Hoop City Classic: 2025 Standouts Part 1
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The Hoop City Classic in Kansas City was filled with tons of talented players and well known programs. There was also an abundance of college coaches in attendance making this the perfect opportunity for players to shine. These are the…
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Continue ReadingThe Hoop City Classic in Kansas City was filled with tons of talented players and well known programs. There was also an abundance of college coaches in attendance making this the perfect opportunity for players to shine. These are the players from the 2026 class that stood out the most.
Jace Weller
Jace Weller
Jace Weller had a huge weekend in KC filling up the stat sheets in every column. He is an efficient scorer at all three levels, he pairs this with an aggressive mentality giving him a recipe for success. All weekend he got to his spots and knocked down contested jumpers with ease while keeping a tight handle and quick first step to keep the defense honest. Jace attacks the rim hard and finishes well off one or two feet. He got to the line a ton over his 4 games helping him boost his scoring.
Jackson Donahue
Jackson Donahue
Jackson Donahue is a certified scorer! He had a high scoring weekend, getting buckets in a variety of ways. His elite footwork paired with his deep bag helps him get most of his points in the paint and around the rim. He keeps the defense guessing by moving well without the ball and being able to knock down open or contested shots. Jackson has so much gravity on his team that his teammates often get great looks at the rim due to double teams or slow rotations.
At this rate, Amare Jones Amare Jones 6’0″ | PG Washburn Rural | 2025 State KS will be hearing from big name colleges very soon. Jones is a talented player who is rounded in every aspect. His handle is tight as can be which he pairs with court vision that helps him pick apart the defense at will. His jump shot continues to improve which only further opens up the floor for him. His teammates are blessed to play with Amare the way he makes those around him better. Transition and dribble drive is where Amare thrives because of his ability to deliver passes in tight spaces at the exact right time. His finishing around the rim is very solid and he is improving it more and more.
Hank Wilmes
Hank Wilmes
Hank Wilmes is an athletic point guard who uses his body as well as anyone. He has a deep bag full of same foot finishes and spin moves that help him get buckets against bigger guards. He uses his body and speed extremely well to blow past defenders and keep them on his hip as he penetrates the second level of the defense. He has a high basketball IQ on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he is very good at clogging the gaps and taking away passing lanes. He is a gnat for ball handlers the way he works hard to pressure the ball and get under their skin.
Kaden Ballard Kaden Ballard 5'11" | CG Washburn Rural | 2025 State KS
Kaden Ballard Kaden Ballard 5'11" | CG Washburn Rural | 2025 State KS
Kaden is a pure shooter in every way. He specializes in catch and shoot or pump fakes with one or two dribbles. This weekend he had a ton of success from behind the arch making defenses scramble to find him in transition. His handle and quick first step keeps the defense from face guarding him at the three point line. Creativity and composure help him create for his teammates in the half court and on drive & kick plays. Look for Kaden to step into a leadership role this year for Washburn Rural.
Aden Sallee Aden Sallee 6'5" | PF Kearney | 2025 State MO e
Aden Sallee Aden Sallee 6'5" | PF Kearney | 2025 State MO e
Aden is one of the most promising players in his class with incredible upside. He is a natural scorer and at his 6’5″ frame he is only progressing. Aden is a high flying wing who is versatile in his tight handle and smooth jumper. His rim finishing is what surprised me the most by being able to hang in the air and finish on both sides of the rim with either hand. Perhaps more impressing was his defense. Sallee defends one through five and makes it look effortless. His rim protection and lateral speed gives him the attributes to be an elite defender at the next level.
Ty is one of the top players in the class of 2025 and he proved that this weekend. He led the Kansas Magic to a 3-1 record against some serious competition. Ty is a true point-forward with an elite dribbling package that he put on full display. At 6’4″ he is an absolute problem for the small guards and slower forwards that try to guard him. His finesse in the paint gives him an easy 10-15 a game from within 4-5 feet and he has no problem stepping out and knocking down tough shots. Expect Ty to move up in the rankings by the end of the summer and/or the end of his junior year.
Corbin continues to show why he is considered one of the best players in the Wichita area and in Kansas. He is an all around scorer with no weaknesses on offense. He shot well from behind the arch and got some great looks at midrange shots with en ELITE spin to fadeaway. Corbin pulls a lot of gravity with his scoring that he’s able to share the wealth and hit his teammates with perfectly timed bounce or float passes. Corbin can be the main ball handler as well as work extremely well off the ball with no problems getting his buckets in either position. I’m truly excited to him to ball out this year in a bigger tole at Kapaun Mt Carmel.