Kansas Features Impressive Freshmen Class: The 2027 All-Deck Team

The most surprising aspect of scouting in Kansas this past season was the number of high-quality freshmen playing at big schools.   One tends to think that freshmen at smaller schools have more of an opportunity to log major playing time, but this group of youngsters played significant roles, even some starting ones, for teams Class 4A and up. Each one is proof that the cream truly rises to the top.   This is the final All-Deck team for this prep season and I would pay big money to see each of the four teams square off in a quick tourney.   [player_tooltip player_id='671505' first='Maddie' last='Vickery'], 6'1”, F, Washburn Rural   As a freshman, Vickery is already one of the top players in Kansas. She is a Division I player in the making. She plays shutdown defense and can score from three levels. Vickery lives and breathes roundball, so there is no doubt she will be playing college basketball one day.   [player_tooltip player_id='836263' first='Cami' last='Nauholz'], 6'1”, PF, Lawrence   Nauholz and Vickery in the same frontcourt would be like having Tim Duncan and Karl Malone in the same lineup. Both forwards can score around the rim and make solid passes against zone defenses. Nauholz runs the floor well and works for rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='791747' first='Bella' last='Bouddhara'], 5'7”, PG, Andover   I saw Bouddhara a couple of times this season, and I was more impressed with her game each time. She was Andover's top guard off the bench and picked up her game in the Class 5A State Tournament after a fellow Trojan was injured. In this lineup, her main role would be to distribute the ball and play mean defense.   Shadai Jackson,  5'5”, SG, Derby   Jackson is the fast, faster, and fastest player on the court. She scores well in transition and moves well driving the ball and working off screens. She will continue to improve as a jump shooter and become more dangerous as she adds some upper-body strength.   [player_tooltip player_id='999826' first='Reagan' last='Winter'], 5'10”, PF, Andale   Winter is one of the best post-defenders I scouted all season. She is a real beast in the paint. She can jump out of the gym and in this lineup would play the 3, 4, or 5. Winter will be a serious scoring threat on this roster loaded with tall talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='719105' first='Jaela' last='Thompson'], 5'8”, SF, McPherson   Thompson was my favorite prospect from the Class 4A state tournament. She is quick, physical, and has solid instincts on the court. She would be my first option on the bench when I need to push the pace. The McPherson prospect takes care of the ball and creates her own shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='932958' first='Dru' last='Zeka'], 5'7”, SF, Wellington   Zeka is a 3-point sharpshooter who can play shooting guard or small forward. She works hard to get open and is a dangerous outside scoring threat after she feeds the ball inside. The Wellington youngster is only going to get better with gained experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='895825' first='Ana' last='Lawrence'], 5'9”, PF, Newton   Lawrence is a bulldozer in the paint. She is strong and understands how to post up taller defenders and create space. She will outrebound taller players because she knows how to block out opponents, which has become more of a lost art.   Jelena Depusoir,  5'9”, PF, Manhattan   I saw Manhattan super early in the season, but Depusoir was a scoring threat in the paint right from the get-go. Practicing against this group of forwards day in and day out would make her an even more dangerous player.   Avery Ingram,  5'8”, G/F, Manhattan   Ingram is a plus-defender who gets lots of steals by anticipating where the ball is headed. She is lanky and moves well. She arguably will be the top defender on this roster and will play an important role when I want to adjust to a smaller lineup.

The most surprising aspect of scouting in Kansas this past season was the number of high-quality freshmen playing at big schools.