We Are United - Colin Hardrick

Phenom U Team Herro 6’4 combo guard Colin Hardrick is headed to We Are United prep.

Another nice get for We Are United prep, Colin Hardrick looks to be a big part of Rob Yanders’ new school next season. Hardrick is from the Milwaukee, WI area and was a big piece for Wauwatosa West High School and Phenom U Tyler Herro (AAU). But why head to Missouri?

”I like what they are doing down there,” Hardrick says. “I like Rob and he seems like a good fit for me. This will be a good next step.”

Hardrick says that his first impression of Yanders is that he is a great guy, but he has spoken to him a few times previously beforehand. “We’ve met a handful of times,” Hardrick says. “He has a good history with basketball. He played pro and he knows what he is doing and how to help me get where I want to go.

For Colin Hardrick, where he wants to go is to a Division I college program.

“I am doing whatever I can to prepare for D1,” Hardrick says. “I am getting stronger to prepare for the next level. I want to improve however I can - having a better basketball IQ and just a better feel for the game.”

Hardrick previously held offers from Green Bay and Grambling before deciding to reclassify and pursue the prep route. His time with Phenom U playing against elite talent (including Rob Yanders’ Yanders Law program) has helped to prepare him for this next level.

“I was playing with good players all around me on the best circuit in the country,” Hardrick says. “I’ve played the best of the best. It has definitely helped me get better.”

The young hooper outlined what not only We Are United can expect from him but also college coaches down the line:

“I am a hard worker,” Hardrick says. “I’m coachable; I listen. I enjoy the game and come ready to work every day.”

We are excited to see Colin Hardrick don the white and black for We Are United and already chomping at the bit to see the squad Yanders assembles for his prep school’s second season. For more, keep it locked right here on thebasketballmovement.com.

Remembering Jeremiah Dotson

The Basketball Movement family mourns the loss of We Are United prep’s, Jeremiah Dotson.

There are truly no words to express the tragedy of a young life lost. However, the post below by We Are United’s official account does as good a job as is possible.

The Basketball Movement echoes those sentiments and asks everyone to be patient with We Are United, Yanders Law, and The Basketball Movement family going forward as we work through these difficult times. Please respect Jeremiah’s family’s privacy also. They are all in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope in yours as well.

Rest in peace, Jeremiah.

We Are United - North American Cup Champions

Last weekend, We Are United prep won the North American Cup tournament in Indianapolis.

In the program’s first season, We Are United prep managed to win a tournament comprised of many of the top teams in the nation. The North American Cup tournament was held in Indianapolis, Indiana is a big annual event for high-level post-grad programs.

“There were legitimately some of the better teams in the country here,” Head Coach Rob Yanders says. “We went 3 and 0 and won it all anyway.”

John Lovelace showed out over the weekend, as did Sincere Malone, Logan Applegate, and more. Jonathan Dunn reminded everyone he is a walking double-double.

“The whole team played well and were connected,” Yanders says. “You hope for those moments where it all comes together, and this tournament was one of them. We are all excited; this is great for our young program.”

You do not have to wait to see We Are United prep back in action. They host Link Year prep tonight (Wednesday, 3/2) right here at The Basketball Movement at 8:00 PM. So come out and see why you should be hyped about what Rob Yanders and his crew are doing with the hoop scene in SW MO. We will see you there!

Introducing The Basketball Movement Exclusive

Robert Yanders is proud to announce the launch of The Basketball Movement Exclusive

The Basketball Movement Exclusive is your portal to the very best content Southwest Missouri has to offer in prep hoops. Boys and girls basketball is flourishing at the high school level in this area. The Basketball Movement is narrowing its scope and making sure you local hoop-heads do not miss a thing.

As a member of The Basketball Movement Exclusive, you would be granted access to articles, photos, and videos that highlight the very best area high school hoops have to offer. Articles will feature area tournaments, standout players, notable performances, and more. Rob Yanders’ local player rankings are live on The Basketball Movement Exclusive as well.

Photos and videos will be flooding these pages. For previews, check out all the latest highlights on The Basketball Movement’s Instagram. If you like what you see there - buckle up. All content on our social media is just a teaser for what is included with The Basketball Movement Exclusive.

This is a player-focused experience that highlights the best of the Midwest. Give it a shot and come see why you need to be a part of the newest hoops movement!

Yanders Law commitments

Since late December, Yanders Law has had a trio of college commitments, keeping top talent local.

