KANSAS: Early season stock risers (bigs)
KANSAS: Early season stock risers (wings)
A look at several players who are raising their profile through the early stages of the season
With the Holiday season nearing the rear view mirror and the action on the hardwood about to heat back up, Prep Hoops takes a look at several players who are raising their profile with strong performances through the early stages of the 2017=2018 season.
Jarrett Hensley, 6’7, F, 2019, Shawnee Mission North
Hensley has definitely been flying under the Prep Hoops radar and will likely earn a ranking in the next wave of rankings. He is an athletic big who blocks shots, throws down dunks and can face up and operate a little on the perimeter. He has an emerging 3-point shot and could emerge as a Stretch 4 type prospect if that aspect of his game continues to grow. He can also handle the ball a little and attacks the basket off the bounce with impressive dexterity for a big man.
Zane Meeks, 6’8, PF, 2019, Shawnee Mission East
One of the state’s better young prospects, Meeks has seen his stock skyrocket over the past calendar year as he has grown physically and improved his athleticism and skill set. He has good size, a strong frame and can hold his own in the paint at both ends of the floor and impresses with his ability to shoot from the perimeter. Meeks has good range, form and balance on his 3-point stroke and combines those attributes with a quick release. He doesn’t shoot it from 3-point range much in high school as he prefers to get easy baskets in the paint, but that skill set makes him a hot commodity for college programs. He recently picked up his first offer from University of Illinois-Chicago and has drawn significant interest from several other Division I programs in recent months.
O’mar Stanley, 6’8, F, 2020, Blue Valley West
The Hogan Prep transfer continues to impress with a long, athletic frame and an emerging skill set. He is still a little raw at the offensive end of the court, but demonstrates flashes of the ability to operate on the perimeter as he can handle the ball a little, shoot from the 3-point arc and can also bang on the low block. Stanley is a terrific rebounder for his age and has impressed with his work on the boards.
Siler Tschirhart, 6’8, PF/C, 2019, Blue Valley
Blue Valley is a young team with several players who are getting their feet wet at the varsity level and while they have struggled at times, Tschirhart has taken his game to new heights this season. He is strong and physical and has an old-school mentality in the post, willing to pound his man in the block and score over and through defenders. Tschirhart has great hands and really attacks passes into the post, a skill set that is vastly underrated. Look for him to start to draw additional interest from college programs over the next year.
Reece Williams, 6’7, PF, 2020, Leavenworth
Williams is a big, physical presence on the court with a big frame and while he can score in the post, he also brings an element of finesse to the court for a big man. Williams can handle the ball in the full court, going coast-to-coast off a defensive rebound, can face up in the high post, and can also take his game to the low post as well where he has an array of moves. He is a solid shooter and a deft passer. Williams is putting together a solid season for a young Leavenworth team and has a bright future ahead of him.