2021 Rankings Busters

<p>A whole new crop of players was added the Kansas 2022 Player Rankings. Some finished off great junior seasons, while others made names for themselves during the summer circuit. Some were simply overlooked or didn’t show up on the radar previously.</p> <p>But a few players stood out for making big jumps in both the public eye and on the radar of recruiters and evaluators.</p> <p>Here are a few Rankings Busters from 2021:</p> <p><strong>1 [player_tooltip player_id="537220" first="Kennedy" last="Chandler"], PG, Sunrise Christian:</strong></p> <p>The name [player_tooltip player_id="537220" first="Kennedy" last="Chandler"] might not be one Kansans recognize. But his name was on the wish list of college coaches across the country until he committed to the University of Tennessee. The Memphis native is arguably the top point guard in the nation. He decided to relocate to Sunrise Christian this year to team up with some of his MoKan mates. Chandler won’t face many Kansas high school opponents this year, but is unquestionably the top player in the state this year.         </p> <p><strong>58 [player_tooltip player_id="1070185" first="Tre" last="Alexander"], CG, Topeka West:</strong></p> <p>The 6-foot-3 Alexander may have been overlooked for a time, but he has been a destructive force in the Centennial League for a couple of years now. Whatever skill Alexander may lack, he makes up for with elite physical tools. He continues to grow and fill out, and his combination of speed, power and explosiveness make him a unique big guard. He pushes the ball, gets teammates involved, and can overpower defenders on the way to the goal. Alexander was accorded honorable mention 5A honors as a junior.           </p> <p><strong>59 [player_tooltip player_id="1070200" first="Josh" last="Jordan"], CG, Salina South:</strong></p> <p>Similar to Alexander, Jordan may have slid under the radar for a while. Part of the reason might be that he often teams with other top-flight point guards on his club teams. But Jordan has a nice combination of size, strength and quickness, and polished tools. Jordan can run the point and quarterback a team effectively because scoring isn’t his only talent. Like Alexander, Jordan was honorable mention 5A last year.           </p> <p><strong>82 [player_tooltip player_id="1072877" first="Andrew" last="Brewer"], PF, Shawnee Mission South:</strong></p> <p>Brewer may have gone unranked for so long because he’s not a flashy offensive performer. He’s a lunch-pail type. He doesn’t look overly physical, but he is all business in the lane and gets a ton of put back points and plays around the goal. He combines toughness, physical tools and a team-first, workman-like attitude. His approach most certainly endears him to teammates and coaches alike, particularly on the club circuit where everyone wants the ball in their hands. Brewer gets listed anywhere from 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-8 in various programs. He is probably about 6-foot-5, but he plays big.           </p> <p><strong>86 [player_tooltip player_id="1072879" first="Phillipe" last="Manga"], PF, Nickerson (pictured):</strong></p> <p>Manga has yet to put up big numbers on the high school scene, but he stands out in club games. Playing for the Perry Ellis club, he makes a ton of plays. He probably has stayed under the radar because his game is not what you expect from a 6-foot player. He works the high part of the lane and orchestrates offense like few post players do. He frequently catches the ball around the free throw line and turns to face the goal to exploit his options. He is an excellent passer for a post, but he can also put the ball on the floor and get off shots due to his great strength, quickness and leaping ability. Manga will be very interesting to watch this season as he transfers to Nickerson for his senior year.           </p> <p><strong>89 [player_tooltip player_id="1070214" first="Hunter" last="Davis"], PG, Lakin:</strong></p> <p>Davis might have been under the radar because he hails from a small school in western Kansas. But you aren’t named second team 3A without earning respect around the state. In the summer, Davis doesn’t get seen at some of the events because he plays for Western Kansas Elite. But he can now be counted among the elite point guards in the state.</p> <p><strong>138 [player_tooltip player_id="1072890" first="Cody" last="Meracle"], PF, Manhattan Chief:</strong></p> <p>Meracle definitely flies under the radar during the school year because he plays for the homeschool association in Manhattan. He doesn’t get to face many public schools, nor does he get to compete in the KSHSAA-sponsored state playoffs. It’s on the summer circuit that players like him gain respect from their public school peers. The 6-foot-4 Meracle is a good teammate, hard worker and tough competitor who demonstrates his skills against elite talent. During his school season, he is dominant.</p>