisonville: The athletic wing is an overall efficient player, shooting a high quality percentage from all of the areas of the floor. The same goes for the free throw line where he shoots a blistering 86.4% on 59 attempts for the season. He is great at leaking out and sprinting in transition as well as forcing deflections or grabbing rebounds and pushing to get himself going. His motor, athleticism, and efficiency make him a really dangerous and tough player to guard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ryker Edwards, 6 ft Shooting Guard, 2023, Smithville: The Smithville shooting guard is probably the least known player on the list, but he is a really solid up and coming basketball prospect who is a tremendous shooter from distance and from the free throw line. From the perimeter he is a great catch and shoot player especially from the corners, but he does damage from the free throw line too. On the season Edwards is shooting 81.5% from the free throw line and he has got their 65 times.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>