Producing a pair of Drury Panthers and an Evangel Valor, Yanders Law is continuing to sharpen local stars. Logan Applegate and Elijah Whitley will play for Drury this fall, and Lyla Watson will suit up for Evangel.

Watson has been with Yanders Law for years and is a much different player now than when she started. She has always been a potent shooter, but she has grown as an all-around scorer and distributor even just over the last few years. However, her defense undoubtedly pushed her over the top into the collegiate talent she is now. Lyla can guard virtually any position and anchored some great defensive squads during her time with the Yanders Law program.

Elijah Whitley committed to Drury right before Christmas and then proceeded to give Panther fans plenty to look forward to with Parkview’s holiday games. For Yanders Law, Elijah has always been a great competitor, and it was a blast to see his athleticism catch defenders off-guard, resulting in many above-the-rim highlights for the standout guard.

Logan Applegate recently announced that he would be playing for the Drury Panthers as well. Applegate not only was a standout with Yanders Law but has been continuing to elevate his play with We Are United - Rob Yanders’ prep school. Logan has a knack for remaining completely cool while utterly dismantling a defense with his three-point shooting, athleticism, and elite court vision. He turns heads wherever he goes. Fans are in for a treat, and opponents are in for a nasty surprise.

Whitley and Applegate are not the only Yanders Law teammates playing college hoops in Missouri, with Isaac Haney and Elijah Bridgers at Missouri State and Anton Brookshire and Trevon Brazile holding it down up north at Mizzou.

Robert Yanders and all of the other coaches of Yanders Law are immensely proud of these individuals. Each year, the talent level of the Yanders Law program seems to climb higher and higher, so stay tuned as more big news always seems to be just around the corner. #LawNation

Keeping up with We Are United

As Rob Yanders prep school, We Are United continues its inaugural campaign, make sure that you do not miss anything.

The Basketball Movement is the home of We Are United prep, a school formed by Robert Yanders that is elevating the local hoops scene like never before. Behind the scenes, Yanders is working tirelessly to ensure his student-athletes receive the education they need and the care they deserve. When the lights come on and the opening tip is underway, that is when you the fan can see the product.

Where is the best place to see these things? For starters: The Basketball Movement. Contact us if you want to catch these up-and-comers in action, and we will let you know the best time to do so!

You can also check out weareunitedbasketball.com for the program’s tentative schedule as well as player bios, coach bios, and more.

The easiest way to keep up with the action is across social media. The Basketball Movement posts some We Are United content, but the school has its own pages as well. Check out the Instagram here.

We Are United is also on Twitter! Check out the Twitter page here and give Head Coach Rob Yanders a follow while you are there, as he posts We Are United content as well.

Keep up with the movement - you will not be disappointed! For coverage on other prep starts from around the area, stay tuned. The Basketball Movement has a big announcement coming soon about exclusive coverage of high school basketball in Southwest Missouri, and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Follow the movement!

We Are United vs. Sunrise Christian

Tonight is an away game for We Are United, but the squad still gets to play right down the road!

We Are United gets an opportunity to continue its stellar season tonight, facing Sunrise Christian Academy. The game will be held at Baptist Bible College right here in Springfield, Missouri.

Tipoff tonight (1/6) is at 8:15 PM CST.

“We are excited to be back at it,” says Head Coach Rob Yanders. “Everyone had a good Christmas break, and we are ready to continue building upon our hard work from last year.”

The student-athletes of We Are United prep are fired up to hit the books in addition to getting back on the court. Yanders is expecting big things from these young men after seeing what they can do so far. Hard practices, tough opponents, and high expectations have guided the team so far.

Tonight will be another excellent test.

Sunrise Christian is a Nike Elite team out of Bel Aire, Kansas. They are a storied program that plays some of the top prep talent year in and year out. Just this year, they boast wins over Oak Hill, La Lumiere, IMG Academy, and more.

Coach Yanders says that playing Sunrise Christian will be yet another great challenge for his squad.

Come out and support one of the biggest movements in local hoops! We would love to see some of our allies from around Southwest MO in the stands. See you there!

Zero Gravity - We Are United

We Are United prep is hitting the road again, this time New England-bound to face more stiff competition at the Zero Gravity prep classic.

No, Zero Gravity is not a nickname for the high-flying Jonathan Dunn (though we suppose it could be). The ZG Prep Classic is a large-scale annual prep hoops event outside of Boston that will give We Are United and its athletes yet another chance to shine.

