The Basketball Movement is highlighting several Yanders Law players that have stood out so far this season.

To this point, Yanders Law Basketball has had one of the most competitive AAU schedules in the Midwest. Composed entirely of in-state talent, YLB has competed with high-level Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor sponsored teams. However, as Robert Yanders puts it, his players “want all that smoke.”

“Playing these high-level teams, we win some and lose some,” Yanders says. “The thing is, we’re not looking for trophies. We are looking for scholarships. Going on to play in college leads to things that last forever. Trophies break.”

Almost all of Yanders’ 17U squad bost D1 offers already, but their stock continues to rise as they meet and compete with fierce competition. “We’ve beaten EYBL, UA, Adidas, and some of the best independent teams in the country,” Yanders says. “This spring, we played 40 guys from the ESPN Top 100 list. Our guys love it - we’re competitors.”

A few notable games this season include wins over George Hill All-Indy and Illinois Wolves. Yanders Law Blue Elite trumped All Ohio Red (EYBL), which boasts 12 AAU national championships. The squad played Mac Irvin Fire to a two-point game and Team Thad EYBL to a four-point game. Even from losses, the experience and exposure have resulted in continued buzz for these Yanders Law guys as they show what they can do.

Below, we highlight several standout players from Yanders Law. Get to know the guys repping your corner of the Midwest on the elite AAU scene:

Jonathan Dunn is a 6’7 forward boasting an offer from Mizzou. He has also heard from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State.

Always a threat to bully players inside, Dunn has recently seen his perimeter game takeoff as well. For his muscular frame, he has no issue keeping up with 2s and 3s on the perimeter, and he is evolving into a 3-and-D guy in addition to his rebounding and attacking style. One of the best rim-runners in the Midwest, he has developed the ability to put the ball on the deck and is an ever-evolving threat.

With a motor that just does not stop, Dunn has earned high praise from coach Robert Yanders. “J Dunn is a dawg,” Yanders says. “He has displayed so much growth on both ends of the floor.”

Dunn is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

Cam Liggins is a 6’4 combo guard with offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has also heard from Oral Roberts, Furman, and recently took a call from Oklahoma State.

Liggins has evolved from a good shooter to a great scorer, displaying the ability to make baskets at all levels. He has become an intimidating downhill attacker but must be chased off the perimeter as he poses a deep threat as well.

“Cam is definitely a mid-major-plus guy,” Rob Yanders says. “One of his best qualities is that he can rebound the hell out of the ball. Elite rebounder at his position.”

Liggins is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

Kanon Gipson is a 6’3 guard that has drawn interest from UC Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and UW Milwaukee.

Like another notable Santa Clara guard, Kanon Gipson is 6’3, crafty, and has a knack for winning. As steady as they come, Gipson has done a great job leading the club this spring and has drawn praise from coach Rob Yanders.

“Kanon has played against high-level guards all spring and has held his own on both ends of the floor,” Yanders says. “Three-star guys like Jaden Schutt and Sean Jones - Kanon defeated them. He isn’t flashy, but he consistently just gets the job done.”

Gipson is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

Logan Applegate is a 6’2 guard with offers from Texas State and SIUe and has drawn interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha.

With Gipson assuming point guard duties, Logan Applegate has slid into the role of scoring guard seamlessly and has done a great job working off the ball. Applegate is an elite passer, giving Yanders Law the luxury of having multiple playmakers on the floor at once.

He has a pretty jump shot, a big motor on defense, and impressive athleticism. His stock is rising quickly and will likely not stop anytime soon.

Applegate is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

Elijah Whitley is a 6’3 guard with an offer from SIUe. He has taken calls from Eastern Illinois and Nebraska Omaha.

An explosive guard, Whitley has been opening eyes this spring with his bounce and ability in the open floor. Coach Rob Yanders says he would like to see Whitley be more aggressive this July but applauded his ever-developing, well-rounded game.

“He is a jack-of-all-trades,” Yanders says of Whitley. “He is good on the break, plays above the rim, can defend, and score.” Whitley is benefiting from big-game exposure and is likely to be hearing from more programs soon.

Zach Howell is a 6’5 guard/forward with an offer from SIUe and has drawn interest from Harvard and Mizzou. He will soon take an unofficial visit to Colorado State as well.

A gym rat of The Basketball Movement for years, the results of Zach Howell’s hard work are striking. As Rob Yanders put it: “Zach is one of the best shooters in the country.”

Howell will be a senior next season at Springfield Catholic but is already able to hang with top talent from around the country. A sound defender, elite shooter, and ever-improving attacker, Howell is poised for an explosive finish to his prep career.

Tyler Harmon is a 6’2 guard with high D2 to low D1 prospects.

Harmon has taken significant steps forward in his time with the Yanders Law program and at The Basketball Movement. He creates a presence on the floor that allows him to play beyond his size and guard multiple positions.

“He is going to be our defensive stopper,” Yanders says of Harmon. “He is good at turning D into O. If he is clicking on defense, then he’s good to go at the other end. He is tough, hard-nosed, and gets it done. We are excited for July as his role continues to grow with the team.”