Final 2022 Rankings: Top Risers

The final 2022 rankings are out, and the 2022 group of basketball players in Kansas was one of the deepest classes in my time here in Kansas. Constant shake ups, risers, and new names have joined this deep pool of talent and a large number of the class will be playing college basketball somewhere.   Here are some of the Top Risers in the class of 2022 One Final Time:   [player_tooltip player_id="787613" first="Gradey" last="Dick"], 6’7 G/W, Sunrise Christian, 2 to 1: The list of accolades, individual achievements, and team achievements for Dick this year are unparalleled, especially in the state of Kansas. The future Kansas Jayhawk was a force this season for the elite Sunrise Christian Academy. Dick is an elite wing on both ends of the floor with premier 3 pt. shooting ability, ability to rip drive to the rack, and is very comfortable in the mid range game. His athleticism paired with his elite 3 pt shooting will make him a threat right away in the Big 12 and he capped off his High School Career with a National Player of the Year Award selection.   [player_tooltip player_id="891912" first="Nahcs" last="Wahwassuck"], 6’5 PG, Royal Valley, 17 to 13 – 4 spots: After a brief stint at Link Academy, Wahwassuck returned back to his home school of Royal Valley and helped lead one of the best 3A teams in the state, rolling all the way to the state championship game. The 6’5 PG leaves Kansas High School as one of the craftiest and most versatile guards in the class with to notch court vision, handle of the basketball, and basketball IQ. Emporia State is getting a player that can play multiple positions and got a lot better at becoming a threat without the ball as well on the offensive end, but his ability with the ball is what makes him pop.   [player_tooltip player_id="946254" first="Kyle" last="Grill"], 6’5 PG, Maize, 29 to 26 – 4 spots: Another highly versatile point guard with tremendous size in this class. Grill is a wizard when he can get out and lead the break in transition, finds shooters in great spots, and has played with some tremendous athletes on the floor who he connected with for some highlight plays. Grill was the lead guard for a ton of winning at his high school and Grill lit it up on the grassroots scene. The long guard is a great finisher in the paint and puts a ton of pressure on defenses.   [player_tooltip player_id="1076261" first="Landon" last="Wagler"], 6’4 W, SMNW, 40 to 33 - 7 spots: Wagler really elevated his game this year and became a terrific knock down shooting wing to go along with his other positive attributes on the floor of creating for others and being aggressive with the ball. With great size on the perimeter, Wagler is poised to continue to develop at the next level to be a highly effective two way wing player. Was a fun player to follow this year on the highly competitive SMNW squad. Wagler had some huge games this year where he got hot from the perimeter and poured in the points in bunches.   [player_tooltip player_id="1372655" first="Kellan" last="Boylan"], 6’7 F, Bishop Miege, 54 to 40 – 14 spots: Had some huge shoes to fill coming in this year but Boylan did just that helping lead Miege to another state championship. Boylan is a bouncy, athletic, and high talent forward who will be taking his talents to Air Force where he will give them a boost in athletic ability and upside at the forward spot. Boylan was a near double double threat each night and really understands rebounding position and capitalizing on his athleticism to grab boards on both ends.   [player_tooltip player_id="889508" first="Ty" last="Henry"], 6’5 SG, Topeka Seaman, 62 to 56 – 6 spots (Pictured): One of the leaders and top guys for the 5A state champs. The long guard has one of the smoothest mid range games in the state and his height and length allows him to operate in that area with little resistance. That shooting ability flashes to the three point line and in a college program will get that to become more consistent making him a guard with a ton of shooting upside. Henry can also be a really strong defender on the ball and defensive rebounder as well.   [player_tooltip player_id="1372656" first="Sam" last="Ungashick"], 6’1 PG, Blue Valley West, 74 to 59 – 15 spots: Started off the High School season a little slow but then bursted back to normal form after the first few games. The future Benedictine University point guard has great burst off the dribble, is lighting quick in transition, and puts a lot of pressure on defensives to try and contain him off the dribble. Great playmaker for himself and others, finishes well in the painted area, and can knock down the three ball with some consitency.   [player_tooltip player_id="1075925" first="Chase" last="Harris"], 6’1 PG, Wichita Heights 83 to 73 – 10 spots: A 6A state championship capped off a great career for the highly electric point guard from Heights. Harris really expanded his game this year becoming a multi tiered scoring guard extending his range to three and still being an absolute monster downhill hill attacking the rim. Harris’s ability to play under control but at great speeds made him as dynamic of a guard as they came in this group. A solid vocal leader and poised senior down the stretch of the state title run.   [player_tooltip player_id="1268786" first="Carter" last="Bergman"], 6’3 G, Basehor-Linwood, 88 to 74 – 14 spots: Was one of the unsung heroes on the basketball court this season across the entire state. The future college baseball standout went out with his basketball career on a high note, becoming a versatile guard/forward hybrid for the very talented Bobcats. Bergman’s mix of strength and quickness made him able to guard a variety of players and on offense contribute as a knockdown shooter from the perimeter, or post smaller guards on mismatches in the paint. Plays with great confidence and made a ton of huge shots throughout the season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1195623" first="Grayson" last="Ratzlaff"], 6’7 W/F, Hillsboro, 103 to 88 – 15 spots: Overall as a team, Hillsboro was about as dominant as you could get en route to another state title, and Ratzlaff’s elite size, athleticism, and mix of guard and post skill was one of the main components as to why. He was great in the post area this year, could catch in the trail spots and knock down trailer threes, could come off a down screen and attack, or rip drive and finish above the rim against closeouts. Was a great shot blocker and shot contester and eliminated impact players night in and night out on the defensive end of the floor.