City Preview: Lincoln's Top Players Part 1

As we gear up for a new season here in Nebraska, there are plenty of exciting players to keep an eye on. The city of Lincoln is full of intriguing players, especially at the guard position. Let's take a look at some of the top returning players in Lincoln going into the 2025-2026 season.    The two words that best describe Castor's game are playmaking and production. He is tough to stay in front of and is dynamic as a finisher around the rim. He does a great job as a decision-maker, especially in the pick-and-roll. When you add in a solid three-point shooting ability, it feels like you are picking your poison when trying to defend him. He is also a playmaker on the defensive end, where he is a steal machine.   This production included 17.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.2 rpg, and 3.0 spg as a sophomore on a North Star team that qualified for the Class A state tournament. He built on that with some monster performances over the summer with Factory United against some high-level competition. Look for him to be a force in Class A this season on a Lincoln North Star team with high expectations.     Now at Lincoln Southeast, Fredericks is a name on the rise. He capitalized on a solid Junior season with a big summer with Nebraska Hoops Elite. He has received a flurry of offers this fall, and there is reason to think that he has room to grow. It is easy to see why college coaches are looking his way, as his combination of shooting touch and craftiness around the basket as a guard of his size is hard to look past. He shot 36% from three last season, and there is reason to think that will improve at Southeast this year. He is also very solid around the rim with great patience. When you combine those things, you get an efficient multi-level scorer   Last season at Lincoln Northeast, he averaged 13.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 1.4 apg. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with this new group, but guys with his profile can fit almost anywhere. Look for him to be a huge factor on one of the top teams in Lincoln.     Sanders is a dynamic playmaker who is exceptional at getting downhill. When he gets to the rim, he has enough explosiveness and skill to finish even tough shots. He is also excellent on the ball as a defender with his quick hands that have a knack for picking pockets. One word that you hear often about him is that he is a creative player. When you combine that with his quickness and ability to get to the rim, you get someone who fills up the stat sheet and produces some winning basketball.   Last season, Sanders averaged 19.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, and 2.8 spg for Lincoln Southwest. He will be a key part of Lincoln Southwest's run this season as they look to return to the Class A state championship with one of the top rosters in Lincoln.     Makkiah, as the twin brother of Uzziah, possesses many of the same traits and abilities. These two are able to cause problems for opponents, especially when they play together. Makkiah is also a very good defender, so opposing guards have to deal with both of these guys hounding you all game. Makkiah is very good around the basket and has a nice arsenal of shots around the basket. When you combine that finishing ability with his quickness and ability to get downhill, he is a dangerous player.   He averaged 17.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, and 2.5 spg for Lincoln Southwest last year. He will be a key piece of Lincoln Southwest's bid to return to the Class A state tournament. If he can take that next step, especially from beyond the arc, then Southwest could have a special season.     A long and athletic guy, [player_tooltip player_id='2976977' first='Brady' last='Nick'] is a player to keep an eye on going into this next season. He excells off the ball with his ability to shoot and get downhill. He is a very efficient player on offense and his size and athleticism help him to be effective on the defensive end. He has seen his stock rise over the summer after playing for Factory United and having success there. He recently picked up an offer at the D-II level, so look for his name to keep coming up.   Last season, he averaged 17.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, and 2.0 spg. Look for him to light it up again this season as Lincoln High looks to take that next step this season in Class A.     Prospedi Mukendi is one of the more intriguing players heading into this season. He profiles as a bigger guard, but he has the versatility at the high school level to play all throughout the lineup. Because of this, he is comfortable in a variety of situations on the court, whether that is posting up smaller defenders or operating on the perimeter. He is quick for a guy his size and uses that combination of quickness and strength to attack the basket. He has the ability to score at all three levels, and he was a 34% shooter from beyond the arc during the winter last year. He is also effective on the glass. His versatility really shines on the defensive end, where he is able to guard multiple positions and is the kind of player who you don't have to worry about switching with defensively.   Mukendi was playing some of his best basketball at the end of last season for Lincoln Southeast last season as they made a run in the state tournament in Class A. Over the full season, he averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg.

As we gear up for a new season here in Nebraska, there are plenty of exciting players to keep an eye on. The city of Lincoln is full of intriguing players, especially at the guard position. Let's take a look at some of the top returning players in Lincoln going into the 2025-2026 season.