CLASS 1A DIVISION I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025-26
 

  
QUENTIN ALDERFER, CENTRALIA
 
Alderfer has started since his freshman year and became a much bigger force last year as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 guard led the Panthers in scoring, pouring in 13.8 points per game, up five points per game from his freshman year average. He also added 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game and earned first-team All-Twin Valley League and honorable mention All-Class 1A Division I honors. Alderfer is the lone returning starter for Centralia this year as the Panthers look to get back to the state tournament.
 

 
WES ANDERSON, FRANKFORT
 
Whether it’s a football or basketball in his hand, Anderson has been one of the most productive players in Frankfort history. He finished his football career ranked No. 2 all-time in passing yards at the Eight-Man level. On the basketball court, he can pass it as well, as his 4 assists per game indicate. But he can also fill up the basket as he’s led the Wildcats in scoring each of the past two seasons. After averaging 13 points per game as a sophomore, Anderson upped that to 17 points per game last year. He also added 5.5 rebounds and 2 steals per game, earning first-team All-Twin Valley League honors for the second straight year. Anderson was third-team All-Class 1A Division I as well.
 

JAMES BRAUN, CENTRAL-BURDEN
 
After a state tournament appearance in 2023-24, Braun helped Central-Burden keep the arrow pointing upward last season. He averaged 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds as the Raiders posted a 17-6 record. While Central finished one victory shy of a repeat state trip in Class 1A Division I, Braun earned All-South Central Border League first-team honors, and is one of three returning starters along with seniors Gunnar Parsons and Ty Henderson. Braun was a top-30 finisher at the Class 1A state cross country meet in November, helping the Raiders post a fourth-place team finish.
 

 ASA BRISCOE, SOUTH GRAY

Briscoe took on an increased role for the Rebels last season. He provided a significant scoring punch inside, averaging 14.2 points and adding 6.5 rebounds per game. Following up a state title in the 2023-24 season, South Gray went 21-5 last season and claimed third place in 1A Division I. Briscoe earned All-SPIAA second-team honors and was honorable mention All-1A Division I.
 

SAWYER CAMPBELL, KIOWA COUNTY

Campbell put up strong numbers as a junior last season, averaging 17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He entered his senior campaign with 1,208 career points. Campbell helped the Mavericks go 18-5 and win the SPIAA regular-season title last season. He was a second-team All-1A Division I selection and earned first-team all-league honors. “He’s very skilled,” Kiowa County coach Matt Hoffman said. “A scoring threat and a defensive lockdown player.”
 

 BRODIE CRITES, CENTRAL PLAINS

Crites, a junior, helped the Oilers go 19-6 and take fourth in 1A Division I last season. He averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.5 steals as a sophomore. Crites has started for the Oilers since he was a freshman. He earned first-team All-Central Prairie League honors last season and was named third-team All-1A Division I. Crites is one of five returners with varsity experience for Central Plains.
 

 
OCTAVIAN DEAN, MADISON
 
A menace on the football field from his defensive end spot, Dean has progressively become a force on the basketball court as well. After coming off the bench his freshman season, Dean has locked down the post position for the Bulldogs the past two seasons and led them in scoring last year with 16.5 points per game. He also grabbed 6 rebounds per contest. Those numbers could go up even more this season. Dean was second-team All-Lyon County League and honorable mention All-Class 1A Division I last year.
 

EMMET DELP, ST. JOHN

The 6-foot-7 Delp is primed for a big sophomore season after impressing as a freshman. He averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Delp shot at a 35.5 percent clip from 3-point range. “Emmett is as good of a shooter we’ve had here for a long time,” St. John coach Danton Hilton said. “He has added some weight/explosiveness and is looking to finish and dunk at the rim more.” Delp earned first-team All-Central Prairie League and honorable mention All-1A Division I honors last season for the 12-9 Tigers.
 

 
COLE FRANK, WABAUNSEE
 
Frank helped Wabaunsee make the transition to new head coach Tim Klein a smooth one for the Chargers a year ago as they finished with a 15-7 record and wound up runner-up in the Flint Hills League. The 5-foot-10 senior guard led the Chargers in scoring last year as a junior, averaging 17 points per game, up six points a game from his sophomore season. He shared the team lead in rebounds as well with 8 per game. With six seniors graduating, but three starters returning, Frank will be counted on even more as Wabaunsee moves down to Class 1A Division I from Class 2A this season. He was a first-team all-league selection and honorable mention All-2A pick last year.
 

