First Impressions at the Kansas Top 250 Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the talented players who were invited to the Kansas Top 250 Expo in Kansas City Saturday were a handful of juniors and seniors we had never seen before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year the event provides a showcase for guys to make a great first impression. Last year it was Savailio “Mister” Smith from Bennington who blew up on our radar. There were several more this year worth noting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five juniors and seniors who made the biggest first impressions at the expo (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Rowden</strong>, 5-foot-4 guard, 2025, Olathe East:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high-energy point man created a lot of havoc at both ends all day at the expo. The lefty pushes the ball through traffic and probes defenses in the half court set to find opportunities to penetrate. He's got a great handle and is fearless with the ball in his hands. Rowden isn't big, but that doesn't bother him. He can shoot it from deep and is a pesky defender with very active hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2236083' first='JJ' last='Dos Santos']</strong>, 6-foot-1 forward, 2025, Olathe Northwest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long-limbed wing, Dos Santos can shoot it from anywhere. He has the size to body up opponents or shoot over them. He ran with arguably the best team at the expo and he was a big part of the offensive explosion they brought to every game. He runs the floor and hunts shots, understanding his role. He is a versatile guy who can guard bigger players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Snyder</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Bishop Miege:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest first impressions was made by this long forward from the powerhouse Bishop Miege. A guy still seeking his first varsity opportunity, Snyder popped the minute he took the court at the expo. He can light it up from deep, use his size to make plays in the paint, rebound, defend and run the floor. He knocked down a bunch of threes, standing out as one of the best shooters in the gym. He showed he can make plays on the dribble too. He blocked a few shots, standing out on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Watson</strong>, 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Blue Valley West (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without question the biggest “first impression” was made by the ultra-bouncy Watson. Another senior waiting for his chance at a significant varsity role, he really showed what he can do in a showcase setting. Watson made a dizzying array of shots on the drive, hanging in the air and leaning in every direction to create room. Watson has a tight handle and good speed and quickness to get where he wants to go, and the hops to rise over the opposition. His long arms and explosion make him a problematic defender and a fine rebounder from the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sean Williams</strong>, 5-foot-11 guard, 2025, Wichita Independent:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing second in 2A last year, Wichita Independent graduated a remarkable collection of seniors. The junior Williams will be gunning for those minutes on the varsity this year. He worked hard and showed a versatile game at the expo. He runs the show from the point, staying under control and making good decisons with the ball. He made some athletic plays in transition and shot it from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->