Best in Wichita
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The Wichita area is loaded with top returners and rising stars. For that reason we’ll devote one look at the schools in the city and another for the surrounding schools. Here is the Best in Wichita: Top ranked senior –…
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Continue ReadingThe Wichita area is loaded with top returners and rising stars. For that reason we’ll devote one look at the schools in the city and another for the surrounding schools.
Here is the Best in Wichita:
Top ranked senior – #1, TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'5" | SG Wichita Heights | 2024 State #176 Nation KS , 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, Wichita Heights:
The most highly recruited Kansan in the past few years, Williams is about the most versatile player you will find. He does it all for Heights as a “point forward.” The ball is in his hands a ton and he distributes it as well as he scores it. As a junior he dished out 4 assists per game to go with his 17 points and 7 boards.
Top ranked junior – #3, Amalachi Wilkins Amalachi Wilkins 6'8" | C Wichita Heights | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-7 center, 2025, Wichita Heights:
Wilkins has been playing a supporting role for two years, helping lead the deep and talented Falcons to two state championship games. He continued to round out his game as a sophomore, averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Prep Hoops categorizes Wilkins as a center because of his rim protection and supporting role to the talented perimeter players at Heights. But Wilkins may eventually earn consideration as a forward as he develops more perimeter and ball handling skills and is asked to be more of an offensive creator.
Most Underappreciated – Kaason Thomas Kaason Thomas 5'11" | CG Campus | 2024 State KS , 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, Campus:
All the news at Campus is about Andrell Burton Andrell Burton 6'4" | SG Campus | 2024 State #213 Nation KS . The team went just 7-14 last year. So the work done by Thomas flew way under the radar last season. But this guy can play. He is dangerous from deep, hits at a high rate off the bounce in midrange and is able to create shots. His contribution is critical to take some focus off Burton. Thomas averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists as a junior. He went over 20 points seven times with a high game of 31.
Top rising talent – Sebastian Hines-Turner, 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Wichita Collegiate:
Hines-Turner was the only freshman to earn a spot on an all-state team last season. The long 2026 led the Spartans to the state tournament and made a lot of fans along the way.
Top team – Wichita Collegiate
It’s tough to go against Wichita Heights for this pick. Back-to-back trips to the 6A finals and two of the top ranked players in Williams and Wilkins… But we’ll go with Wichita Collegiate for the amount of rising talent in their program. The Spartans finished 20-4 and went to state led by three freshmen. Rising senior James Shackelford is no slouch, earning second-team in the ACTVL Div. IV. But the story of last season was the play of freshmen Hines-Turner and Jaden Parker Jaden Parker 6'1" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS , who were voted all-league first team, and Amare (AJ) Batiste Amare (AJ) Batiste 6'2" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS , who earned honorable mention from the league. The Spartans lose just one key contributor from last year. It will be exciting to see how much the three 2026s improve.