JAREN FRICKEY, ELLIS

Frickey is Ellis’ top returning scorer from last season’s 9-13 team. He averaged 11.5 points as a junior. Frickey earned first-team All-Mid Continent League honors. He was honorable mention All-1A Division I. The Railroaders have a new coach this year in Kobi Shubert.

 

 
JAREN GARRISON, LITTLE RIVER
 
The younger brother of former All-State Top 5 selection Jayden Garrison, Jaren is already making a name for himself. Having started since his freshman year, Garrison battled through injuries throughout that season, but was fully healthy last year and his numbers showed it. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game on his way to earning first-team All-Wheat State League honors. He’s grown into a leadership role for the Redskins and was an honorable mention All-Class 1A Division I selection. He’ll look to lead Little River back to a winning campaign this year after they finished 11-11 last year.
 

 
HENRY GEIGER, TROY
 
First-year head coach Heath Whetstine will find his job a little easier having Geiger to build around during his first season. A year ago, the 6-foot-3 forward emerged as Troy’s top player, leading the team in scoring with 15 points per game and rebounding with 7 boards per game on his way to earning first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors. Geiger, who has committed to Doane College, has averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game for his career and is a three-year starter.
 

 
JACK HERD, SOUTH CENTRAL

After helping lead South Central to an Eight-Player Division I state championship this fall, Herd will look to help the Timberwolves again contend for a basketball state title. South Central made the state championship game last season before falling to Olpe to finish 23-3. Herd put up 17.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 3.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior. He earned first-team honors on the All-1A Division I and All-SPIAA teams. “Jack is one of the best all-around athletes in the state,” South Central coach Bud Valerius said. “He is an extremely tough matchup because of his ability to shoot and drive on the perimeter but can also post up smaller players.”
 
 

JACE HOFFMAN, BISHOP SEABURY

Hoffman enters his final season as one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in Bishop Seabury history—yet he’s far from finished adding to his legacy. The 6-foot shooting guard has started every game from his sophomore year through now, with five starts as a freshman, and has steadily developed into the Seahawks’ go-to scorer and playmaker. Hoffman is coming off a strong junior campaign in which he averaged 15.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2 steals per game, earning first-team all-Kawl Valley league and all-state honorable mention honors while helping Seabury to a 14–6 season and a sub-state semifinal appearance against Frankfort. For his career, he’s posted 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. This winter could be historic. Hoffman is just 70 points shy of 1,000 and 100 points from becoming Seabury’s all-time leading scorer. He is also a state medalist in golf and a member of Seahawks’ soccer team.

LEE HOLOPIREK, LA CROSSE

Holopirek is one of four returning starters for the Leopards, who finished 12-10 last season. He averaged 13.6 points and 3.9 assists in his junior season. Holopirek scored a season-high 32 points against Dighton. He also put up 25 against Otis-Bison. Holopirek was a second-team All-Central Prairie League choice and earned honorable mention All-1A Division I honors.
 

JAKE HUNTER, FLINTHILLS
 
Part of a talented group of South Central Border League underclassmen last season, Hunter, now a senior, earned an all-league first-team spot after averaging 22.6 points, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals for the Mustangs. That followed a sophomore campaign in which the 5-foot-10 point guard averaged 16.8 points, 2.5 assists and 2.7 steals. Hunter surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone last February before Flinthills’ 11-8 season ended with a sub-state loss to Canton-Galva. Hunter will work alongside four other returning starters this season.
 

 
CASEN HUTFLES, ONAGA
 
Hutfles enters his third year as a starter for the Buffaloes, having started since his freshman year. After a modest freshman season in which he was limited by injury and averaged just 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds, Hutfles stepped it up in a big way last year. He led Onaga in scoring with 12.3 points per game and also tripled his rebound total with 9.7 boards a game. He finished just shy of 200 rebounds on the season and at 6-foot-3 is a tough matchup at guard, able to score both inside and out. Hutfles earned first-team All-Twin Valley League honors and was honorable mention All-1A Division I.
 

SAMUEL LYNN, MEADE

Lynn put together an impressive junior campaign, averaging 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.5 assists. The Buffaloes went 14-8 last season, falling to eventual state runner-up South Central by a point in the sub-state semifinals. Lynn earned first-team All-SPIAA honors and was honorable mention All-1A Division I. Lynn is one of five returning starters for the Buffaloes.
 

