The Kansas Names No One’s Talking About (But Should Be)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many players spread across Kansas, it's easy for some to fall through the cracks and go largely unnoticed. In this piece, I'll take a closer look at a handful of players who may not be getting the attention they deserve, despite putting together strong starts to the 2025–2026 season. I'll also offer insight into what to expect from each of them and their respective programs as the season progresses and spring approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brady Bettega | 6'1" Guard | Junior | St. Mary's-Colgan</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bettega has hit the ground running this season, leading a St. Mary's–Colgan squad that looks the part early on. The Panthers have picked up several quality wins and have been highly competitive even in a pair of losses against solid programs. Known primarily for his shooting, Brady is extremely accurate from long range and always appears ready to let it fly. He moves well off the ball, consistently reading defenders and finding open space, and his quick release combined with good size on the perimeter allows him to get shots off almost whenever he wants.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beyond his shooting, Bettega has shown the ability to impact the game in a variety of other ways offensively. He can handle the ball and break down defenders off the dribble, attack the rim and finish, or even post up smaller guards. That versatility has made him difficult to contain so far this season and forces defenses to play him more straight up, which in turn creates opportunities for his teammates. As a smart, high-IQ player, he understands when defenses collapse and consistently finds open teammates for scoring chances.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With Bettega leading the way, the Panthers should be favored in nearly every game the rest of the season and could find themselves firmly in the hunt for a state tournament berth if things continue to break their way.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ben DeVader | 5'11" Guard | Senior | St. Marys</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Much like Bettega, DeVader is another talented guard leading a strong St. Mary's team whose lone loss came against an impressive Olpe squad, as they sit at 6–1 on the season. Ben has the ability to heat up quickly, something he's already demonstrated multiple times this year. As a shooter, he creates scoring opportunities with his knack for lifting or drifting into open space off teammates' drives, and he consistently gets his feet set in a hurry while displaying a smooth, repeatable shooting stroke. His range has been a major asset as well, with the confidence to knock down shots from well beyond the arc.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Off the dribble, DeVader changes direction sharply, allowing him to operate effectively in the mid-range — where his pull-up jumper is especially dangerous — or attack all the way to the rim. His ability to turn defense into offense, combined with his willingness and skill as a playmaker, adds another layer to his impact. Comfortable and confident with the pieces around him, DeVader's all-around game continues to be a driving force behind St. Mary's early success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gerardo Robles | 6'0" Guard | Senior | Stanton County</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Robles, paired with [player_tooltip player_id='3101182' first='David' last='Crane'], has made Stanton County a formidable opponent for anyone they face this winter, as both are dynamic scorers capable of filling it up in a hurry. Gerardo often has the ball in his hands, initiating the offense and making plays in both the full-court and half-court settings, where he consistently finds favorable matchups. He's quick with the ball and can start and stop on a dime, which allows him to get to his pull-up jumper whenever he needs it — especially when the paint is taken away.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Robles also sees the floor well, drawing multiple defenders and delivering the ball to teammates spotting up on the perimeter or cutting to the rim. As a shooter, his stroke looks effortless, and he connects at a high percentage. He complements that with a strong attacking game, doing an excellent job of avoiding defenders and finishing plays around the basket. With Robles and Crane leading the way, Stanton County should make plenty of noise and is a team worth monitoring closely as the season progresses.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1624987' first='Jordan' last='Jones'] | 6'1" Guard | Senior | Colby</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Putting up huge numbers so far this season, Jones has powered Colby to a strong start, with their only early losses coming against Holcomb and Life Prep. Jordan is a well-built, balanced guard who can play comfortably at any pace and always seems under control. He features a deep and reliable scoring package, particularly from the mid-range, where his strong lift allows him to rise up quickly even with defenders in his space.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His ability to change speeds stands out, enabling him to create advantages or blow past defenders altogether. Around the basket, Jones is especially unique, showing the ability to hang in the air or contort his body to finish through traffic. He also runs the show effectively for Colby, consistently getting the team into its actions and understanding defensive rotations and when help is coming. Expect more eye-popping box scores from Jones as the season continues, as he should maintain a high level of production and give Colby a chance to compete in every game they play.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1957156' first='Jasper' last='Sallee'] | 6'4" Guard | Senior | Osawatomie</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sallee has shown significant growth this season, developing into a true three-level scorer and driving much of Osawatomie's success. His ball-handling has clearly taken a step forward, as he's become more crafty and elusive with the ball, consistently probing defenses to find openings and create advantages. He operates frequently in ball-screen actions and has emerged as both a scoring and passing threat, showing a strong understanding of how to use screens to create space.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jasper has also been highly effective from deep, knocking down threes at a strong rate both in catch-and-shoot situations and off the bounce, highlighted by a noticeably quicker release. In transition, he covers a lot of ground with long strides and applies constant pressure to defenders. His length helps him finish effectively around the rim, and he's also comfortable posting up smaller players and playing through contact. As the season progresses, we should learn much more about Osawatomie, and with the best version of Sallee leading the way, they have the look of a legitimate contender.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1955301' first='Mason' last='Martin'] | 6'2" Guard | Senior | Hoisington</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Martin plays with a true end-to-end mentality, often pulling down defensive rebounds and immediately pushing the ball up the floor off the dribble. His ability to generate steals and turn them into transition opportunities stands out, as he plays with excellent speed and pace in the open court. He also creates scoring chances through sheer effort, whether it's crashing the offensive glass or making hustle plays that don't always show up in the box score.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Martin is another guard who handles the ball well, changing directions smoothly and using his pace to apply constant pressure on the defense. At the same time, he plays with patience, consistently looking to find or create the best possible shot on every possession.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kellen Lanning | 6'3" Guard | Senior | Independence</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lanning, an underrated athlete, is putting together an impressive season and has been a key force in leading Independence to a 4–2 record so far. He has a quick first step and consistently looks to attack the rim when opportunities arise. His use of subtle hesitations and shot fakes allows him to create separation from defenders, and he can finish plays with either explosiveness or finesse, often gliding through the air with control. Around the basket, he isn't afraid to initiate contact, creating space and drawing fouls that result in trips to the free-throw line.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As a shooter, Lanning brings deep range and a constant awareness of defensive gaps. He does a great job of finding openings and capitalizing on them, whether working off the dribble or in catch-and-shoot situations. His ability to score efficiently from multiple areas of the floor makes him a tough cover and a reliable offensive weapon for his team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brody Haskell | 6'1" Guard | Senior | Augusta</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Haskell has been the driving force behind a much-improved Augusta team that is off to a strong 5–1 start and preparing to face solid competition in January and February. Brody is an all-around scorer, best known for his perimeter shooting, with deep range and an effortless release. He understands how to move without the ball, using smart cuts and relocations to find open space. When the ball is in his hands, he can also pull up from virtually anywhere, catching defenders off guard with his quickness and sudden shot-making ability.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On the defensive end, Brody creates opportunities by generating steals that allow him to get out in transition and push the pace. His elusiveness in the open court makes him especially dangerous once he has space to operate. With several quality opponents coming up on Augusta's schedule, Haskell will have the chance to make a real impact, and his ability to check every box will be crucial in keeping the team at its best.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->