Standout 15U Forwards from the Jayhawk Jam

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were some very talented forwards on hand in the 15U division at last weekend's Prep Hoops Jayhawk Jam in Lawrence l, KS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601780,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0683_bab452.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0683_bab452.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601780" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Truitt King (Team Together): A 6'6" forward who is a versatile talent to can get it done on the perimeter and in the paint. When he catches the ball in the paint, he was getting buckets on an assortment of spin moves. He was also stepping out and hitting 3-pointers on pick and pops. He is also an excellent athlete who was throwing down dunks in transition. He was very impressive to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> ******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3595325,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0607.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0607.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3595325" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas Cleveland (Futures Elite): A 6'4" forward from Nebraska who was one of the most impressive interior scorers that I watched during the weekend. He scored 29 points in the first game of the event on Saturday. He came back later and scored more than 40 points in another game. He uses his physical strength and combines it with good footwork and a nice shooting touch around the basket. He can hit the jump hook and step out and hit the short jumper off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601784,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0656.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0656.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601784" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samuel Niemann (Kruse Elite Gold): A 6'4" forward who was fundamentally the best post player that I watched during the weekend. His footwork was tremendous and he was constantly moving and giving different looks to the defense. He walked them up the lane when they fronted him and he spun off the contact along the baseline. He also finished with a nice touch in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601791,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0642.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0642.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601791" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli Finley (Kruse Elite Blue): A 6'4" forward who was one of the more impressive athletes that I watched during the weekend. He is an excellent leaper, but he also had a quick jump around the basket to get offensive rebounds and putbacks on a regular basis. He was usually one of the first players downcourt when he went on his rim runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601792,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0610.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0610.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601792" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caden Ahlers (Kruse Elite): A 6'3" forward who is a long and rangy southpaw with good athleticism. He has a strong motor and a nice offensive package to go along with it. He scores well in the paint and he can also handle the ball in the open court and hit the pull up jumper. He used his length to be very disruptive on the defensive end and he was also a ball hawk on the full court press.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601795,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0638.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0638.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601795" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3584320' first='Owen' last='Eskew'] (Kruse Elite Blue): A 6'5" forward who is very long and very slender. He used his length very well on the defensive end to get blocked shots on the interior and deflections on the perimeter. He droved the ball well going to his left and he also kept the ball high on the catch and offensive rebound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3601804,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0685.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/IMG_0685.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3601804" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaxson Willbanks (Kansas Rebels): A 6'3" forward who is very athletic and also has a great appetite for blocking shots. He has plenty of bounce and he has good timing to get his share of swats. He operates well in the low post with good footwork and touch moves. He will also flash post into the lane and spin for a layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->