Ranking the Top 20 Mens College Basketball Players from Missouri

The Show Me State has shown it has a wealth of high school basketball talent, much of which is exceeding at the next level
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) is No. 4 on our list of the Top 20 Mens College Basketball Player from the State of Missouri.
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) is No. 4 on our list of the Top 20 Mens College Basketball Player from the State of Missouri. / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Missouri has a wealth of high school basketball talent and many of the state's top players have gone on to stardom at the next level. Who is the best?

We've offered our opinion with our Ranking the 20 Best Ative College Basketball Players from the state of Missouri. This list is formulated utilizing analytics, stats, and overall team impact. 

1. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Senior, Creighton 

High School: Trinity Catholic

Efficiency Score: 5.3

Stats: 17.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.5 BPG

Kalkbrenner has turned into an NBA prospect after five seasons at Creighton. The 7’1 center has remained an elite defender, become a great post scorer, and extended his range from three. Creighton has built their team around his strengths. Kalkbrenner was a Top 100 recruit coming out of Trinity High School which has since closed. 

2. Keshon Gilbert, Senior, Iowa State

High School: Vashon

Efficiency Score: 4.1

Stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG

Gilbert has improved each season in college. After spending two seasons at UNLV he has turned the corner helping turn Iowa State into one of the best teams in college basketball. The 6’4 senior is a fan favorite and brings energy on a nightly basis. He has turned into a potential all-american candidate. The Vashon product was a state champion and has always displayed winning characteristics. 

3. Bennett Stirtz, Junior, Drake

High School: Liberty

Efficiency Score: 5.8

Stats: 18.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.5 SPG

Stirtz makes a case for being the top ranked player on this list. His story is one filled with depth as an unheralded recruit out of Liberty High School in Kansas City. He showcased plenty of talent at the prep level and chose to play for Ben McCollum at Northwest Missouri State. Now, he’s leading Drake under the same coach and has become one of the best point guards in the country. 

4. Caleb Love, Senior, Arizona

High School: CBC

Efficiency Score: 3.6

Stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG

Love has been to the top of college basketball playing in a national championship, hitting one of the biggest shots in NCAA Tournament history, and now spending his final season at Arizona. The fifth year senior was a 5 star recruit and coveted prospect coming out of CBC High School in St. Louis. He has scored over 2300 points in his career.

5. Dajuan Harris, Senior, Kansas

High School: Rock Bridge

Efficiency Score: 3.2

Stats: 10.4 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG

Harris has become a Kansas legend winning a national championship and leading this team for over five seasons. His passing marks rank amongst the best in Jayhawk history. He graduated from Rock Bridge in 2019 where a host of top programs came into the picture late. As a senior he was signed to Missouri State before being released from his NLI. The rest is history. 

6. Tarris Reed, Junior, UCONN

High School: Link Academy & Chaminade

Efficiency Score: 3.5

Stats: 10.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.7 BPG

Reed made the move to UCONN following two productive seasons at Michigan. The 6’10 center has turned into one of the better post prospects in the Big East. As a prep prospect he spent three seasons at Chaminade before finishing his career at Link Academy. Reed plays a vital role for one of the best teams in the country. 

7. Jevon Porter, Junior, Loyola Marymount

High School: Father Tolton

Efficiency Score: 1.9

Stats: 14.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 BPG

Porter has stayed within the WCC Conference but moved from Pepperdine to Loyola Marymount. The 6’11 forward brings a tantalizing skill-set to the floor. He scores at all three levels and makes others around him better. At Father Tolton turned into a Top 100 recruit and finished his career with 29 points in the state championship game.

8. Dez White, Sophomore, Missouri State

High School: The Skill Factory & Helias

Efficiency Score: 3.9

Stats: 16.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.4 SPG

White has turned into one of the better scorers in the Missouri Valley Conference. The 6’2 guard has grown his game and turned into an outstanding three point shooter. As a prep prospect he spent three seasons breaking records at Helias High School in Jefferson City before finishing his career at the Skill Factory in Atlanta, GA.

9. Nick Kern, Senior, Penn State

High School: Vashon

Efficiency Score: 3.3

Stats: 12.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 APG

Kern could be considered the best role player on this list. During his time at VCU and now Penn State the 6’6 slasher has found ways to provide highlights and take on top defensive matchups. He’s one of the best athletes in the Big 10. At Vashon he formed an outstanding duo with Kehson Gilbert (2nd on this list) and won numerous state championships. 

10. Phill Russell, Senior, VCU

High School: Vashon

Efficiency Score: 3.4

Stats: 12.7 PPG, 2.3 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG

Russell is most known for his infectious personality and impact at the point guard spot. He has made stops at Saint Louis, SEMO, UT-Arlington, and now VCU. One thing remains a constant, he scores at a high clip. During his four year career at Vashon, Russell won numerous state championships and built a following on the Ballislife social platforms. 

11. Trevon Brazile, Senior, Arkansas

High School: Kickapoo

Efficiency Score: 1.8

Stats: 6.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 BPG

Brazile has one of the most unique stories on this list. He started his prep career at Parkview and was a role player early in his career. Fast forward to his junior season there was significant growth both in terms of height and skill-set. As a senior he transferred to Kickapoo and grew to 6’9 helping the Chiefs secure a state championship. Now, he’s a key player for John Calipari at Arkansas.

12. Kennard Davis Jr, Sophomore, SIU 

High School: Vashon

Efficiency Score: 1.9

Stats: 14.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.8 SPG

Davis is one of the most improved players in the Missouri Valley Conference. He’s a defensive standout and has turned into a primary playmaker. He has improved in every statistical category since his freshman season. One of multiple Vashon products on this list, he adds toughness that the Wolverines program embodies. 

