Summer recap: MoKan Elite (16U)
Armed with several talented players who currently hold scholarship offers from NCAA Division I schools, MoKan Elite 16U squad has put together a solid July after a standout spring.
Two weeks ago the team competed at the annual Nike Peach Jam, and last weekend, the MoKan 16U Elite competed shorthanded at the KC Hardwood and advanced to the semifinals.
“Our No. 1 goal was to get to peach jam and we were able to accomplish that,” head coach Christopher Tyler said. “That is what we talked about every day in practice — to get to Peach Jam and then to compete once we got there.”
“A lot of it is mental, getting them prepared to play each and every game, that we are loose and that we are on time,” Tyler said. “The hardest part is getting them to play as a team. At the next level, everyone is going to be good, so we have to share the basketball and move the ball and they have done a great job of that.”
PrepHoops takes a look at a handful of the players who stood out for MoKan Elite this past weekend at the KC Hardwood Tournament.
Jonathan Jackson (6’4, F, 2020, Homeschool): Jackson has played up an age group this summer he is a smooth player and understands the game.
“He has done really well and will continue to do big things,” Tyler said.
Tyem Freeman (6’6, F, 2019, Hillcrest): Freeman is a high flying wing player from Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest who has seen his game grow in the offseason and recently picked up his first offer from his hometown Missouri State Bears.
“He is a freak athlete and does a lot of things on the basketball court that not a lot of people can do in the nation,” Tyler said. “We’re lucky to have him and we lean on his energy.”
Deandre Sorrells is the team’s best perimeter shooter and averaged 17 points per game at Peach Jam while shooting 60 percent from behind the 3-point arc.
“Whether he starts or comes off the bench we are know we are going to get a spark and some made 3-pointers from him,” Tyler said.
Tyreke Locure (5’10, PG, 2019, Des Moines, Iowa): Locure is a smooth ballhandler who gets into the paint and finds the open man.
“He can also score in transition and in the half court and when we need a bucket he is the one we want to have the ball,” Tyler said.
Michael Peake (6’6, F, 2019, KC Northeast): Peake is an athletic big man who does a lot of damage in the paint when healthy. He has battled injury at times this summer.
“He has really come on for us and has done a lot of rebounding for us,” Tyler said. “He provides a lot of size inside and has done a good job.”
Also competing with MoKan Elite 16U this offseason and earning national acclaim have been Dajuan Harris (6’1,PG, 2019, Rock Bridge), Isiaih Mosley (6’5, F, 2019, Rock Bridge), Christian Braun (6’4, G, 2019, Blue Valley Northwest), Rodvon Jennings, 5’11, G, 2019, Hogan Prep) and Jevaughn Ferguson (6’7, F, 2019, Sunrise).