KS Top 250 Expo: The Top 2022 and 2023 Shooters
As the three point shot continues to grow and grow in importance and in popularity within the game of basketball, having the ability to knock it down in a variety of ways is becoming a necessary skill for players to…
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Continue ReadingAs the three point shot continues to grow and grow in importance and in popularity within the game of basketball, having the ability to knock it down in a variety of ways is becoming a necessary skill for players to have and develop. Throughout the day Saturday, the three ball was flying all over the gym especially in the up and down environment of the games.
There was a ton of shooting ability at the Expo in the class of 2022 and 2023, below are the players that really stood out and displayed a high level of knocking down the three ball.
Kaeden Bonner, 5’11 Guard, Seaman, 2023
Bonner was a stand out last year for the Seaman basketball squad as a freshman and this summer his game continued to develop in many different areas, but his ability to shoot from the perimeter remains his staple. On Saturday, Bonner highlighted his compact and smooth 3 ball in a variety of ways, off the bounce, on catch and shoots, and coming off of screens. In game two on the day, he has a great run rattling of 12 points off of threes in a short stretch in the second half. He really shines shooting the ball from both wings and got a lot of his looks from around that area. He has a solid and quick release which is really smooth and consistent, and as he continues to grow and gain more athleticism it will make it only that much more difficult to defend the Seaman guard on the perimeter.
Brayden Shorter, 6’4 Guard/Wing, Kickapoo, 2023
Shorter very well may have been the best wing shooter in the gym from any class at the Expo on Saturday, knocking down a barrage of threes in all of his games on the day and he shot the ball with efficiency. His 6’4 frame, quick release, and ability to get himself on balance regardless of his footing makes contesting his shots very difficult and ineffective a lot of the time. The Kickapoo wing was tremendous running lanes in transition getting to his spot and receiving kick ahead passes leading to him getting his feet down fast and lifting into 3 point makes. He has great range extending beyond the high school three point line and tremendous confidence in his shooting ability, making him a threat from all over the floor.
Terrance Tedder, 6′ Guard, Junction City, 2022
A player who’s three point shot has developed quite a bit in the last year, highlighting his wilingness to get into the gym and get shots up, Tedder was being dared early and often Saturday to take three point shots and he made the defense pay over and over in game 1. Tedder hit 5 threes in game one most of which came off of pull ups in transition and in the half court. It took no time for defenses to realize his shooting ability, and Tedder’s confidence grew and took that into the next two games. The Junction City guard took the momentum from game 1 and displayed two more great shooting performances from deep on the day, and has great lift and ball control on his pull up jumpers. The development of his three ball adds another tool to a solid guard who can get to the rim off the dribble. Tedder will be a nice piece to his Junction City back court this season.
Ahlante Askew, 5’11 Guard, Republic, 2023
Another 2023 guard at the Expo on Saturday that showed great poise, balance, and consistency on their jump shots that translated into a lot of 3 point makes. Askew has a nice build to him as a 2023 guard and is a tough finisher in and around the rim on drives. However, the smoothness in his three ball stood out and how he can get it off with ease was definitely and stand out aspect of his game. His ability to have the great deep ball along with his efficiency scoring off of drives, Askew was a tough guard to contain on Saturday. I really liked how he transitioned from his dribble into his pull up jumper, getting on balance and in rhythm with little wasted effort. His team got up and down in transition and put up a lot of points this weekend, and the Republic guard and his shooting ability was a massive contributor to the cause.
Mason Gomez, 6’2 Guard, Topeka West, 2023
Gomez was a new name for me as I watched this Saturday but his ability to knock down catch and shoot threes caught my attention right from the start of the day. The Topeka West guard is a lefty with nice footwork on the catch and can get his shot off quickly. Gomez made a living knocking down threes in both corners off of drive and kicks or extra passes along the perimeter. With some of his Topeka West teammates this year being guys who can attack hard and make a living inside, Gomez could have ample opportunities to be a contributor knocking down kick out threes. Saturday he remained down and ready to shoot, and got up into shots fast and with confidence. He played within himself at the Expo and took really good shots and knocked them down at a high level.