13. Cameron Manyawu, Sophomore, Drake

High School: Staley

Efficiency Score: 2.0

Stats: 9.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG. 1.3 SPG

Manyawu is a story of someone who hasn’t stopped improving over the course of his career. At 6’8 he’s the prototypical forward. A two-way impact player who has helped lead Drake to a 12-2 record. In high school he helped guide Staley to their 2023 state championship. He’s one of the best sophomores in the Missouri Valley Conference.

14. All Wright, Freshman, Valpo

High School: Link Prep & Joplin

Efficiency Score: 2.3

Stats: 10.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 1.9 RPG

Wright has won numerous Missouri Valley freshman of the week awards in his first college season. The 6’3 guard is shooting efficiently from the field and brings a better than 3:1 A/TO ratio to the Valpo program. He’s the top freshman on this list. 

15. Garry Clark, Senior, Texas A&M Corpus Christi

High School: Cardinal Ritter

Efficiency Score: 3.5

Stats: 14.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.1 APG

Clark is a journeyman and someone who has had quite the story to this point. Now at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, he’s one of the best players in the Southland Conference. An athletic 6’8 forward who impacts the game in a number of ways. He graduated from Cardinal Ritter and played under Ryan Johnson. 

16. Jalen Hampton, Junior, Missouri State

High School: University City

Efficiency Score: 1.7

Stats: 8.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG

Hampton is one of the best pure rebounders in college basketball. This has been his calling card for three seasons. After an outstanding freshman season at Northwestern State he moved to South Plains before landing at Missouri State under Cuonzo Martin. The 6’7 junior brings a blue collar mentality to the floor. 

17. Andrew Young, Junior, Missouri S&T

High School: Marquette

Efficiency Score: NA

Stats: 14.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG

Young is the first Division 2 player mentioned on this list. The 6’9 forward has been the best player on a Missouri S&T team who currently ranks 17th in the country. He’s doing everything on the floor and has the potential to lead this team on a deep tournament run. Young spent four seasons at Marquette High School flying under the radar as a recruit. 

18. Kellen Thames, Junior, Saint Louis

High School: Pattonville

Efficiency Score: 1.6

Stats: 7.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG

Thames is starting to catch his stride as a junior under Josh Schertz. The 6’6 wing has brought a defense first mentality and expanded his offensive game. During his time at Pattonville it was Thames who was full of so much potential. He has started to showcase exactly why scouts were high on him as a Pirate under his father Kelly Thames.

19. Isaac Haney, Senior, Austin Peay

High School: Kickapoo

Efficiency Score: 1.1

Stats: 10.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG

Haney is in his senior season with Austin Peay. The 6’2 guard is the ultimate culture piece and has grown as a spot-up shooter. This is his third season in a row averaging over 10+ PPG. As a prep prospect he broke records at Dora before transferring to Kickapoo as a senior where he won a state championship. 

20t. Brayden Shorter, Sophomore, Washburn

High School: Kickapoo

Efficiency Score: NA

Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG

Shorter is someone who could very easily be higher on the list. He’s the leading scorer for Washburn who rank 2nd in the country and are 13-0 to this point in the season. A pure shooter who has made 49 threes in 13 games at a 43.4% clip. He had an outstanding prep career with Kickapoo winning a state championship in his sophomore season. 

20t. Matt Enright, Junior, UMSL

High School: Webster Groves

Efficiency Score: NA

Stats: 13.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG

Enright has been a model of consistency for UMSL. After making it to an Elite 8 in his freshman season the junior guard is leading UMSL in his third year. He’s one of the best shooters & playmakers in the GLVC Conference. During his time at Webster Groves it was Enright who played a perfect game vs. Cardinal Ritter and eventually won a state championship vs. Helias in his senior season. 


Who was close to making the list?

Brandon Mitchell-Day, Junior, Dartmouth

High School: MICDS

Efficiency Score: 1.7

Stats: 10.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.1 APG

Mitchell-Day is one of the best players in MICDS history. He was a dominant player at the prep level and has turned into one of the best forwards in the Ivy League. At 6’8 he changes games on the defensive end while rebounding at a high clip. He has improved all three seasons in college. 

Kyan Evans, Sophomore, Colorado State

High School: Staley

Efficiency Score: 1.3

Stats: 8.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.1 APG

Evans is quietly making a name for himself in the Mountain West as a sophomore. He has grown into a key player for the Rams while shooting 37% from long range. In high school he was a four year varsity player for Staley and helped guide them to a state championship while winning Missouri’s 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year.

Brian Taylor, Junior, SIUE

High School: De Smet

Efficiency Score: 1.4

Stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.6 APG

Taylor played his first season at Milwaukee before transferring to SIUE closer to home. The junior has turned into one of the best guards in the OVC as a result. His efficient play has led the Cougars to a 10-6 record early in the season. At De Smet he was a top prospect and played at a high level for multiple seasons. 

Jordan Nesbitt, Senior, Wyoming

High School: St. Louis Christian Academy

Efficiency Score: 0.1

Stats: 9.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.8 APG

Nesbitt has been on a journey since his time at the now closed St. Louis Christian Academy. He spent seasons at Memphis, Saint Louis, and Hampton, and now Wyoming. Nesbitt is one of the best rebounding guards in the nation and has been a complete player in his final stop. He was a unanimous Top 100 recruit in the 2021 class before classing up into 2020 and enrolling early.


Published |Modified
Sean West
SEAN WEST

Sean West is a multimedia specialist who has been covering sports in the St. Louis & Missouri region since 2018. His specialties are high school basketball and football, in addition to the recruiting landscape of the Midwest. He has a skilled background in videography, documenting compelling storylines surrounding these sports.