Capital City Spring Risers – Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making our way across the state, looking at spring standouts, we took a look at Topeka guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, here are some Topeka forwards who made an impression this spring (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1624887' first='Daniel' last='Brown']</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Topeka High, 785 Athletics:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is prepping to take on a much bigger role at Topeka High as a senior. He's expanding his game, facing the goal and handling the ball more with his club team. He is a smooth, athletic player who doesn't have to stay entrenched in the post, where's already demonstrated ability to produce. He runs and jumps well and is showing some ball skills on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2228096' first='John' last='Hoytal']</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2026, Washburn Rural SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoytal saw his role really grow during his sophomore season. By season's end, he was looked to for production and powerful opposition to opposing posts. He continued that growth this spring. He works hard and never backs down from a challenge, whether it's defending a guard on the perimeter or a big man in the paint. He shows the ability to face the goal and attack a defender off the dribble. He is strong and plays physicial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daquan Lee</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2026, Shawnee Heights, 785 Athletics (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee is a rugged and competitive forward who loves to get in the traffic and mix it up. He has good spring to take the ball up against tall opponents, and he really goes after rebounds. This spring, he is showing an expanded set of skills. He is attacking defenses, making moves around the goal. He hit some nice turnaround jumpers and used his dribble to body up defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245738' first='Griffin' last='Zuniga']</strong>, 6-foot-4 forward, 2026, Seaman, KS 94x50 Elite:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We really found a lot to like in Zuniga's in some fall club events. Then he was a solid contributor to the Seaman varsity as a sophomore. He has the skills to take his game to the next level. He is very cooridinated with the ball and can shoot and pass it at a high level. A gliding big who is comfortable with the ball in his hands on the perimeter. He has a soft, accurate touch in the midrange and out on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->