10 CLASS 5A BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2022-23
 

KETRALEUS ALDRIDGE, HIGHLAND PARK

One-half of Highland Park's dynamic scoring duo along with Juan'Tario Roberts, Aldridge checked in with 19 points per game last year in helping the Scots return to the Class 5A state tournament. With Roberts having graduated, Aldridge might see his scoring elevate to another level this season. The 6-foot-5 guard/forward can score inside and out and also added 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 assists per game last year in showing off a well-rounded game. He earned first-team All-Centennial League and honorable mention All-Class 5A honors and is receiving low-Division I and Division II interest.
 

WILL ANCIAUX, KAPAUN MT. CARMEL
 
Anciaux, a Kansas State football signee, was a key part of Kapaun’s basketball success last season, averaging 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds during the Crusaders’ 21-2 season. The 6-foot-6 forward helped Kapaun sweep Class 6A champion Wichita Heights to tilt the scales in the Greater Wichita Athletic League race and earned all-league first-team honors. Anciaux is one of two returning starters from a team that won 21 consecutive games before a 5A quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Seaman.
 

ISAIAH ATWATER, MAIZE SOUTH
 
Atwater’s assertiveness continued to evolve last season, as he averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 assists to help the Mavericks win 15 games last season. The veteran point guard, who earned All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I first-team honors, will direct a squad that features five players with starting experience, a good sign as Maize South looks to improve on its third-place finish in AVCTL I.
 

SINCERE AUSTIN, TOPEKA WEST

Austin emerged as a strong floor leader as a sophomore during Topeka West's run to the 2021 Class 5A state championship game. He became an even bigger part of the team's success last year, helping the Chargers win the Centennial League title for the second straight year and return to state, finishing 21-2 overall. Austin improved his scoring average from 3.8 per game as a sophomore to 10.6 per contest as a junior while also nearly doubling his assists per game to 3.1 per game. With All-Stater Elijah Brooks having graduated, Austin may take on an even bigger scoring load this year.
 

KAEDEN BONNER, SEAMAN

A potent scorer for Seaman since his arrival, particularly from long range, Bonner took things to another level at last year's Class 5A state tournament, helping the Vikings capture their first state championship in program history. Bonner ranked third on the team in scoring for the season at 12.8 points per game, but upped that average to 15.3 per game at the state tournament. Bonner hit 6 3-pointers in the semifinal upset of defending champion Maize and added a 4-for-4 performance from deep in the 66-47 win over De Soto in the title game. Bonner hit 58 3-pointers in all last year, just 10 shy of his combined total as a freshman and sophomore. the 6-foot-2 guard earned second-team All-Centennial League and honorable mention All-Class 5A honors and will be the primary scorer for Seaman this year after graduation claimed last year's top-two scorers.
 

DAVID COBIN, DE SOTO

Safe to say Cobin was arguably one of the biggest breakout performers in the state in 2021-22. Playing varsity for the first time last year as a sophomore, Cobin helped lead De Soto to the Class 5A state championship game where the Wildcats fell to Seaman. Cobin averaged 17.4 points per game, and scored 23 in the state semifinal game, hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in a 58-56 win over St. James Academy. Cobin not only led De Soto in scoring, but also in rebounding (5.1 rpg), assists (3 apg) and steals (2.4 spg). A 5-foot-10 point guard, Cobin was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference and second-team All-Class 5A pick last year.
 

MASON ENGLISH, PITTSBURG

English earned All-State third team and All-SEK first team honors as a sophomore last season. He averaged 21 points, 5.3 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game for a Pittsburg team that finished the year with a 15-4 record. English will try to push the Dragons further than last year’s sub-state final exit. WILL ROST, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Rost earned All-State honorable mention and All-EKL second team honors as a junior last season. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game last season. He also averaged nearly a block and a steal per game on the defensive side of the floor. Rost will try to push the Saints further than last year’s sub-state first round exit.

ELI SHETLAR, ANDOVER
 
Shetlar and the Trojans have lofty aspirations this season after finishing 17-5 last season. The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter is one of five returning senior starters. He averaged 17.8 points, 8 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season for Andover, which entered the 2022-23 season atop the KBCA’s Class 5A rankings. Shetlar was All-Class 5A third team and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division II second team.
 

KOBE SMITH, ANDOVER CENTRAL
 
Smith made his presence felt last season after transferring from Wichita Southeast, leading the Jaguars to the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division II title and earning league MVP honors. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 19.9 points and 4.7 rebounds. Smith, one of four returning senior starters, also was named All-Class 5A second team after leading Central to an 18-4 record.