Back to School Special Wrap-up – The Best We Missed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We spent the last week bringing attention to the best Kansas players in seven categories: shooters, ball handlers, scorers, rebounders, defenders, plus most versatile and most athletic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We didn't allow anyone show up on more than two lists, or else [player_tooltip player_id='1270090' first='TJ' last='Williams'] would have been on just about every list, and how much fun is that? (He topped the “most versatile” list, FYI.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But when we compiled the seven lists, we found a few players who just didn't quite stand out in any one category. These were some of the best players in the state, but they didn't seem to belong on any of the lists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, to not exclude some of the state's best players, we made a list of “The Best We Missed” on our best of lists. These are basketball players, plain and simple. They do everything well. They do what the team needs. They lead, and they win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Best We Missed, 2023-2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1461339' first='Cory' last='Muehler'], 5-foot-11 guard, 2024, McPherson:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muehler is one of the state's best guards, without question. But when it came time to list the best players at any specific skill, it just didn't fit. He's not big or particularly dynamic. He's just good at every part of the game. He's surrounded by talented players, so Muehler is found doing a lot of different things throughout the game. He can handle the ball, shoot it, pass, defend, rebound, and create on the break or in the halfcourt. He was one of the most important players on one of the state's best teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385618' first='Mikey' last='Brand'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Bishop Carroll (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brand isn't huge, he isn't a particularly high riser, but man can he play. He's tough as nails, never stops working, and produces inside and out. He is a really good shooter from deep, he passes effectively and is smart on the perimeter. In the paint, he bodies up on the block and works hard to be a target for entry passes. His versatility and effort make him one of the most under-appreciated big men in Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1372285' first='Aven' last='Mboule'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2025, Wichita Heights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mboule has been a team leader since his freshman season, using his tight handle and attacking style to create shots for himself and others. He hits from deep, draws fouls and is good from the line. He's really active in passing lanes and as an on-ball defender too. After two really good seasons at Wichita South, apparently Mboule is going to suit up for Wichita Heights this year. That's a change that will be interesting to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1588406' first='Aiven' last='Riley'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Shawnee Mission Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riley had a bit of an up-and-down sophomore season, but there's no mistaking the talent there. He's a long, smooth slasher who can do a lot of things. His team is loaded with talented returners, so he can sometimes fly under the radar. He may not do any one thing exceptionally, but he's a versatile and dynamic talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2208970' first='Brayden' last='Myovela']</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2026, Maize:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the other guys on this list, Myovela doesn't really stand out as exception in any one aspect of the game. But he stands out as exceptional at the game itself. He's a big, physical guard who can play equally well with the ball or off the ball. He may wind up one of the most versatile players in the state when it's all over. He shoots it well, can create on the drive, defend and rebound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five More We Missed (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300824' first='Jayden' last='Brown'], Andover Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270303' first='Teagan' last='Charles'], Kapaun Mt. Carmel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1371482' first='Brennon' last='Dodge'], Shawnee Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2209720' first='Cameron' last='Love']</strong>, Olathe North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1772981' first='Kai' last='Reid'], Piper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->