KC Classic: 2022 Forward Wrap Up

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The KC Classic year in and year out is always one of the premier events of the spring circuit. This year was no different with a humongous talent pool, amazing atmosphere inside the arena, and teams battling it out from across the country. The series of coverage will look at players who participated in the event that I was able to check out.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076411" first="Fred" last="Criqui"], 6’7 F, SSA Elite 17U Black (Pictured): Continues to get better and better with each minute of game action and high quality big he plays. Getting really comfortable with the ball in the post and his back to the basket as well as getting to the front of the rim on rim runs and slips. He finished with a game high 18 points and 10 rebounds in a game against Houston Hoops EYBL with a big with an Oklahoma offer. Hit a nice elbow jumper after relocating on a drive, had a couple of offensive rebound put backs, a full court rim run catch and finish, and his patented jump hook was at work.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1180615" first="Emmanuel" last="Byrd"], 6’6 F, 816 Hoops Burch: A very solid forward piece to this group, Byrd brings them some solid inside presence scoring the ball as well as some versatility with step out ability. Byrd had a solid outing in the game I watched against the Missouri Hawks. He was able to get to his spots in the painted area and finish with a nice turn around jump shot, a finish plus the foul, and other post moves. Byrd is good at creating angles and clean looks in the paint. An added bonus he brings is his ability to snatch rebounds and push the break himself.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1075927" first="Henry" last="Thengvall"], 6’6 F, Mid-Kansas Grill: Thengvall had a terrific 18 point performance against the PLUTO Prospects. He is a long and active stretch forward who plays extremely hard and covers a lot of miles on the basketball court. He is very versatile as he can be an effective player setting screens and can run off screens himself and is a knock down shooter off the move. He also had a really nice drive into the mid post area and drilled an and1 runner.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="984511" first="Ike" last="Ezeogu"], 6’5 F, Team Yobo: Ezeogu is an athletic and active force who can finish with either hand, offensive rebound at a high clip, and finish off set ups from teammates. Where he can shine as well is running out in transition as this weekend he did a great job of out running other bigs down the floor to get himself run out opportunities. He had a big game against Team GetShook finishing the game with 15 points and really set the tone in this ball game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891928" first="Mason" last="Belcher"], 6’7 F, Mokan Select Price: Belcher simply went OFF in the ball game I watched against Kansas City United this weekend, dropping 37 points in the process. Belcher is a talented stretch forward with a ton of game and length and he had it all rolling. Started his game off with an in rhythm pick and pop three that was pure and with his length if he has that shot rolling he is tough to guard. Belcher also moves well from block to block when guards drive and gives them gaps to slip dump off passes in to and finishes them well.</p>