The Grassroots Season watching the PRO16 and NXT have given me a great opportunity to see a lot of talented Kansas Teams and player. Wichita happened to feature a lot of them playing in their home state. Over the next couple of days, I will be doing player evaluations of Kansas players that played in Wichita. These will all be players I haven’t yet covered at the event.

Dallas Metzger | 2024 | 6’3 | G | Midwest Buckets | Derby

Metzger’s recruitment currently features offers from Tabor and Friends. He’s a highly skilled guard that creates a high number of looks for himself and others on the offensive end of the floor. With an efficient jumper from three, great passing vision, and crafty finishing on drives, Metzger is able to make the defense pay in a variety of ways with or without the ball in his hands. Effectiveness coming off screens, cutting, running pick and roll, or creating off the dribble give him the versatility that is likely a big part of what intrigues colleges about the guard’s game. The vision he has as a passer also extends to the defensive end, where he reads actions to disrupt the offense. With his solid frame, Metzger is able to compete on the boards and wall off drivers. Adding strength and quickness would help Metzger on the ball defensively, grabbing more rebounds, and opening up more opportunities as a finisher on drives.

Tory Homan | 2024 | 6’7 | F | Midwest Buckets | Maize South

There is a ton to like about Homan’s game. A bouncy above the rim finisher, capable face up big, floor spacer from three, and effective roll man, Homan fits well into a modern offense as a stretch forward. Playing with a high effort level, Homan is a playmaker as a two-way rebounder, rim runner, cutter, shot blocker, and active defender on the perimeter on switches and in pick and roll coverage. He doesn’t force things, helping him to make a consistent positive impact for his team. Working on keeping his eyes up when he puts the ball on the deck, passing out of the short corner and short rolls, and continuing to add strength will be key. Homan currently holds offers from Washburn, Newman, Concordia, and MidAmerica Nazarene.

Gavin Harvey | 2024 | 5’11 | G | PAC Basketball | Blue Valley West

Harvey picked up his first offer in the last week from Friends University. He’s a quick, highly skilled point guard that is playing his best basketball lately. His leadership on the court in the floor general position, floor vision, knockdown shooting, and perimeter defense are all what make him a next level player. You know when Harvey steps on the court that his is going to play hard, make the right plays, and make his teammates better around him.

Will Cravens | 2024 | 6’2 | G | KS Team 2024 | Ellsworth

Cravens has recently picked up a trio of offers in July from Bethel, McPherson, and Sterling. He’s been among the most consistent guards on the offensive end that I’ve watched throughout the Summer. His multi-level scoring, shot creation, and smooth handle make him hard to handle with the ball in his hands. Length, burst, and touch to get to and convert in the paint add to the difficulty defenses have staying in front of him. On the other end, Cravens locks in on the ball and makes plays off it in help side. A capable passer, Cravens keeps the ball moving and can facilitate out of pick and roll. Continuing to gain comfortability and timing as a playmaker will be important as he moves to the next level.

Kyden Thompson | 2024 | 6’1 | G | KS Team 2024 | McPherson

Thomson is an explosive athlete and slasher. He can really get up and creates separation going downhill. In the paint, he can rise up for dunks or finish creatively through traffic. To counter his drives, Thompson does a good job keeping his eyes up to hit teammates or pulling up from deep when he gets given space. His agility and speed help him to lock down on defense and compete on the boards. The defense, rim pressure, transition effect, and floor spacing that Thompson provides should get him next level opportunities.

Quevon Purucker | 2024 | 6’1 | G | SSA Hoops Black | Salina South

Purucker was excellent in the first game I have been able to watch him in Wichita. He really brings it each and every game on both sides of the ball. Throughout play in the spring summer, he has caught eyes with his intensity on the ball defensively and playmaking on offense. While he carried that great perimeter defense and passing vision into Sunday, Purucker was also making shots at a high level. Getting to the rim and hitting from the three-point line, the guard showed he can convert at multiple levels. I was a big fan of what I saw and look forward to watching him more.

Lovell Autry | 2026 | 5’11 | G | SSA Hoops Black | JCHS

Autry is a force at the point guard spot on both offense and defense. He accelerates quickly, changes directions well, and has great speed end to end. This makes Autry a highly effective driver and pressure defender. Whether it is in transition or half-court, Autry is always a threat to get into the paint when he has the ball in his hands. Not only a driver, but he can also get his teammates going off the pass as well. His effect on both ends of the court helps to make his SSA Black 15u Team very successful. As he develops an efficient jumper from three, something he has shown he is capable of but doesn’t typically do with high volume Autry will be a huge problem to try and stop for defenses. .

Noah McFadden | 2026 | 6’1 | W | SSA Hoops Black | Manhattan

McFadden is a lengthy, athletic wing that has a positive presence on offense and defense. As the picture above illustrates, where Mcfadden is most effective right now is from the three-point line. He has a high release that allows him to get looks off over defenders easily when combined with his height. While he is a very good three-point shooter, McFadden also finishes efficiently in the paint on cuts and drives. On the other end, he can block shots, guard on the wing or against other guards, and get deflections in passing lanes. He will have a chance to be a serious contributor this season.