Friday Night Lights

<p>An exciting summer of hoops has wrapped up, and we can’t wait to get the high school season underway. But between now an then, a little thing called football stands in the way. Some of the top basketball stars in Kansas will be making headlines, and reaping college offers, on the gridiron.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="952433" first="Jordan" last="Brown"], Class of 2022 #7, 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Free State HS (pictured):</p> <p>One of the longest and most athletic big guards in the state, Brown is known on the court for his brilliant 3-point stroke. But he might be best recognized as a top-flight wideout who earned first team 4A at Basehor-Linwood last year. He recently chose hoops for college, committing to Emporia State.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="946266" first="Mikey" last="Pauley"], Class of 2022 #42, 6-foot-4 small forward, Blue Valley Northwest HS:</p> <p>Pauley played a key reserve role for the stacked Blue Valley Northwest team last year, but look for his contribution to go way up this year. But not before Pauley does work as the one of the top quarterbacks in the entire state. His athleticism plays really well in both sports – he’s a great shooter and leaper, and he’s quick enough to stay with, or elude, just about any opposing athlete. Pauley could be a top quarterback recruit, but…he’s already committed to play baseball at University of Nebraska.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="891921" first="Geremiah" last="Moore"], Class of 2022 #51, 5-foot-9 combo guard, Wichita Northwest HS:</p> <p>Moore is a rock-solid guard who is most often found running the point and getting everyone where they need to be. He’s a leader and a team-first distributor of the ball. His powerful build plays well on the football field too, where he earned honorable mention 5A last year. He’s got a nice arm at quarterback, and with his speed and shiftiness, he’s a threat to go all the way at any time. Division 1 is beginning to notice.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080159" first="Will" last="Anciaux"], Class of 2023 #1, 6-foot-6 power forward, Kapaun:</p> <p>Anciaux is currently rated the top player in the junior class, and he’s even ranked #194 in the nation. But the guys is raking in just about the biggest Division 1 offers you can get to play tight end. He’s a long and lean but powerful athlete who plays with intelligence and will succeed at whatever he chooses.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080176" first="Avery" last="Johnson"], Class of 2023 #7, 6-foot-2 combo guard, Maize HS:</p> <p>Johnson is only rated #7 in the basketball class of 2023 because he didn’t play summer hoops to focus on football. Otherwise he would be even closer to the top. He was the leading scorer on the 5A state champs, and he rebounded and dished out assists at an impressive rate as the all-around team leader. But Johnson is attracting even more attention as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1212168" first="Jaden" last="Hamm"], Class of 2023 #65, 6-foot-6 center, Eudora HS:</p> <p>Already committed to play tight end for the University of Arkansas, Hamm still has two years of basketball ahead if he chooses to use them. He’s the #5 rated center in the 2023 class. He’s a tough presence in the lane, blocking shots and ripping down rebounds. His athleticism allows him to run the floor and move well without the ball.</p>