Kansas Class of 2023 Rankings: The Hidden Gems
The class of 2023 in Kansas is sitting pretty with an abundance of talent and great overall kids. The future of basketball in the state is primed and ready to become the now this high school season. From top to…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe class of 2023 in Kansas is sitting pretty with an abundance of talent and great overall kids. The future of basketball in the state is primed and ready to become the now this high school season. From top to bottom the players in the class will have great opportunities with their high school varsity squads to compete at a high level and make some noise. Below we look at some of the players who are hidden in the rankings who have a chance to really explode this high school season.
#18 Patrick McCallop Jr Patrick McCallop Jr 5'10" | PG Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS , 5’10 Point Guard, Bishop Miege
An absolute blur with the ball in his hands, McCallop has a chance to be a nice spark plug and change of pace guard for a loaded back court over at Miege this season. The point guard had a terrific fall playing in multiple camps and participating in the MoKan Fall league, showing off his quck change of pace, speed with the ball, and ability to put tons of pressure on the defenses. He could really give his high school team a consistent presence of high intensity, speed, and relentlessness at the rim this year. Playing on a loaded Miege team this year, McCallop does have a chance to really get some much deserved recognition this year.
#25 Will Mlynek Will Mlynek 6'9" | C Free State | 2023 State KS (Pictured Above), 6’9 Center, Shawnee Mission South
The Shawnee Mission South hoops squad has an abundance of great guards who have made a name for themselves over the summer and this fall however they have themselves somewhat of a hidden gem in a big man centerpiece in Mlynek. The big fella will be a staple on the defensive end with his size being able to wall up and protect the paint, block shots, deflect balls, and clean up both sides of the glass. The Shawnee Mission South center has a chance to really make a name in the high school scene being able to play off of screen and rolls with really solid guards, play off of offensive rebounds, and running the floor. The current ability and future prospects of Will make him a prime candidate from the center spot of moving up the charts after this season.
#31 Isaiah Atwater Isaiah Atwater 5'8" | PG Maize South | 2023 State KS , 5’8 Point Guard, Maize South
Do not let his small size fool you, Atwater is pound for pound one of the toughest and most intriguing guards in the class of 2023. Coming from a family of great basketball players, Atwater is ready to take that mantle and put the state on notice this year. He has a complete package with a good handle, shooting ability, leadership skills, and toughness you need from the lead guard spot. He has a quick release from the 3 point line that negates possibly being a smaller guard on the floor, able to shoot off both the catch and the bounce, and is able to get his shot off and watching him play, he is a tremendous shooter from the corners. Atwater is a candidate to shoot up these rankings as the high school season progresses.
#36 Kaden McDaniel Kaden McDaniel 6'4" | PF Augusta | 2023 State KS , 6’4 Forward, Augusta High School
McDaniel will have a chance to be one of the best up and comer forward prospects in the greater Wichita area. Augusta High school has themselves a very versatile player from the forward spot in Kaden, who can stretch the floor on catch and shoot threes while being a great defensive presence in the paint. He is a unique type of forward who’s offensive game favors around the perimeter, being a zone buster and floor stretcher from the three point line while anchoring the teams defense inside the paint. He has shown the ability to wall up drivers, post players forcing tough shots as well as blocking shots from the weak side with either hand. As he continues to grow and figure out his body, the Augusta forward will have the chance to really shine this year.
#43 Kamryn Kaniper Kamryn Kaniper 6'4" | SF Silver Lake | 2023 State KS , 6’4 Wing, Silver Lake High School
Already having experience being a pivotal piece for his high school varsity squad, Kaniper has a chance to really make a stamp on the Mid-East League scene this year. He has a great combination of size, length, and athleticism that makes him a tough matchup for many teams across the state. The wing is a great three point shooter with range extending well beyond the three point line, and with his length, it is tough to get a good contest on his shots. Over the summer, he improved as a defensive player both in help and on the ball. On the offensive end, as he gets a bigger role with the ball in his hands, he has the chance to really extend his abilities on the offensive end and make him a true 3 level player on offense.
#45 Wyatt Conklin Wyatt Conklin 6'2" | SF Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6’2 Wing, Washburn Rural High School
Conklin could prove to be a vital piece to the Washburn Rural team that has extremely high aspirations this season with a loaded roster that includes the #9 prospect on this list Jack Bachelor Jack Bachelor 6'0" | CG Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS and 2021 standout Joe Berry Joe Berry 6'4" | CG Washburn Rural | 2021 State KS . Wyatt has a little bit of everything to his arsenal on offense, a quick consistent shooting stroke, pull up mid range game, and nice soft touch in and around the painted area. The forward will be a guy that the Washburn team will be able to plug and play in a variety of roles with his flexibility on offense as well as his ability to guard a variety of positions. Conklin is extremely tough and battles constantly on the floor on the defensive end and on the glass. He is also a player that puts in a lot of time in the gym so no doubt he will show consistent growth throughout the season. The wins will come Washburn’s way this year, and Conklin will play a part in plenty of them.