A description of the event below was pulled from basketball.exposure.com:

“The ZG Prep Classic returns for the 2021-22 season. We are thrilled to have the event at the premier basketball facility in the Northeast, the beautiful Dana Barros Basketball Club. With over 60 top prep programs committed throughout North America, this year's Prep Classic is slated to be the biggest event in the country. Perennial NEPSAC powerhouses headline the event that will have college prospects that fit every program in America. A must-attend for everyone from High Majors to High Academic D3s. Schedule coming soon, stay tuned on @ZeroGravityBB on Twitter & Instagram to see program commitments and schedule announcements.”

Per the official schedule, We Are United is set to play on days 2 and 3 of the event:

Saturday, December 4th - 12:00 PM (EST) on court five vs. Speights Academy (FL)

Sunday, December 5th - 9:00 AM (EST) on court one vs. Canamera Prep (CAN)

Head Coach Rob Yanders says that his squad is excited to take to the road again. “There will be great prep schools there,” Yanders says. “We currently have a 3-1 in-season record, and we are ready to put that on the line. There is no team we are scared of.”

Coming off of an impressive showing in Atlanta facing professional Overtime Elite squads, Yanders confidence seems well warranted. Follow along with We Are United on Instagram and stay tuned right here at The Basketball Movement, home of We Are United prep.

We Are United vs. Overtime Elite

We Are United prep is in Atlanta, Georgia, to face fierce competition and achieve maximum exposure this weekend.

We Are United is coming on strong in the prep hoops scene and is traveling this weekend to face another young program already producing elite talent.

Overtime Elite was started several years ago from a collaboration between great basketball minds. The board includes names like Carmelo Anthony and Jay Williams, and the coaching staff has multiple former NBA players as well. OTE is described on their website by the below:

“OTE (Overtime Elite) is a transformative new sports league that offers the world’s most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes and engage and inspire a new generation of fans.”

The brand “Overtime” has been around for a while, covering upcoming stars across the country. Now, they are using their resources to give those players a new avenue along their basketball journeys.

OTE has three teams: Team Overtime, Team OTE, and Team Elite. Tonight (Friday, November 19), We Are United faces off against Team Elite at 6:30 PM Eastern. Tomorrow, they face Team Overtime at 4:30 PM Eastern.

With an already impressive platform, OTE draws national attention, meaning that big college programs and even pro scouts keep a close eye on these games. We are excited for our guys to compete and show what they can do.

For more on OTE, check out some interesting facts here.

Want more We Are United? Follow along on Instagram and Twitter and keep up with the movement!

Spotlight: Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach

From the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions to playing meaningful minutes for an undefeated Duke squad, Keels and Roach are on the come-up.

Once a year, Southwest Missouri hosts the most heavily-attended high school basketball tournament in the country. The Bass Pro Tournament of Champions hosts some of the top squads from around the nation as well as local standouts. The Basketball Movement is always honored to cover the event, which also means getting to watch and assess the bright young stars.

A few standouts from Paul VI (Va.), Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach have been able to translate their time in high school to playing big-time minutes for one of the most prominent D1 programs in the nation.

At Duke, Roach (6’2 sophomore guard) and Keels (6’5 freshman guard) are getting to experience legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski in what he has announced to be his final season. The young players are undoubtedly winning the coach’s favor, with strong play through Duke’s first four games.

Keels has games of 10, 18, and most impressively, 25 points against rival Kentucky. Roach now plenty removed from an ACL injury, has games with 10, 14, and 14 while chipping in with assists and excellent rebounding for his size.

Duke is a perennial contender and is looking to have a bounce-back season after uncharacteristically missing the Big Dance last season.

Jeremy Roach and Trevor Keels are looking like big pieces of the puzzle for Duke, and we are excited to see what these young men can do.

For more spotlights, NCAA news, and more, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

Avery Arnold college commitment

Avery Arnold of Yanders Law and Blue Eye high school has committed to Lyon College.

A staple of NAIA women’s hoops, Lyon College has landed a tremendous basketball player in Avery Arnold. As she wraps up her time at Blue Eye high school, Arnold has decided to lock in her future as a college hooper in a town only three or so hours away.

Arnold is a Yanders Law alumni who left her mark as a capable scorer and facilitator, but mainly as a lockdown defender. Avery says she knows she can make an impact right away at that end of the floor.

