Sunflower League Features Rising Stars
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The Sunflower League brings back a lot of talent, including a special collection of players from the 2025 and 2026 classes. There will be stiff competition in the league and there should be several teams advance to state tournaments in…
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Continue ReadingThe Sunflower League brings back a lot of talent, including a special collection of players from the 2025 and 2026 classes. There will be stiff competition in the league and there should be several teams advance to state tournaments in this league.
Sunflower League Preview
Preseason Player of the Year:
Carter Kaifes Carter Kaifes 6'6" | PF Mill Valley | 2025 State #317 Nation KS , 6-foot-6 forward, 2025, Mill Valley:
One of the few Kansans getting major DI offers, Kaifes has the total package. He’s got length and a solid physique, has a versatile skill set and can really shoot it at a high level. Kaifes will be surrounded by a lot of talent this year, so he will be distributing the ball and playing off other good players.
Preseason Team of the Year: Shawnee Mission Southwest
Talk about a tough decision. We could have gone with several other teams on this question, but we went with the Raiders for two reasons: 1) the experience all these talented 2025s got by making the trip to 6A state last year, and 2) the potential for growth from big man Ethan Taylor Ethan Taylor 7'0" | C Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2026 State KS . Having an impact player who’s nearing 7-feet tall makes this team different from the other talented squads in the league.
Player to Watch:
Zaxton King Zaxton King 6'2" | SG Lawrence | 2024 State #246 Nation KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Lawrence:
King will have his hands full as the leader of a rebuilding Lions team. But there’s no question his talent. He has lit up the league the past couple of seasons as one of the most talented scorers in the state. He will need to not just light it up, but provide leadership and stability to his young teammates. King is a veteran who will guide the way.
Other Top Players (in alphabetical order):
Nic Anderson Nic Anderson 6'3" | SF Olathe South | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Olathe South
Jackson Collins Jackson Collins 6'2" | CG Olathe West | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Olathe West
Micah Deaver Micah Deaver 6'1" | CG Olathe East | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Olathe East
Mason Kemp Mason Kemp 6'7" | C Mill Valley | 2024 State KS , 6-foot-7 center, 2024, Mill Valley
TJ Porter TJ Porter 5'7" | PG Olathe North | 2024 State KS , 5-foot-7 guard, 2024, Olathe North
Keaton Wagler Keaton Wagler 6'5" | CG Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-5 guard, 2025, Shawnee Mission South
Jaalan Watson Jaalan Watson 5'8" | PG Olathe North | 2025 State KS , 5-foot-8 guard, 2025, Olathe North (pictured)
Rising Star:
Ethan Taylor Ethan Taylor 7'0" | C Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-9 center, 2026, Shawnee Mission Northwest:
Taylor is the player to watch in the league, to see just how far his development has come. He was a role player who didn’t get the crucial minutes as a freshman for the talented Raiders. He was still a bit of a project at that point. But he worked hard and got great exposure over the summer, and should have added weight and strength as well as fundamentals. He still won’t have to do it all as the team returns talent and depth. But Taylor could be the difference maker.
Others Rising Stars (in alphabetical order):
Aiven Riley Aiven Riley 6'3" | SF Shawnee Mission Northwest | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Cameron Love Cameron Love 6'4" | PF Olathe North | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, 2026, Olathe North
Jakhai Carter Jakhai Carter 6'2" | CG Mill Valley | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-1 guard, 2026, Mill Valley
Drake DeBaun Drake DeBaun 6'6" | PF Shawnee Mission South | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Shawnee Mission South
Alex Casares Alex Casares 5'10" | PG Shawnee Mission North | 2026 State KS , 5-foot-10 guard, 2026, Shawnee Mission North
Jadon Sautter Jadon Sautter 6'5" | C Shawnee Mission South | 2025 State KS , 6-foot-5 center, 2025, Shawnee Mission South