Grassroots Team Preview: KC ELITE
KC ELITE Basketball was formed by AJ Green and David Spruell in 2010. The program currently has 11U, 15U, 16U and 17U travel teams for boys and hopes to add teams for girls in the future.
The squad will open this weekend at the Route 66 Kick Off in Oklahoma City, Okla. and will later play at the Great American Shootout in Wichita, Kan. on April 21-23.
15U is a very talented team and they have played together since the fifth-grade. The standout players on this team are Ben Palacios (6’5, SG), Desmond McKinney (6’0, PG) and Jake Humbard (5’10, PG). Palacios is a versatile guard that can play out on the perimeter and around the basket. He is a great mid range shooter and finishes well around the basket and a solid on ball defender and strong re-bounder. Desmond (Dez)McKinney is a newcomer to the KC ELITE Program. He is a crafty point guard who possesses great ball handling and passing skills and is outstanding on and off ball defender with a knack to jump the passing lanes for steals. Jake Humbard is a hard nose guard that builds his game around defense. He is a great passer and finishes well around the basket. Jake is the vocal and emotional leader of the 15U team.
The 16U team is led by Kaden Spruell (6’3, SG), Dolijamar Basket (6’6, F) and Steven McFeder (5’9, PG).
Spruell is a 3-point marksman and finishes well around the basket. Kaden has a high basketball IQ and constantly makes great decisions when the ball is in his hands. Steven McFeder is a super quick point guard with great court vision as well as a tenacious defender. Dolijamar Basket is a pure athlete. His great jumping ability allows him to finish around the rim with ease and is the reason why he is the team’s top re-bounder.
The 17U is the cornerstone of the the KC ELITE program and most of the players have competed together since the fifth-grade. Daniel Parker Jr. (6’4, F), Will Eames (6’6, F), Devin Drew (6’5, F) and Deon McKinney (6’2, SG) are the top players for the 17U team.
A four star football recruit with football scholarship offers from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Iowa St., Nebraska and Notre Dame, Parker is a ferocious re-bounder and excellent finisher around the basket. Over the last couple of high school and AAU seasons he has improved his mid-range and 3-point shot.
Eames is a jack of all trades. He can handle the ball, shoot the 3-point and mid-range jump shot and is a great finisher around the basket.
Drew is an outstanding re-bounder, scores well around the basket and is an outstanding defender.
Finally, Deon McKinney is the spark plug of the 17U team. Deon is an excellent perimeter defender and has great anticipation resulting in leading the team in steals. Although he does not currently hold an offer, Deon McKinney is drawing interest from Arkansas State.
KC ELITE SPRING/SUMMER 2017
Prep Hoops Route 66 Kick Off, Oklahoma City OK, March 31st to April 1st
Great American Shootout, Wichita KS, April 21st-23rd (NCAA) tentatively scheduled
Midwest Live, Omaha NE, April 28th-30th (NCAA)
Jayhawk Invitational, Kansas City MO/KS, May 5-7th
KC Classic, Lawrence KS, May 19th-21st
PrepHoops Showdown, Saint Louis MO, May 26th-28th (NCAA)
JUNE BREAK FOR HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS
Iowa All Attack Midwest Summer Shootout, Ames IA, July 14th-16th (NCAA)
Hardwood Classic, Lawrence KS, July 20th-23rd (NCAA)
Jayhawk Summer Finale, Kansas City MO/KS, July 26-29th (NCAA)
ROSTER 17U
Mike Cleaves Jr, Lee’s Summit
Braylon Culler, Blue Springs
Devin Drew Raytown
Will Eames Lee’s Summit
Chris Herring Excelsior Springs
Caleb Jones Raytown South
Devin Johnson Leavenworth, Kan.
Deon McKinney Raytown South
Daniel Parker Jr. Blue Springs
Zach Thiel Leavenworth, Kan.
Seth Romi Lee’s Summut
Jeremiah Bell Raytown South