“I will always be the hardest worker,” Arnold says. “Not only on offense, but on defense as well - that is where I excel the most. That winds up playing into my offense too.”

The coaches at Lyon College mentioned that they would like to see her spending time running point. “Point guard would be a new role for me, so that would be different,” Arnold says. “I’ve never been a point guard, but that challenge is what I am looking forward to the most.”

Asked about her decision to commit, Avery points out the excellent tradition, especially over the last ten years or so. She said she liked the coaches and the atmosphere.

College hoops are plenty different from high school, but Avery said her time at The Basketball Movement and playing for Yanders Law should make a big difference. “Rob has helped me a lot, and Craig,” Arnold says. “They would do anything for me despite my busy schedule. They have given me a lot to help me succeed.”

Avery would like to extend a thank you to the whole program. “Rob is so busy, but he took a whole season to coach us,” Arnold says. “Craig too; they traveled with us and took their families… They have devoted their lives to basketball, and I want to thank them for everything.”

Wherever Avery was going to wind up, she was going to have numerous fans at The Basketball Movement. Not to mention a whole Yanders Law family that has her back. She does not need luck, but we wish it anyway as she begins her exciting next chapter!

Elite Guard Camp recap

The first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp has concluded following a successful weekend.

The Basketball Movement is proud to have hosted the first Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this past weekend, which included 106 young men from 6th-12th grade.

“It was a great camp,” Rob Yanders says. “I believe this was an excellent way to fine-tune the needed skills for elite guards, which was exactly what we set out to do.”

Fundamental basketball was at the camp’s core, a staple for this kind of event put on by Yanders. Constant work and the fine-tuning of fundamentals are vital in any sport, let alone the tools necessary to become an “elite” guard.

“Everything we do, every station we have at a camp like this is bringing out skills that will apply to in-game situations,” Yanders says. “From there, we wanted to see those skills transfer into those situations through 1vq, 2v2, and 3v3 play. It got competitive. All the players we had wanted to learn and get better.”

After the camp’s success, Yanders mentioned that there could be a girl’s elite guard camp if he determined there would be enough interest. Until then, he did say a shooting camp in the pipeline in just a few short months, so follow us to keep an eye out for any announcements.

“We were very pleased to get all these guys in here ahead of school ball to sharpen their skills,” Yanders says. “I want to thank everyone that came out and especially the trainers and coaching staff that did a fantastic job as always.”

Check out clips and images on The Basketball Movement’s Instagram page, and keep checking back here for everything basketball.

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this weekend!

The Basketball Movement is gearing up to host the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp.

For the first time, Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement are putting on a guard-specific camp to hone the skills needed to play the position at an elite level. The action starts tomorrow!

The camp was created with the intention of enhancing existing skills - this is for serious players only. This is specifically for guards that wish to achieve an elite level of play.

Slated for September 4th and 5th, the camp will be for boys from 6th grade to 12th. Activities will be broken up into 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade groups. Below is the anticipated schedule:

Saturday, September 4th

6th-8th Grade: 12:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-6:00pm

Sunday, September 5th

6th-8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-5:00pm

Rob Yanders is regarded by many as the top basketball trainer in this part of the country. Additionally, there are few more qualified to provide insight into the guard position.

As a point guard himself, Yanders was successful at the highest levels - three-time state champion, HS All-American, nationally ranked HS team, junior college All-American, Division 1 Missouri Valley All-Conference player, Team USA member, four-time European champion, and British national team member.

Above all, Yanders is a servant of others. We are looking forward to helping some young men get better this weekend. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement here and on Twitter and Instagram as we roll out media from the camp. See you tomorrow!

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp

The Basketball Movement is excited to announce the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp for 6th-12th grade boys.

For the first time, Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement are putting on a guard-specific camp to hone the skills needed to play the position at an elite level.

The camp was created with the intention of enhancing existing skills - this is for serious players only. This is specifically for guards that wish to achieve an elite level of play. The cost to participate will be $100 for the entire weekend. Campers will all get T-shirts.

Slated for September 4th and 5th, the camp will be for boys from 6th grade to 12th. Activities will be broken up into 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade groups. Below is the anticipated schedule:

Saturday, September 4th

6th-8th Grade: 12:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-6:00pm

Sunday, September 5th

6th-8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-5:00pm

Rob Yanders is regarded by many as the top basketball trainer in this part of the country. Additionally, there are few more qualified to provide insight into the guard position.

