New Additions to the 2023 Rankings – Wings/Posts

<p>Thirteen new players were added to the 2023 rankings. Check out the big men added to the list:</p> <p>27 [player_tooltip player_id="1212148" first="Easton" last="Ewing"], 6-foot-6 power forward, Independence:</p> <p>Ewing crashed the rankings by earning numerous all-state awards, including second-team 4A from Sports in Kansas. He’s a multi-sport athlete who might get looks for football or baseball. He posted an impressive double-double as a sophomore with 18 points and 13 boards per game. The highlight of his sophomore campaign might be the 34-point/20-rebound performance against Coffeyville.</p> <p>56 [player_tooltip player_id="1212149" first="Jace" last="Steinmetz"], 6-foot-3 small forward, Garden City (pictured):</p> <p>Steinmetz defies the ‘forward’ label, handling the ball and shooting with ease from the perimeter. He has good size and athleticism, leading to a lot of versatility. He got some good experience splitting time with the varsity and JV last year. But he’s showing the ability to score points in bunches this summer for SSA Hoops Elite.</p> <p>57 [player_tooltip player_id="1212164" first="Dylan" last="Werth"], 6-foot-6 power forward, TMP:</p> <p>Werth gradually grew pushed his way into the spotlight last summer, playing a supporting role to senior [player_tooltip player_id="1188957" first="Jackson" last="Schulte"]. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Werth really showed what he can do. Helping lead TMP to state, Werth scored 22 and 21 and 17 in three sub-state games. The big man earned honorable mention 3A.</p> <p>61 [player_tooltip player_id="1212168" first="Jaden" last="Hamm"], 6-foot-6 center, Eudora:</p> <p>Hamm is a long athlete who swats a lot of shots and pulls down a lot of rebounds for the Cardinals. With his combination of height and spring, he’s really tough to slow down in the low post and moving on the baseline. Big-time football offers are rolling in for this tight end, but he’s equally athletic and disruptive on the court. For that, he was named 4A honorable mention.</p> <p>64 [player_tooltip player_id="1213186" first="Ryan" last="Kuckelman"], 6-6 power forward, Macksville:</p> <p>Macksville always seems to have some of the best small-school ballers, and they have another one in Kuckelman. Colleges are going to take note of a big man who can run the quarter in 51.53, which earned him the 1A state title. He bowled his way to a brilliant football campaign last fall, and he led the Mustangs to a solid season on the court with 12.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists, earning second team all-state from Sports in Kansas.</p> <p>65 [player_tooltip player_id="1212171" first="Jailen" last="Thompson"], 6-foot-5 center, Free State:</p> <p>The Firebirds had a brilliant season, narrowly falling in the 6A semifinals to Campus. Thompson was a key piece of the balanced and deep club. He was regularly in double figures and was one of the team’s top rebounders. That experience is showing up this summer as he is a dominant presence for Team KC.</p> <p>73 [player_tooltip player_id="1212173" first="Fernando" last="Gracia"], 6-foot-5 power forward, Olathe North:</p> <p>Gracia is a dominant rim protector for 816 this summer. He plays even bigger than his 6-foot-5 frame, and he is showing impressive versatility. He can step out on the perimeter and knock down threes with regularity. He moves well, both up and down the court and also around the lane. Slipping off his man to block shots from drivers and jump shooters.</p>