Prep National Invitational draws talented players, top NCAA coaches

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PHOTOS BY JOHN SLEEZER | THE KANSAS CITY STAR

The KC Heat’s Deiondre Hall (right) chases after a loose ball with the Schoolers’ Scott Mulder in a Tuesday game at the KC Prep National Invitational at Mid-America West Sports Complex in Shawnee.

Above, the Eagles’ Phil Kunz (left) stops the Keys’ Widgett Washington. Below, the Heat’s Brian Fosselman drives past the Schoolers’ Luke Carr.

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While resting on the trainer’s table on Wednesday night before his AAU team’s contest in the 8th annual KC Prep National Invitational, Bishop Miege rising senior Trevor Releford attracted an audience.

Because NCAA basketball coaches and scouts are limited in their contacts with prep recruits, they could only send their love and interest through long stares. So a recruiter donning a burnt orange Texas polo made his intentions obvious by watching Releford intently — and Releford was simply getting his ankle wrapped.

“I just want to win the tournament,” Releford said, when asked about the eagle-eyed scouts. “All the other stuff will come with it.”

Even more eyes focused on Releford, as well as Pump N Run and Bishop Miege teammate Justin McCay, when they took to the court against the Tennessee Travelers. Watching the sectioned-off bleachers was nearly as entertaining as watching the game. A Who’s Who list of NCAA Division-I coaches filled the seats: Oklahoma’s Jeff Caple and Kansas coach Bill Self sat on opposite sides of the bleachers as Billy Donovan from Florida squatted in front of Self.

The local tournament teams — including the KC Cowboys and the Wedman Pumas — were all treated to playing in front of elite audiences, but Releford’s squad appeared to draw the biggest crowd of the early evening.

McCay expects to sign a college football scholarship after his fall season, and has spent the majority of his summer touring football camps. Releford, who played football last year but hasn’t made up his mind whether to play this fall, certainly has Division I basketball prospects. But doesn’t seem to be in a rush to decide his fate.

“I haven’t made a list yet,” Releford said. “So it’s wide open.”

The Invitational championship games were played Friday, results were unavailable by press time.

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