2022s: Kansas 2nd Team Summer Top Performers

<p>As we put the finishing touches on summer grassroots coverage for our kids in Kansas and begin the transition into the high school period, we are going to take a massive look back at the top performers from the summer circuit scene around the state. There will also be a another team list for our top stock risers as well. These coverage threads will span the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Criteria for Top Performer Teams</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Individual Performance</li> <li>Team Performance</li> <li>Strength of Schedule (Level of Tournament)</li> <li>Consistency</li> <li>Positions: PG, G, G, W, F, F, "Sixth Man" (Total of 7 spots per team)</li> <li>If I did not get a chance to watch the team/player and could not find any player updates or statistics it was difficult to properly evaluate the player therefore most likely not on one of the teams.</li> <li>Best Attempt to Diversify Between Programs Where it Made Sense</li> <li>There will be a 1st Team, 2nd Team, and 3rd Team with a couple of Honorable Mentions with the 3rd Group.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2nd Team</strong></span></p> <p>PG: [player_tooltip player_id="891904" first="Damare" last="Smith"], 5’11, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Run GMC: Really came on strong in the summer for Run, bringing his dynamic playmaking to the table throughout the summer grassroots circuit for the UA squad. Had some really impactful performances controlling tempo, knocking down big shots, and getting great looks for teammates of screen and roll, getting down hill to kick outs. Smith was the spark plug to some really big explosive runs for the club all summer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>G: [player_tooltip player_id="891917" first="Zaid" last="Dajani"], 6’4, Olathe Northwest, SSA Elite 2022 Black: Dajani had a summer where he showed why he is one of the prolific scorers of the basketball in Kansas. Averaged 21 points per game over the summer on +50% from 2 and +40% from the 3 point line. Improved his playmaking for others as well which was a focal area of improvement from the spring raising his assist average to over 2 a game and got on both ends of the rebounding glass snagging 5 a game. The long and smooth playing 2 guard had himself a really solid summer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>G: [player_tooltip player_id="891900" first="Fontaine" last="Williams"], 6’2, Derby, Kansas Players: A tough scorer of the basketball off the bounce, Williams had a big summer for the Kansas Players helping lead the back court with his scoring ability. Showed his elite ball handling on the grassroots circuit and ability to get defenders on his hip and play down hill. Loved his pull up jumper and rhythm knock down shooting all summer as well. Poised for a big year down in Derby.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>W: [player_tooltip player_id="946269" first="Sam" last="Somerhalder"], 6’7, St James, Team KC(Pictured): The long wing player really flashed to some mid to low major D1 and DII coaches this summer. Was a killer in the transition game throughout the summer run playing at and above the rim, running wings, kicking the ball ahead, and making plays for others. The jump shot looked a little more consistent throughout the run as well. Is a tough matchup for a lot of teams and programs with his length and athleticism. Had a multitude of double doubles or near double doubles all summer long.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>F: [player_tooltip player_id="891902" first="Julian" last="Margrave"], 6’10, New Hampton School, Run GMC: Margrave's elite pairing of length and shooting ability was a terror for teams all summer. Brought the Run team a ton of flexibility with their lineups with his ability to play all over the floor. Showed some rim protection, defensive flexibility, and improved rebounding as well. Margrave picked up some solid mid major offers with his explosive play this summer. Hard to not notice his shooting ability paired with his length. Should really explode playing up at New Hampton as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>F: [player_tooltip player_id="1076411" first="Fred" last="Criqui"], 6’7, St Mary's, SSA Elite 2022 Black: Criqui put himself in a position to head into the winter as one of the top traditional 4/5 men in his classification. Was a rebounding force in each tournament, loading up a couple of double doubles and some near double doubles in the process. His ability to catch the ball on rolls to the rim and rim running that lead to finishes at the basket is top tier, and flashed some solid dunks on dump downs. Has a solid hook game with his back to the basket and hit some tough turn around jumpers as well. Averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds and 11 points and 7 rebounds in consecutive tournaments in the live session and finished his summer with an 11 and 11 game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"Sixth Man": [player_tooltip player_id="889463" first="Max" last="Alexander"], 6’ PG, Next Level Prep, Team Buddy Buckets-KS: Played a really strong supporting role for Buddy Buckets out of Oklahoma City to start and then moved over to the Kansas side and really showed his ability to take over ball games in the back court. The lefty shot the ball really well from distance and continued his impressive range that he started to get consistent from as the high school season winded down last year. His athleticism really popped this summer too on both ends of the floor with consistent tough finished through some athletes and defensive plays that really stood out. Alexander really helped elevate that Buddy Buckets KS group to a really solid team with his arrival in the back court.</p>