Eye-Catching 17Us at the #MidwestGrindSession

<p>In a strong group of 17U Kansas players, a handful stood out in Wichita last weekend, deserving a second look (in alphabetical order):</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1300861" first="Quentin" last="Adams"], 5-foot-9 guard, 2023, Highland Park HS, Kansas 94x50 Elite:</p> <p>Adams is demonstrating the talents that made him an important starter for the state-qualifying Highland Park team. He’s an ultra-quick ball handler and defender who keeps the tempo revved up. He can shoot it from deep and always finds the open man.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1382169" first="Jackson" last="Biggs"], 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Lyndon HS, SSA Hoops Elite Black:</p> <p>Biggs has been knocking down the three-ball at an impressive rate this summer, stretching the defense and opening up the lane. He is a long wing who can get his shot off from a high release point. Biggs is athletic enough to make plays in transition and can get into the lane off the bounce. He is a matchup problem at the small school level, and it’s translating to the club court as well.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1290287" first="Trent" last="Johnson"], 5-foot-11 guard, 2023, DeSoto HS, SSA Hoops Elite White (pictured):</p> <p>Like Adams, Johnson was a key component of a state-caliber team. He handles the ball securely under intense pressure, and demonstrated athleticism in the fast-paced game, defensively disrupting drivers and getting his hands on careless dribbles. He’s a known-commodity from the perimeter, playing off the ball and finding openings for 3-point attempts.</p> <p><strong>Will Smoots</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Mill Valley HS, Kansas City Spurs:</p> <p>A new name to Kansas Prep Hoops scouts, Smoots really impressed for an undermanned Spurs team. He showed great hands and persistence to get the ball in traffic and make a play. He scored a lot in the paint, and battled throughout the weekend, even when his team had just five or, at most, six players. Smoots is a good athlete with good size and a fine work ethic. He’s a player to keep an eye out for.</p> <p><strong>Jacob Wassall</strong>, 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Wichita North HS, Wichita Padres – Kiem:</p> <p>A productive guard for Wichita North, Wassall showed that he’s a solid combo guard who can run the point. He takes care of the ball and gets it where it needs to be, attacks the defense off the bounce and can hit from outside. He is a heady defender too, intercepting balls that hang in the air, and moving his feet to stay with drivers.</p>