Frontcourt Forces: Kansas 2026 Posts Shine During Summer 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the 2025 summer, I had the opportunity to watch many of talented the athletes across Kansas, and a few frontcourt standouts made a lasting impression. From dominant post presence to surprising versatility, these players brought intensity, skill, and leadership to their teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1042539' first='Lani' last='Speer'], Carlie Speer, and [player_tooltip player_id='1265341' first='Piper' last='Fox'] are just a few of the rising seniors who made their mark with physical play, shot-blocking ability, scoring touch, and an undeniable presence in the paint. Here's a closer look at the impact they had—and why college coaches should be paying close attention heading into their final high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1042539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68825b0b0b080"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1042539' first='Lani' last='Speer'] stands out as one of the most dominant center/forwards I've had the chance to watch this summer. She has great presence inside the paint, whether she's owning the paint on offense or protecting it on defense. Her shot-blocking ability impacts the game in an instant, forcing opponents to second-guess drives and post moves. She has great timing, length, and instincts around the rim are elite, and she brings a level of physicality that anchors her team on both ends of the floor. With her skill set continuing to rise and confidence building, She is positioning herself for a breakout senior season that college coaches won't want to miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carlie Speer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dighton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68825b0b0b1de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carlie Speer, one of the stronger center/forwards I had the opportunity to watch this summer brings strength, toughness, and an all business presence to the interior for Dighton High School. Her ability to hold position, battle for rebounds, and finish through contact makes her a vital piece of the Hornets' frontcourt. She doesn't just occupy space, she dominates it with a physical style of play that wears down opponents. Heading into her senior season alongside her sister Lani, Carlie is poised to be one half of a powerful and imposing interior duo. Together, the Speer sisters are set to form a frontcourt that could cause serious problems for opposing teams all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1265341"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68825b0b0b277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1265341' first='Piper' last='Fox'] emerged as one of the most surprising and impressive center/forwards of the summer, and I was lucky enough to watch it. Her length immediately stands out, but it's her aggressiveness and motor that truly make her a difference-maker in the paint. Whether she's crashing the boards, contesting shots, or finishing at the rim, she plays with a relentless edge. She showed the ability to score in a number of ways, off put-backs, and post moves, showing she has the ability to be a versatile offensive threat. As she continues to grow into her frame and refine her skill set, Piper is a name to keep an eye on heading into her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->