BRAXON MANGAN, GREELEY COUNTY

Mangan will look to build off a strong sophomore campaign that saw him average 15.5 points. The Jackrabbits went 14-8, falling to Central Plains in the sub-state championship game. Mangan had six games with 20 points or more including a pair of 29-point outings. He was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League choice and was honorable mention All-1A Division I. The Jackrabitts will have to replace a standout in now-graduated Lincoln Shafer, who helped Greeley County win back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023.
 
 

 
CALVIN MATTISON, SOLOMON
 
One of two returning starters for the Gorillas this season, Mattison returns after leading them in scoring and rebounding last year. The 6-foot-5 junior had a breakout sophomore season in which he averaged 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, falling just shy of averaging a double-double. Mattison was a first-team All-Wheat State League selection and earned honorable mention All-Class 1A Division I honors.
 

 
BRECKEN MCGUIRE, OLPE
 
When Olpe lost Dexton Hoelting to a season-ending football injury for the 2023-24 season, McGuire stepped in as a freshman and ran the point for Olpe and helped lead the Eagles to a 22-4 record and third-place finish at the Class 1A Division I state tournament, averaging just over 16 points per game. With Hoelting back last year, he and McGuire formed a dominating guard duo and Olpe rode them to its third state championship in five years, beating South Central in the title game. McGuire led the Eagles with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per game, earning first-team All-Lyon County League and first-team All-Class 1A Division I honors. He’s already scored 854 points in his career and with second-leading returning scorer Abbott Bailey out for the season with an injury and Hoelting having graduated, McGuire will carry even bigger load this season.
 

IAN MELENDEZ, SPEARVILLE

Melendez turned in an exceptional junior season, averaging 21.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Spearville went 16-8, losing to South Gray in sub-state. Melendez scored in double-digits in every game last season and had a pair of 32-point performances. He shot 40% from three-point range. Melendez earned a second-team spot on the All-1A Division I team and was first-team All-SPIAA. He is also a state champion high jumper.
 

 JEREMIAH MILLER, LINCOLN

After quarterbacking the Lincoln football team to a state runner-up finish this fall, Miller will look to help the Leopards build off last year’s 15-win basketball season. Miller is the Leopards’ leading returning scorer after averaging 12 points and 5.7 rebounds as a sophomore. He’s part of a strong junior trio for Lincoln that includes his twin brother, Xavier, and Ben Bell. Miller earned second-team All-Northern Plains League honors last season and was honorable mention All-1A Division I.

LINCOLN'S XAVIER MILLER 

Miller finished just behind his older brother in scoring last season, averaging 11.8 points per game. He just completed a huge season at receiver for the Leopards’ state runner-up football team. Miller earned third-team All-Northern Plains League honors in basketball last season as a sophomore. The Leopards have a new coach this season in Rick Kissack.
 

TYLER OSTMEYER, OBERLIN-DECATUR 

Ostmeyer averaged a double-double last season with 16.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game as a junior. He scored 20 or more points in eight different games last season including a season-high 29 against St. Francis. He was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League choice and earned honorable mention All-1A Division I honors. Oberlin-Decatur went 11-10 a season ago.

 

 
DRAKE SKIRVIN, BURLINGAME
 
After being a complementary player during his first two seasons, Skirvin became the focal point for Burlingame a year ago and was one of the top post players in Class 1A. His scoring averaged soared to 21.3 points per game and he averaged a double-double with 13 rebounds per game as well. He also turned away shots at a high rate, recording 3 blocks per game. A unanimous All-Lyon County League pick and second-team All-Class 1A Division I selection Skirvin is the lone returning starter for the Bearcats this year and will draw even more attention from opposing defenses as his supporting cast develops.
 

GAVIN WAHL, SOUTH GRAY

Wahl’s decorated resume already includes helping South Gray win a basketball state championship and two golf state titles in addition to his two individual state golf titles. He averaged 21.9 points per game last season as a junior for the Rebels, who followed up their state title in 2024 with a third-place finish a year ago. Wahl, a 6-foot-5 guard, was a first-team All-1A Division I pick and also earned first-team All-SPIAA honors.   

KOLE WALTER, COLONY-CREST

Colony-Crest enters the new season with one of the Three Rivers League’s top young guards in Walter, who returns after an impressive freshman campaign. Walter had a big freshman season, earning honorable mention all-state recognition from multiple publications and securing a spot on the Three Rivers League first team. Last season, Walter averaged 13.2 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, finishing with 278 total points while establishing himself as one of Crest’s top players.