KC Classic: Top Big Men
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The final day of the Kansas City Classic in Lawrence, Kan. on Sunday featured several players putting together solid performances. Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several of the top big men at the event.
24 — Marque English, 6’6, F, 2018, Pittsburg (Kan.), Victory
English continues to shine this spring after a big senior season at Pittsburg. He is known for his shot blocking and ability to finish at the rim, but has become an all-around threat, able to put the ball on the floor and shoot from the perimeter.
35 — Kael Kordonowy, 6’7, F, 2019, Maize South (Kan.), River City Hoops
Kordonowy is a long interior player with a lot of bounce in his step who builds a wall defensively around the basket. He does a good job of standing his ground and challenging shots without getting into foul trouble and was among the tournament’s better all-around shot blockers. Offensively he struggled in an opening night loss to KC Spurs Black, but rallied to put together a terrific weekend at that end of the floor as well. He’s a player with some upside and potential due to his length and ability to defend.
33 — Andrew O’Brien, 6’5, F, 2019, Halstead (Kan.), MTXE Navy
A long, rangy forward, Halstead’s Andrew O’Brien runs the floor exceptionally well and present a shot blocker at the defensive end.
40 — O’Mar Stanley, 6’8, F, 2020, Blue Valley West (Kan.), MoKan Elite 16U
Stanley is among the state’s best big men in the 2020 class, armed with a big frame and the ability to play above the rim at the offensive end of the court, block shots at the defensive end of the floor, as well as the ability to play on the perimeter some as well. He can shoot the 3, handle the ball a little and can finish plays in traffic.
32 — Ethan Vlasic, 6’7, PF/C, 2019, Blue Valley North (Kan.), KC Spurs Grey
We’ve written a lot about Vlasic here this spring, but he’s a hard player not to like. He’s gotten noticably tougher and stronger with the ball since we’ve saw him play a limited role with Blue Valley North during the high school season. While he can knock down an occasional 10-15 foot shot on the baseline or from the elbow, he doesn’t score a lot, but still has a positive effect on a game. He challenges shots around the basket defensively, rebounds and plays tough basketball in the paint.