Kansas’ Top 15 — Breaking Down the Best in the 2028 Class, Pt. II

As I move into the top ten covering the 2028 class, there are seven names I have for these five spots, with a couple of ties right now. The ties speak to both the depth and talent at the top, with a lot of guys battling neck and neck right now. These guys have diverse games and skill sets, which should make for an interesting breakdown. Check out what these guys were able to do this summer, pushing into the top ten, and how they project this winter with their respective programs.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='2948828' first='Gaige' last='Navarro'] | 6'6" Forward | Burlington   Navarro cracks the top ten as he just continues to get better and better each year. His length continues to stand out immediately when you watch him live, as he plays much bigger than his 6'6” frame at times. It appears that he's still growing into his frame and could add a few more inches, along with noticeable size, over the next year or two, making him still far from a finished product.   He's really unique with how he plays, and it's safe to say you won't find many other players like him regionally. He can operate with his back to the basket, handle the ball in the open floor, initiate offense, and even attack off the wing when needed. Even with the ability to do all of that, he's great at letting the game come to him, often making the right play and not forcing anything, showing a good feel with the ball in his hands.   The biggest surprise this summer was just how versatile he was defensively, defending multiple positions and skying above the rim to alter or block shots, while also adding a reliable perimeter jump shot that makes him an extremely tough cover at times. He will run the show for Burlington this winter, doing just about anything needed to win games, and should fill up box scores in the process. I can definitely see him adding regional NAIA and Division II offers soon, especially if he can add strength and size to his long, rangy frame.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='2401810' first='Ah'Jaylyn' last='Walker'] | 6'4" Guard | Wichita Heights   Walker looks to be in line as the next big Wichita-area guard, bringing size and a dynamic game to the equation. The summer showed spurts where Ah'Jaylyn was almost unguardable, playing with a shifty and crafty handle and a very underrated level of explosiveness and athleticism. He throws off defenders with how he can get to his left hand and is great at getting to two feet as a slasher and finisher.   He can punch it home above the rim in transition and even flashed above-the-rim finishing when attacking in the half court. I see Walker as a true combo guard, as he shoots it well enough from the perimeter while also being able to handle the ball and initiate offense when called upon. Like Navarro, he has good length for a perimeter player and uses it defensively to disrupt timing, get his hands in passing lanes, and even rotate and affect finishing around the rim occasionally.   Wichita Heights seems to always be in the mix each year, and with a storied program history, I think Ah'Jaylyn will have more than his fair share of opportunities this winter to lead the way for the Falcons and carve out his own path.   8 (tie). [player_tooltip player_id='2821566' first='Zach' last='Dashiell'] | 6'4" Wing | Sunrise Christian   While Dashiell was tough to figure out this past winter with limited playing time at Sunrise Christian, the summer created a much better picture of the young man as you're really starting to see his strengths come to the forefront. He has evolved into a mold that I think you should see him lean into moving forward. He's changed his body, adding noticeable size and strength, and you're seeing a much more explosive and athletic two-way guy who I believe now projects as a wing at the next level.   While he's more than capable of knocking down long-range triples off the catch, this summer he was unquestionably at his best just catching and going from the wing, throwing down a high number of baseline dunks through traffic or in the open floor. He really embraces transition play, sprinting the wing and looking to attack against defenses that are not set.   I fully expect him to be a much bigger piece for Sunrise this winter thanks to the growth he saw this summer playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2078454' first='KC' last='Run GMC']. With the physical changes and added confidence in his game, Dashiell looks poised to take a significant step forward this winter.   8 (tie). [player_tooltip player_id='2820782' first='Greg' last='Stiger'] | 6'1" Guard | Derby   Stiger is neck and neck with Dashiell right now in my opinion, as the two [program_tooltip program_id='2078454' first='KC' last='Run GMC'] teammates should be extremely valuable for their respective programs this winter. Greg will be a critical piece for a Derby program that is always competitive but hasn't been able to take the next step into a deep state run recently.   The summer showed how comfortable Greg is as a perimeter shooter, connecting on a sky-high percentage from long range while showing a quick release and good feel drifting and lifting to different areas on the floor to create space. While he operated off the ball frequently, you saw flashes of what he can do as a ball handler, playing out of ball screens and forcing defenses to shrink, where his vision and anticipation excelled.   I think next to his shooting, I would point to his defensive prowess as his next-best trait, really getting into ball handlers and making them uncomfortable, forcing turnovers and pushing opposing ball handlers to tough areas on the floor. While I believe Derby will be guard-heavy this winter, it's tough to imagine a situation where Stiger doesn't lead the way offensively, even with attracting a lot of eyeballs when he has the ball.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='2820798' first='Emmett' last='Delp'] | 6'7" Wing | St. John   Delp is coming off a strong summer, not only playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2078454' first='KC' last='Run GMC'], but also finishing up a productive schedule that included a number of different showcase camps at programs from around the region. It was during that stretch that he was able to pick up his first offer in the process.   While everyone will immediately point to his size and length, I believe it is the skill level he currently plays with at that size that continues to elevate his long-term ceiling. The left-hander can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, and although he would agree that his shooting this summer was not always up to his standards, I think that part of his game will continue to improve as he pushes himself against better competition.   His frame should also allow him to fill out and add strength over the next year, which should continue his development into a stronger and more well-rounded finisher around the basket, whether that comes in the half court or in transition. You can check him back at St. John this winter, where I think everyone will see him take another step forward and ultimately take home Kansas' 1A State Player of the Year honors.   6 (tie). Jaxon Brooks | 7'0" Forward | Monarch Academy   Brooks has the biggest upside of any player inside the top ten thanks to his tremendous size and length, while also possessing a level of mobility that stands out for a player his size. This summer, he got up and down the floor with good pace, often creating opportunities by following up on the offensive glass or beating defenders down the floor in transition.   Jaxon moves well for a player his size and actually had some moments as a lateral defender where it looked like he could really grow into a strong ball-screen defender if everything continues to develop. He also looks comfortable playing with his back to the basket and sees the floor well as a passer, whether that is finding cutters or making plays out of double teams.   This winter, I can definitely see him being a rotational piece for Monarch Academy who should provide valuable size and length on the interior. While I expect him to make an impact this season, I think his best basketball could actually come the following winter as he continues to add strength, gain experience, and become more comfortable with his overall skill set.   6 (tie). Gabriel Whited | 6'6" Wing | Monarch Academy   Whited is another unique name you will find at Monarch Academy this winter. Gabe really plays with a methodical approach and never seems to get sped up on the offensive end of the floor. He's comfortable handling the ball and creating off the bounce, while also looking to create opportunities as an offensive rebounder or cutter.   He's also a reliable perimeter shooter and has a quick bounce off the floor as a finisher around the basket. I think he can play multiple positions offensively and defend multiple positions as well, making him a true positionless player on both ends of the floor and someone who should be tough for opponents to match up with.   With a full year of development in Kansas City, you could be looking at a guy who could easily jump into the top three or four names in the state by next summer. The combination of his versatility, feel, and ability to impact the game in different ways gives him a really high ceiling moving forward.

As I move into the top ten covering the 2028 class, there are seven names I have for these five spots, with a couple of ties right now. The ties speak to both the depth and talent at the top, with a lot of guys battling neck and neck right now. These guys have diverse games and skill sets, which should make for an interesting breakdown. Check out what these guys were able to do this summer, pushing into the top ten, and how they project this winter with their respective programs.