Evaluator's Notebook: Who's Trending Up? - Part 1

As fall approaches, we turn our attention to Kansas prospects poised to take on larger roles and make a greater impact this winter.    Last winter, Ben carved out a key role in the St. Thomas Aquinas rotation, making his mark primarily on the defensive end. A strong on-ball defender and athletic help-side presence, he consistently disrupted opposing offenses with energy and awareness. This season, Renze is expected to take on a much larger role — particularly on the offensive end. A highly accurate three-point shooter, he has a compact, quick release and can heat up in a hurry, needing very little space to get his shot off. Off the ball, he reads and uses screens effectively, applying constant pressure with his deliberate movement. Renze also excels in transition, sprinting the wing and setting his feet in rhythm for catch-and-shoot looks. As one of the team's expected primary scorers, he'll be a major piece for St. Thomas Aquinas this winter.     McConnell finished last season on a high note for Gardner-Edgerton, putting together a strong second half. He's best known for his acrobatic finishing ability — consistently creating opportunities inside by navigating help defenders and using a variety of angles and touch off the glass. Last winter, he also made noticeable strides as a shooter, showing a smooth release and knocking down shots from beyond the arc with growing confidence. Heading into this winter, McConnell is expected to be a go-to scorer and lead facilitator, key to helping Gardner-Edgerton stay competitive against a tough slate in Kansas.     Sabers is a strong, left-handed lead guard with excellent vision and feel for the game. He's an underrated passer who consistently spots openings early and delivers pinpoint passes that lead teammates into scoring positions. With a crafty finishing package, Sabers excels at attacking the basket — using his body well to shield the ball and finish through contact. He's also a sneaky-good perimeter shooter, with solid range and a high IQ for finding space to get his shot off. As St. Thomas Aquinas' leading returning assist man and rebounder, Sabers is poised to take on a bigger scoring load this season, helping fill the void left by last year's offensive leaders.     Dayne is coming off an impressive winter for Silver Lake, showcasing his ability to score at all three levels. His length and athleticism at the guard position make him a dynamic threat — whether he's slashing to the rim or spotting up from deep. He consistently knocks down open looks from the perimeter and isn't afraid to absorb contact around the basket, often hanging in the air to finish through defenders. While it's hard to imagine him being more of an offensive weapon than he was last season, Johnson is poised to take on an even bigger role this winter — not just scoring, but also facilitating and leading the team on both ends of the floor.     John, a strong and athletic multi-sport standout, is poised to take on an even larger role this winter for Washburn Rural. A true two-way contributor, Hoytal consistently impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he plays with a high IQ and unselfish mindset -- constantly cutting, relocating, and making the right basketball reads. He's comfortable operating both inside and out, using his physicality to finish through contact in the paint while also showing touch in the mid-range and beyond the arc. This winter, Hoytal is expected to step into a more prominent offensive role, with the ball in his hands more often to initiate and create. His development as a primary scoring option will be key for Washburn Rural's success.

As fall approaches, we turn our attention to Kansas prospects poised to take on larger roles and make a greater impact this winter.