Kansas’ Top 15 — Breaking Down the Best in the 2028 Class, Part I

I'll now move to the class of 2028, taking a look at my top 15 players in the state of Kansas. The class is definitely still not defined, with players rising and dropping over the last two years, and I expect to see continued movement moving forward. This might have been the hardest portion of the top 15 to decide on, as there were another handful of names that could have cracked the list. The list is a combination of known and productive players, along with rising names who show a lot of upside and potential.   With these first six names on the list, I'll take a look at what they did this summer to land here and how it sets them up heading into this winter.   15. [player_tooltip player_id='2814772' first='Aiden' last='Butler'] | 6'7" Forward | Wichita East   Butler's rise over the past year has been impressive, as one of the true big prospects in the state who can combine size and length with good movement and growing skill. This summer showed a kid who looks much more confident and is always looking to mix it up around the rim on both ends. He really goes after the ball off the rim, fighting for extra possessions on the offensive glass and showing a level of comfort over his right shoulder as a finisher.   He also flashed some perimeter shooting, as he was able to pop out of ball screens and shoot the ball well when left alone. With all that being said, I think he's most impressive as a finisher, particularly throwing it down in transition or when he's free on the interior, as well as the impact he can make defensively as a shot blocker.   His ceiling is extremely high, and he still has plenty of room to grow, which is another reason for his name on the list. I think he still has a lot to add, and with a more filled-out frame next summer, he could really take the next step. It all starts with how this winter plays out at Wichita East.   14. [player_tooltip player_id='2917221' first='Croix' last='Garcia'] | 5'10" Guard | Shawnee Mission South   If Garcia is two or three inches taller, I think he's well inside the top ten and the conversation around him is much different right now. I still feel as if he's underappreciated or not even really known around the state currently. But if you watched him play over the summer, there was just something about him that continually moved the needle.   He's extremely quick and elusive with the ball in his hands and makes it look easy getting to his spots on the floor where he's most comfortable. Garcia's shooting is also a huge piece of his game. Whether it's pulling up quickly off the bounce or catching and shooting from beyond the arc, he has good lift and a quick release. When he sees a few go down, his confidence soars, and he really becomes a volume shot-maker from anywhere on the floor, needing really no space to let it fly.   He finishes around the rim well — much better than you would expect from someone his size — as he takes on bigger shot blockers by using his body or changing his release. He secured his first offer from Saint Mary's this summer and should be part of a really strong 1-2 punch at Shawnee Mission South this winter alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2205710' first='Conor' last='Kerrigan']. With a talented 2026 class now gone for the Raiders, expect a much heavier workload to fall on Garcia.   13. Kaiden Brown | 6'4" Wing | Gardner-Edgerton   Another player who is quietly ascending is Brown, the 2028 wing prospect from Gardner-Edgerton. Playing on a loaded VWBA Elite squad this summer, Brown really had to carve out a role and embrace it. He was able to pick and choose his spots well, providing a reliable piece on both ends of the floor.   He's a skilled wing with length and looked most comfortable this summer as a perimeter shooter with deep range. He relocates to space well, particularly playing off teammate drives, while also showing a good understanding of defensive rotations.   While Kaiden spent the majority of the summer playing off the catch, he also flashed the ability to handle the ball, particularly in the open floor, and he's surprisingly athletic as a slasher, getting to the rim and attacking long closeouts. His length gives him plenty of room to add size and strength to his frame, and the winter should see a much higher usage rate as he should be one of the leaders of Gardner-Edgerton and be called upon to do a lot.   Another name with high upside who I still believe has plenty of room for growth and development.   12 (tie). Nash Ferguson | 6'8" Forward | Blue Valley Southwest   While I'm sure Ferguson would agree that he had a relatively quiet summer overall, you simply cannot leave him off this list thanks to his unique combination of size and skill. The legitimate 6'8” forward has big-time potential and the makings to be a special player if he can figure out how to put it all together and add some much-needed strength moving forward.   Nash brings length as a finisher offensively, presenting a lob threat and skying above the rim in the open floor, while that same length really allows him to have success as a rim protector. His consistent ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter makes him different, as he can drag opposing bigs out beyond the perimeter and find success in different actions as both a roller and popper.   I really believe fans will be surprised by the Ferguson that hits the floor this winter for Blue Valley Southwest. Much will be asked of him, and this should be a huge year for him and his development.   12 (tie). [player_tooltip player_id='2470681' first='Peter' last='Frisbie'] | 6'5" Forward | Gardner-Edgerton   Believe it or not, as talented as Kaiden Brown is, Frisbie was the top young name on Gardner-Edgerton's roster a year ago, putting up big numbers. You even saw him show up this summer playing for MOKAN Elite at the final two EYBL sessions.   While he can do a little bit of everything on the floor, he really doesn't have a position with how he plays, almost like a point forward. Peter brings size to rebound the basketball and score around the rim, but he's also athletic enough to operate from the perimeter. His footwork is probably his biggest asset right now. He's really deliberate when attacking the basket and uses pivots and spins well to free himself and create scoring opportunities.   He's also a capable perimeter shooter and a gritty, tough defender who is going to be in the right spot at the right time. If he can add some size and strength moving forward, he should see even more growth this winter, and it's tough to imagine Gardner-Edgerton being anything but contenders in the state with two names on this list.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='2820761' first='Isaiah' last='Sayles'] | 6'6" Forward | Piper   You've seen Sayles move up and down this list over the past year or two, and he entered high school with massive expectations. While his play has been up and down at times, I think this summer he showed a lot of improvement and really embraced the style of play that he needs to lean into.   He's added some strength to go with his long arms and rangy frame, which really helped him out as an interior player. Over the summer, he looked much more patient operating inside, playing off two feet and initiating contact while staying composed as a finisher. Sayles also finds space inside playing off drives well and slipping into creases where he shows good touch.   A growing back-to-the-basket game also showed up. He can use his strength or fade from defenders to create space. He also looked much more explosive and active as a rebounder and defender, showing the next step with an increased motor. He should see a huge increase in expectations and production at Piper this winter, and we can expect to see the best version of Isaiah by the end of the winter, possibly moving back up the ranking by next spring if everything goes as planned.

I'll now move to the class of 2028, taking a look at my top 15 players in the state of Kansas. The class is definitely still not defined, with players rising and dropping over the last two years, and I expect to see continued movement moving forward. This might have been the hardest portion of the top 15 to decide on, as there were another handful of names that could have cracked the list. The list is a combination of known and productive players, along with rising names who show a lot of upside and potential.

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Kansas’ Top 15 — Breaking Down the Best in the 2028 Class, Part I

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