KC Classic: Parks emerges

THERIVALS150:2015|2016

GARDNER,Kan.--TheweekendbeforeMemorialDayisusuallyaprettylightoneonthegrassrootsbasketballcircuit.Rivals.comwasabletospendmostofSaturdayafternoonattheKCClassic.Asitturnedout,itwastheperfectsettingtogetanextendedlookatsomeundertheradarandsoontobeonthemapprospectslike2016wingWaliParks.

Parkspoisedforbigsummer

Giventhechancetomakeanimpression,6-foot-5smallforwardWaliParksoftheIowaBarnstormersandIowaCity(Iowa)Westmadethemostofit.Athree-starprospectfromtheclassof2016,ParksputtogetheranimpressivedayonSaturday.

Anaturalwingwithlongarms,Parksisalongstrideronthefloorandit'snotasurprisetohearthatheexcelsinthe200and400meterdashesasatrackathlete.Whileheimpresseswithhisabilitytoplayintransitionandhisbasketballframe,whatstoodoutmostaboutParkswasthewayheshottheballduringaSaturdayafternoonexhibitiongamewinoverMoKanElite.

Parksspottedupallaroundthethree-pointlineandmadeseveraldeepshots.Healsogotontheglassasarebounderandplayedanallaroundsolidfloorgame.

Splittingtimebetweentrackandgrassrootshoopsduringthespringhasn'tbeeneasy,butParksfeelslikehe'sheldhisown.

"Imissedafewtournamentsbecauseoftrack,"saidParks."ButthetournamentsthatI'vebeenabletoplayinI'vedonewell."

Sofar,ParkshasapairofscholarshipoffersfromIndianaStateandWesternIllinois.AdditionalinteresthascomeinfromthelikesofNorthernIowa,IllinoisState,Butler,AirForce,IowaandWisconsin.

IfParkscancontinuetoplayatanywhereclosetothelevelhedidonSaturday,moreofferswillcome.Movingforwardhefeelscomfortableasasmallforwardbuthopestotransitiontothetwoguardwithmoreconsistentjumpshooting.

"Ishotprettywelltoday,"Parkssaid."ButifIcangetmoreconsistentwithmyjumperIthinkthatIcouldbemoreofatwoguard.Asitis,I'mprobablymoreofasmallforward.

"IplayhardandIliketoplaydefense.WhenIplayhardmyteamcanreallygetgoing."

Highmajorsoffering2018shootingguard

ThoughtheIowaBarnstomersfelljustshortofachampionshipinthe17UdivisiononSunday,losingtoJCHoops,theywereabletotakehomeatitlebeltinthe15Udivision.BasedonthewayheplayedonSaturday,it'sasafebetthat2018shootingguardJoeWieskamphadalottodowithit.

Itisstillreallyearlyfortheclassof2018,butRivals.comhasn'tseenmanyinthatclasswhocanshootitwithrangeorabasketballIQlikeWieskamp.

Standing6-foot-4withlongarms,theproductofMuscatine(Iowa)Highalreadyhasgoodsizebuthedoesn'tappeartobeanywhereclosetodonegrowing.Aknockdownshooterfromdeep,Wieskampwieldsanaestheticallypleasingjumperthatproducesgreatresults.

Thoughhe'snotahighflyerjustyet,Wieskampshowsgoodmobilityandwhencombinedwithshotfakesandchangesofspeedhecanalreadygetwhereheneedstogo.Hepasseswell,heisagoodenoughdefenderandhewillstickhisnoseintoacrowdforalooseballorarebound.

WieskamphasbeenimpressiveenoughthatbothIowaandIowaStatehavealreadyofferedhimscholarships.He'salsoheardfromNorthernIowa,Creighton,NebraskaandWisconsin.

"IthinktheylikethatIshootitprettywell,"saidWieskamp."IcangettotherimprettywellandIhavegoodsizeforashootingguard."

