Back to School Special – Most Versatile Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're highlighting the best in Kansas at seven specific categories. But the Most Versatile category might also double as the “best overall” players, as you look at who shows up on this list. With little question that [player_tooltip player_id='1270090' first='TJ' last='Williams'] is the best in the state, and with [player_tooltip player_id='1588338' first='Carter' last='Kaifes'] in that running as well, this list stacks up that way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(FYI, obviously, some guys could have qualified in more than one category. But in order to cover the best in the state, we only considered each individual player for one of seven categories. No repeats.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kansas' Most Versatile Players, 2023-2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270090' first='TJ' last='Williams'], 6-foot-5 guard, 2024, Wichita Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only is Williams the best player in the state, but he's remarkably versatile. He spent a lot of the past two seasons running the point for the Falcons. He dealt out nearly 4 assists per game as a junior. He is also a top rebounder regardless of position. He can body up in the paint or attack the goal with incredible power. He can run, jump and handle the ball under pressure. His three-point shooting wasn't great, but he hit 60% from the field and 70% from the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270287' first='Will' last='Thengvall'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Kapaun Mt. Carmel:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thengvall combines the length of a big man with the ball skills of a guard. He can push the ball end to end and dish to teammates to the tune of nearly 4 assists per game. He can body up and play the power game. He is an elite three-point shooter, hitting at 43% from deep last season. Best of all, he's a guy who wants the ball at crunch time and will do whatever is needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1962884' first='Nic' last='Anderson'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Olathe South:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about blowing up. Anderson rocketed to #6 in the 2025 rankings for his impressive versatility as a sophomore. He did whatever was needed. He played a lot at the high post and as a forward, but at any moment he could put the ball on the floor and make plays like a guard. He showed ability to pass and get teammates buckets, and he also can score off jumpers in the midrange. Anderson is long and athletic, making for a tough matchup. He's not one of the state's very best players...yet. But he's certainly one of the most versatile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588380' first='Alan' last='Hanna'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Maize:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanna certainly could have found himself on a list of “most athletic.” But we place him here because of all the diverse things he does for Maize. He high jumped a ridiculous 6-foot-10 as a sophomore, which translates to a shot blocking, rebounding star. He can handle the ball and is one of the best at running the floor in the state. He's not a great shooter, but he gets buckets and is easily one of the most versatile contributors around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588338' first='Carter' last='Kaifes'], 6-foot-6 forward, 2025, Mill Valley:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaifes has the height and physicality to be tough to stop from deep. He is a dead-eye shooters. He sets himself apart from spot-up shooters by his ability to move without the ball and to score in the low post and midrange. He can put the ball on the floor to get to jumpers. He works hard in every aspect of the game. He's not a ball handler like Williams or Anderson, nor is he as athletically explosive as Hanna, but his combination of size and skill make him a very versatile player, not to mention one of the best overall players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other versatile players (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147759' first='Damon' last='Alexander']</strong>, KC-Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1953933' first='Joey' last='Dyck'], South Gray</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270271' first='Tanner' last='Heckel'], Inman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756338' first='Dean' last='Markes'], Blue Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1290136' first='River' last='Peters'], Emporia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1756341' first='Gavyn' last='Phillips'], Wichita West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->