Here comes the Sunrise Academy

If a coach finds their way to Bel Aire, Kan. on the north side of Wichita, then they won't have much trouble finding Sunrise Christian Academy. Simply look for the water tower and there a coach will find Sunrise, coach Kyle Lindsted and a program that has become host to some international talent.

In 2010, Sunrise graduates Raphael Akpejiori of Nigeria and Leon Cooper from the Bahamas went on to Miami and Utah State respectively. This year, Sunrise's roster includes players from France, England, Serbia, Nigeria and the Bahamas among other places.

They can play too. As Rivals.com saw first hand during a practice on Monday night.

Leading the way for Sunrise is Eric Katenda. A near 6-foot-8 faceup four man who showed plenty of promise while playing for the Albany City Rocks during April's Boo Wiiliams tournament, Katenda has transferred schools and has now fully battled back from appendicitis.

A native of France, the long armed Katenda is a smooth athlete who runs the floor, elevates effortlessly for dunks and shows good skill and agility.

"He's got Georgia Tech,Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Iowa right now," said Lindsted. "Those are really the main four that have don the work with him."

Though he doesn't totally rule out adding other programs, Katenda is happy with the schools recruiting him and wants to focus on his game and academics.

"I played so well at Boo and then I had to go to the hospital and missed the rest of the tournaments," said Katenda. "I'm just trying to get my grades where they need to be."

Joining Katenda on the front line is Gabe Olaseni. Though he's like a little shorter than his listed 6-foot-10, the London native is athletic, runs the floor very well and has a solid 220 pound frame to build upon.

"I would say Iowa and Clemson are at the top right now," said Lindsted of the schools that have been pursuing Olaseni. "Utah State wants him right now, Wichita State likes him."

One of those charged with getting the two big men the ball is junior combo guard Buddy Hield. A long, 6-foot-3, shooter with deep range, confidence and a quick trigger, Hield is very comfortable in his role as a leader.

Hield has only been away from his home in the Bahamas for four months but is already making waves.

"Buzz Williams from Marquette loves Buddy," said Lindsted. "Just about everybody who comes in and has seen him loves him. They are just all kind of sliding their feet in the door."

All told, coaches from Kansas State, Kansas, Wichita State, Missouri, Marquette, Missouri State, Utah State, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Colorado, Clemson, Iowa State, Iowa, Central Michigan, Western Kentucky, Oral Roberts, Memphis, Rhode Island and others have been in to watch Lindsted's squad work out this fall.

Because they are not a member of the Kansas state high school athletics association, Sunrise is able to bring in players from all over. However, says Lindsted, they do not re-classify players and everybody on their roster is with their natural class.

In addition to Katenda, Olaseni and Hield, Sunrise features several other prospects with potential to play college basketball at one level or another.