MorenewsandnotesfromtheKCClassic

Finally, a pair of class of 2018 guards for the Colorado Hawks caught our attention in the 15U division. 6-foot-2 combo guard Daylen KountzClick The son of Iowa head coach Fran McCafferyClick A graduating senior who is right on the cusp of qualifying, point guard Alston JonesClick A 6-foot-6 wing from Papillion (Neb.) La Vista, class of 2018 prospect Edward ChangClick During the high school season, Rivals.com saw 6-foot-5 wing Jared RidderClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link. with Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo and really liked the way he shot the ball from deep. Playing with MoKan Elite's 16U squad, Ridder showed again that he's a dangerous marksman from deep. However, it was his slashing to the rim and overall athleticism that made the biggest impression. Ridder plays with an edge and is taking his game to a new level. He doesn't yet have any Division One offers but he will visit hometown Missouri State on Monday and it wouldn't be a surprise if he picked up his first offer during the visit. He's also had early feelers from MissouriClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link., Davidson and NorthwesternClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. turned some heads for MoKan Elite's 15U squad. The thin wing has long arms, is a fine transition athlete and can strip the nets from beyond the three-point line. It is early but with his size, athleticism and overall skill set, Chang has the tools to develop into a pretty good prospect as he matures. He's certainly a player that will get lots of looks down the road. Here to view this Link. could likely help out a lower level Division One program if he qualifies. The 5-foot-10 floor general from Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege is an explosive ball handler with quickness and a surprising ability to finish in the lane despite his relative lack of size. He was very good playing for the Pumas 2016 group. Here to view this Link., 2017 wing Connor McCafferyClick A graduating senior who is right on the cusp of qualifying, point guard Alston JonesClick A 6-foot-6 wing from Papillion (Neb.) La Vista, class of 2018 prospect Edward ChangClick During the high school season, Rivals.com saw 6-foot-5 wing Jared RidderClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link. with Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo and really liked the way he shot the ball from deep. Playing with MoKan Elite's 16U squad, Ridder showed again that he's a dangerous marksman from deep. However, it was his slashing to the rim and overall athleticism that made the biggest impression. Ridder plays with an edge and is taking his game to a new level. He doesn't yet have any Division One offers but he will visit hometown Missouri State on Monday and it wouldn't be a surprise if he picked up his first offer during the visit. He's also had early feelers from MissouriClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link., Davidson and NorthwesternClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. turned some heads for MoKan Elite's 15U squad. The thin wing has long arms, is a fine transition athlete and can strip the nets from beyond the three-point line. It is early but with his size, athleticism and overall skill set, Chang has the tools to develop into a pretty good prospect as he matures. He's certainly a player that will get lots of looks down the road. Here to view this Link. could likely help out a lower level Division One program if he qualifies. The 5-foot-10 floor general from Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege is an explosive ball handler with quickness and a surprising ability to finish in the lane despite his relative lack of size. He was very good playing for the Pumas 2016 group. Here to view this Link. is a good looking prospect. A three-star recruit, McCaffery plays with a motor and physicality, has a good looking southpaw jump shot and is an outstanding passer for a 6-foot-5 wing. As he gets stronger and continues to play against top-tier competition, McCaffery looks like a potential Rivals150 type of player in his class. Here to view this Link. and 6-foot-2 shooting guard Deven NelsonClick The son of Iowa head coach Fran McCafferyClick A graduating senior who is right on the cusp of qualifying, point guard Alston JonesClick A 6-foot-6 wing from Papillion (Neb.) La Vista, class of 2018 prospect Edward ChangClick During the high school season, Rivals.com saw 6-foot-5 wing Jared RidderClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link. with Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo and really liked the way he shot the ball from deep. Playing with MoKan Elite's 16U squad, Ridder showed again that he's a dangerous marksman from deep. However, it was his slashing to the rim and overall athleticism that made the biggest impression. Ridder plays with an edge and is taking his game to a new level. He doesn't yet have any Division One offers but he will visit hometown Missouri State on Monday and it wouldn't be a surprise if he picked up his first offer during the visit. He's also had early feelers from MissouriClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link., Davidson and NorthwesternClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. turned some heads for MoKan Elite's 15U squad. The thin wing has long arms, is a fine transition athlete and can strip the nets from beyond the three-point line. It is early but with his size, athleticism and overall skill set, Chang has the tools to develop into a pretty good prospect as he matures. He's certainly a player that will get lots of looks down the road. Here to view this Link. could likely help out a lower level Division One program if he qualifies. The 5-foot-10 floor general from Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege is an explosive ball handler with quickness and a surprising ability to finish in the lane despite his relative lack of size. He was very good playing for the Pumas 2016 group. Here to view this Link., 2017 wing Connor McCafferyClick A graduating senior who is right on the cusp of qualifying, point guard Alston JonesClick A 6-foot-6 wing from Papillion (Neb.) La Vista, class of 2018 prospect Edward ChangClick During the high school season, Rivals.com saw 6-foot-5 wing Jared RidderClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link. with Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo and really liked the way he shot the ball from deep. Playing with MoKan Elite's 16U squad, Ridder showed again that he's a dangerous marksman from deep. However, it was his slashing to the rim and overall athleticism that made the biggest impression. Ridder plays with an edge and is taking his game to a new level. He doesn't yet have any Division One offers but he will visit hometown Missouri State on Monday and it wouldn't be a surprise if he picked up his first offer during the visit. He's also had early feelers from MissouriClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link., Davidson and NorthwesternClick The nation's No. 2 player in the class of 2017, Michael PorterClick Here to view this Link. is still recovering from back problems that have slowed him down during May. On Saturday his usually reliable jump shot wasn't falling at clip it usually does but he was able to get into the lane some and found a way to score 19 points in his MoKan Elite squad's loss to the Iowa Barnstomers in a 17U exhibition game. Here to view this Link.. Here to view this Link. turned some heads for MoKan Elite's 15U squad. The thin wing has long arms, is a fine transition athlete and can strip the nets from beyond the three-point line. It is early but with his size, athleticism and overall skill set, Chang has the tools to develop into a pretty good prospect as he matures. He's certainly a player that will get lots of looks down the road. Here to view this Link. could likely help out a lower level Division One program if he qualifies. The 5-foot-10 floor general from Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege is an explosive ball handler with quickness and a surprising ability to finish in the lane despite his relative lack of size. He was very good playing for the Pumas 2016 group. Here to view this Link. is a good looking prospect. A three-star recruit, McCaffery plays with a motor and physicality, has a good looking southpaw jump shot and is an outstanding passer for a 6-foot-5 wing. As he gets stronger and continues to play against top-tier competition, McCaffery looks like a potential Rivals150 type of player in his class. Here to view this Link. both did some nice things. Kountz can push tempo and the Denver (Wash.) George Washington product is an excellent slasher who gets to the rim and finishes. A quick two guard who has a nice pull-up jump shot, Nelson is a product of Colorado Springs (Colo.) Mesa Ridge and looks to have a nice feel for things on the offensive end.

Click Here to view this Link.