Launching Pad – Bigs on the Rise this Summer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With school in session, we will start shifting our attention toward the upcoming high school basketball season. But let's take one last look at some bigs who used the spring and summer as a launching pad for the school year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sylvester Jackson</strong>, 6-foot-4 center, 2024, Junction City, SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has been such a good member of the SSA club for years. He always hustles, always works and always has a great attitude. Playing time at Junction City hasn't been easy to come by. But based on his effort and time invested, we have to believe Jackson's day is coming. He runs the court hard, always eager to clean up the scraps and make the hustle plays. He's long and athletic and can defend the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1939448' first='Vincent' last='Nixon']</strong>, 6-foot-5 forward, 2024, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Taylor Made Athletes:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were really impressed by both Nixon twins, a couple of long forward/centers who were reserves for the Cougars as juniors. We'll focus on Vincent here as a guy who used the summer as a launching pad. He really got after it, playing with aggressiveness in the paint. He hits the boards hard, can defend in the paint and on the perimeter and is a rim protector. He can stretch a defense out by hitting from the perimeter and can also put the ball on the floor. He's good around the rim, particularly scoring off rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575955' first='Zavier' last='Phillips']</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2024, Labette County, Missouri 66ers (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phillips was one of the most impressive athletes we watched this summer. He is a freight train running the floor and can finish with thunderous authority. Phillips showed the skills to play in the paint or on the perimeter. He can hit from deep, where he dwarfs little guards trying to guard him. Phillips could be in line for much more recognition as a senior. He's too good an athlete to not impress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169821' first='Tyler' last='Holmes']</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2025, Bishop Ward, Marcus Denmon Elite:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes was an important contributor to a really good, senior-led Ward team as a sophomore. He used this summer to prepare to take over leadership of the team as a junior. He has a skill set to play guard or forward, and the athleticism to be a mismatch almost anywhere on the floor. He can hit from deep, slash to the goal, and rise above the crowd. What for Holmes to really launch this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Tucker</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Bishop Miege, KC Kings Elite 2025 Red:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing time is so hard to come by at Miege, Tucker had to be one of the most talented players to not play varsity last year. As so often happens, the Stags will be resetting this year. They graduated seven players from last year's state team. Tucker positioned himself to step into the void with a great summer. He's a long leaper who really excelled on the glass. With his versatility, he should be able to find a role this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->