MAYB Nationals: Kansas Top 2027 Backcourt Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend's national tournament in Wichita showcased several high‑level performances, particularly from Kansas's talented 2027 perimeter crop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205706"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689153f98ba29"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avant delivered a standout performance at the national tournament, showcasing his elite offensive skill set. Riley impressed most with his perimeter shooting -- consistently knocking down shots with unlimited range. His ability to be shot-ready both off the catch and off the dribble is rare. Avant excelled in ball screen situations, skillfully creating and maintaining advantages while making high-level reads. His shot-making ability is infectious, often bringing energy to his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2815526"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689153f98ba85"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus continued his strong spring and summer with another impressive showing in Wichita. Kates displayed deceptive quickness, particularly on the offensive end, skillfully navigating to his spots and creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. His mid-range game remains one of the more underrated aspects of his skill set, consistently getting to his pull-up when needed. In transition, Kates uses his body well -- leveraging bumps and angles to finish through contact in one-on-one situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JoJo Kingcannon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Highland Park","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SSA Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68916232eeedb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JoJo continues to rise as a standout guard prospect in Kansas, turning in another impressive performance at nationals. A true two-way player, he showcases elite on-ball defense and the ability to quickly turn defense into offense. With the ball in his hands, Kingcannon uses his quick first step to get downhill and consistently create paint touches. He also demonstrates advanced vision, reading defensive rotations and passing lanes before they fully develop, leading to high-quality scoring opportunities for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205722"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68916232eef75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Luke may have been the smoothest-operating guard at nationals, showcasing exceptional ball control as he navigated various defensive looks. Henderson excelled in ball screen situations, frequently attacking opposing bigs and forcing defensive rotations. He also displayed the ability to get downhill in one-on-one matchups or when attacking closeouts, consistently drawing help and dropping off timely passes to teammates for easy finishes at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2781151"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68916232eeff9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evan might not be the most well-known name on this list, but he delivered a strong performance over the weekend. His game has clearly evolved, especially on the defensive end, where he stood out with his ability to guard effectively. Chavez excelled at reading passing lanes, consistently creating deflections and forcing turnovers. He was especially impactful in transition, whether sprinting the lane or initiating the break himself -- showcasing impressive speed and explosiveness in the open court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205713"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68916232ef078"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrison's recruiting stock continues to rise this summer, and his showing at the national tournament only reinforced that momentum. A long, poised lead guard, he controls the offense with a rare combination of feel and basketball IQ. Always under control, he thrives in a variety of offensive sets. What separates him, though, is his ability to create when plays break down -- consistently getting to his spots or making the right read in tight windows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->