Stars of the KC Classic  

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend's KC Classic allowed us to get an updated look at some players we've followed in the past or wanted to know better. There were so many standouts, it's nearly impossible to highlight just a few. But we settled on five who made significant impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some Kansans who starred at the KC Classic (in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1270296' first='Mason' last='English'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Pittsburg, MOKAN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Word is that English is heading to Link Academy in Branson with a plan to reclassify to the 2025 class. He was too much for opponents in Kansas City this weekend, scoring buckets in bunches and also showing how effective he is at delivering the ball to teammates. He just keeps getting stronger and leaner. He was a man among boys most of the weekend. Keep an eye on his recruitment as he continues his journey next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Gibbs</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2025, Basehor-Linwood, MOKAN (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy was a one-man wrecking crew for MOKAN. He terrorized opponents with his combination of size, power and relentless intensity on the attack. He dunked on opponents in transition, powered his way to the bucket and got after it on the glass. He is a threat to pull the trigger from deep, but opponents really had to fear his overpowering moves off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2321589' first='Des' last='Hinson'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2025, Blue Valley North, One of Us:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hinson was one of the smoothest, most electric scorers at the KC Classic. He was deadly firing away from the top of the key. When defenses did finally get to him on the perimeter, he slashed to the paint or moved around screens to receive passes and get shots. Needless to say, defenses had to be so occupied with stopping Hinson that his teammates found free movement to the goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1962887' first='Amare' last='Jones'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2025, Washburn Rural, SSA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most electric guys with the ball in his hands. Jones kept the pace revved up for SSA. He's one of those rare ball handlers who can get anywhere they want, always under control, and able to create despite defensive pressure. He is a top ball handler, a nice distributor, and he gets his own shots too. He knocked down some threes, which would really blow up his game if he can do that consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2211346' first='Rocco' last='Keller'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2026, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, SBA:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keller has impressed with his ball skills as a big man – a nice passer and knock-down shooter. But at the KC Classic, Keller revealed that he's ready to expand his game to the perimeter. He has length, strength and nice hands. Now he's showing agility on the perimeter, some ball handling skill and a nice touch from deep. He looks ready to seize a much bigger role at Kapaun, where graduation creates a lot of opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->