High School Boys - Stock Risers
Updated: Oct 7
Sitton Courtside Photography
High School Boys Stock Risers (Group 2)
Every showcase has players who walk in with expectations — and players who walk out with their stock noticeably higher. The High School Boys Stock Risers are the players who stood out, made plays, competed, and gave us a reason to take a closer look.
From shot-making and playmaking to toughness, athleticism, defensive impact and overall feel for the game, these players showed something that caught our attention. Some may already be established names in the region, while others are starting to make their presence known.
Here are the players who helped themselves the most and left us wanting to see
more.
Toa Yandall - Aurora High School
Yandall was one of the players who really helped himself at the Proving Grounds. He showed a strong ability to rebound the basketball and wasn't afraid to battle inside for position. He consistently competed for the ball and showed the physicality needed to make an impact on the glass.
Offensively, Yandall showed a nice touch from the mid-range. He was comfortable getting into that area of the floor and showed the ability to knock down shots when given the opportunity. His combination of rebounding and scoring ability made him a difficult matchup throughout the event.
Yandall's performance was good enough to earn him a spot in the All-Ozarks Game, which was a strong indication of how much he helped his stock during the event. Overall, he was one of the players who came away from the Proving Grounds with some momentum.
O'Sean Summers - Springfield Catholic High School
Summers was one of the more athletic guards at the Proving Grounds and showed the ability to make plays above the rim. He is an explosive athlete who can get downhill and put pressure on the defense, and when he gets a clear path to the basket, he has the ability to finish with authority.
What also stood out was his pull-up jump shot. Summers showed that he doesn't always have to get all the way to the rim to make an impact. He can stop and rise up for a jumper, which gives him another way to attack defenders who are trying to keep him out of the paint.
Overall, Summers is an athletic guard with the ability to finish above the rim and knock down pull-up jumpers. His combination of athleticism and scoring ability makes him a player who can put pressure on a defense in multiple ways.
Coleson Cupit - Clever High School
Cupit was a guard who stood out with the way he handled the basketball. He has a shifty style to his game and does a good job changing direction and pace to create opportunities. He can make defenders uncomfortable because he doesn't always attack in a straight line and has the ability to find different ways to get into the lane.
Once he gets around the defense, Cupit showed a lot of craftiness as a finisher. He has good touch around the basket and doesn't always need a lot of space to get a shot off. His ability to use different angles and finishes makes him extremely difficult to stay in front of.
Overall, Cupit is a crafty, shifty ball handler who showed the ability to create his own offense. His combination of handle, creativity and touch around the basket makes him an intriguing guard to keep an eye on.
Derrick Dailey - Hillcrest High School
Dailey was one of the most competitive players we saw at the Proving Grounds. He played with an extremely high motor and competed on every possession. There wasn't much of a question about how badly he wanted to win because he played with the type of intensity that immediately gets your attention.
Defensively, Dailey takes pride in that part of the game. He was willing to get after opposing ball handlers, compete for loose balls and do the little things that can change a possession. Offensively, he showed the ability to make plays and create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Overall, Dailey is an ultra-competitive playmaker who simply plays hard. His defensive pride and willingness to compete on every possession make him the type of player coaches can trust, and he was one of the players who consistently brought energy to the floor.
Prestin Kinyon - Chadwick High School
Kinyon was a player who seemed to have a knack for making plays when his team needed them. He competed hard around the basket and showed the ability to make winning plays that don't always show up in a box score.
One of the things that stood out was his work on the offensive glass. Kinyon did a good job pursuing missed shots and using his strength to create second-chance opportunities. Once he got the ball around the basket, he showed the ability to finish through contact and make the most of those opportunities.
Overall, Kinyon is a strong, physical player who impacts the game with his effort and toughness. His ability to rebound, finish and come through with important plays makes him the type of player who can help a team win in a variety of ways.
Conclusion
Stock risers are what showcase basketball is all about. It’s an opportunity to step outside of the normal game-day routine, compete against new players, and show what you can bring to the floor when the spotlight is on.
For these players, the next step is simple: keep working. A strong performance can open the door, but consistency is what keeps it open. We’ll be watching to see which of these names continues to climb as the season approaches.
The stock is rising. Now it’s time to keep proving it.
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