Spring Standouts: Northeast Kansas bigs
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Spring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof. Now that we’ve slid into the summer team-ball season, we can review the work we saw during the spring. Here’s a…
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Continue ReadingSpring tournaments gave us an opportunity to see some of the best from across Kansas together under one roof.
Now that we’ve slid into the summer team-ball season, we can review the work we saw during the spring. Here’s a look at some bigs from Northeast Kansas who stood out in the spring:
Collins Elumogo, 6-foot-4 forward, 2023, Manhattan:
Elumogo was a revelation this spring. Still waiting for a shot at a big role on the Manhattan varsity, Elumogo showed what he could do on the spring circuit with SSA Hoops Elite White. He is a powerful, explosive athlete and a powerhouse on the glass. He blocks shots and can guard much bigger posts because of his physical gifts. He showed this spring that he’s a threat from behind the arc, which draws bigs out where he can abuse them with his quickness. He might be a big riser come his senior season.
Abe Hilbert Abe Hilbert 6'6" | C Nemaha Central | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-6 center, 2024, Nemaha Central:
Hilbert is a big man ready for a big junior year. Nemaha Central was loaded with talented bigs the last couple of years, but watch for Hilbert to step into the void next year. He’s a big man who plays with power. He is developing his post game with SSA Hoops Elite White. He has nice touch on his release and scores a lot by cleaning up misses.
Sylvester Jackson, 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Junction City:
Jackson is one of several Junction City players on the spring circuit who are patiently awaiting their opportunity. Jackson is a guy Prep Hoops scouts have appreciated for more than a year now. He plays hard, does the dirty work, and is athletic. This spring with SSA Hoops Elite Black, he showed some nice passing, screen-and-roll action, and the ability to chase down transition plays.
Christian McAfee, 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Sabetha:
It’s too bad rebound stats are not kept during spring games. McAfee owns the glass. His totals would be impressive. He has a knack for getting to balls coming off the board because he can slither through traffic, and he’s got the length and hops to go get the ball over the crowd. McAfee produces without taking a lot of shots by rebounding, defending, making good outlet passes and racing up the floor to clean up misses.
Davis Rokey, 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Sabetha:
If you’ve never heard of Rokey, you’re not alone. But it’s time for that to change. Sabetha is on a steady climb, with lots of good underclassmen who competed at a high level this spring. Rokey will be a go-to player as a senior. He has length and athleticism, and is adept at popping out of the lane to catch and shoot from deep. He and McAfee will give the Bluejays a high quality front line. They will complement each other nicely because they are very different players.