As a point guard himself, Yanders was successful at the highest levels - three-time state champion, HS All-American, nationally ranked HS team, junior college All-American, Division 1 Missouri Valley All-Conference player, Team USA member, four-time European champion, and British national team member.

Above all, Yanders is a servant of others. We are looking forward to helping some young men get better this September. There will be more details coming in the meantime, so stay tuned!

Yanders Law at UAA Finals

Yanders Law (boys 17u) wrapped up their UA Rise Circuit and UAA Championship bracket tour with several impressive wins.

Going 3-2 in the UAA Championship bracket, Yanders Law Basketball has proven that it belongs among the elite. At the UAA Finals, the 17u Yanders Law squad toppled WE R1 before suffering a pair of unfortunate losses to D Premier and Nebraska Supreme. However, the team got to finish with a couple of wins over Atlanta Xpress and Houston Superstars.

To make it to the UAA Finals, Yanders Law had to rise above the competition and earn the right, besting big-market teams in UA Rise. After successful stints in Atlanta and Dallas, the team was ready to face the tough competition that awaited in Indianapolis.

In many ways, things went as planned. Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) has officially broken out as an alpha dog on offense and has expanded his repertoire in ways even he may not have believed possible only a few years prior. In addition, Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) and Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F) have been proven monsters on the boards and got the opportunity to showcase their all-around game.

Cam Liggins (6’4 G) showed he is the capable offensive weapon he always has been but has also broken out as a defensive stud. Logan Applegate (6’2 G) and Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) were steady as ever with their playmaking while keeping defenses honest with their shooting strokes. Elijah Whitley (6’3 G) punished opposing guards with his athleticism, Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 G) showed he could do a lot more than shoot, and Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) proved to everyone that he belongs with his defense and range.

You cannot win every game, but the showing in the Under Armor Circuit this summer by Yanders Law can only be considered a victory. This has been a building block for the program, which continues to grow and impress with each passing year.

Yanders Law alumni are flourishing, the up-and-comers are gaining more exposure than ever, and the future remains blindingly bright.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement and Yanders Law going forward. These players were able to play in front of nearly one hundred collegiate programs over the past few weeks, and we anticipate a few phone calls in these young men’s futures.

Yanders Law - UAA Championship Bracket

Yanders Law boys 17u is headed to the Under Armor Association Championship Bracket this weekend.

A small program from a largely rural area, Yanders Law has been turning heads on the Under Armor circuit. Starting in UA Rise, the boys 17u team rose to the top and gets to play in the UAA. This may be a big first for the Yanders Law program, but it has not happened by accident. Not by luck, but by trickle-down tenacity, grit, and a pure hooper mentality that runs deep.

“I love that we are one of the first teams from a smaller area to be in the UAA Finals,” Coach Rob Yanders says. “It is just a huge privilege to be here, and I want to thank UAA and UA Rise for having us.”

Through the first couple of weekends alone, the young men of Yanders Law have played in front of 60-plus universities. ACC, SEC, Big 12, Missouri Valley, OVC… the list goes on. These are opportunities that would previously not have been possible for players from our area, and we are thrilled to be a part of the movement.

Yanders believes that their demanding early schedule back in April has played a big part in preparing them for the current level of competition. Yanders Law faced EYBL, Nike, and Adidas teams and beat many of them. These challenges have prepared them for the elite, which they will certainly see at the Pacers Athletic Center in Indianapolis this weekend.

The results of the high levels of exposure and competition have been immediately apparent for the players. The college offers and correspondence are mounting in a hurry.

Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) recently accepted his offer from Missouri State after holding multiple D1 offers. Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F) picked up a nice new offer of his own from Western Illinois. More to come as Malone’s defense and rebounding proficiency will be on full display in Indy.

Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) already holds an offer from UW Milwaukee and has now heard from Eastern Illinois in addition to Santa Clara and UC Santa Barbara. Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 G) has now heard from Jacksonville State in his short time with Yanders Law. We are excited for Williams Jr. to gain continued exposure with our program.

Logan Applegate (6’2 G) holds offers from Texas State and SIUe and has had interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha. The more coaches see App’s basketball IQ in person, the longer that list grows. This could be a big weekend for Elijah Whitley (6’3 G) and Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) as well, as more eyes will be on the squad.

A pair of guys with a list of suitors growing every day is Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) and Cameron Liggins (6’4 G).

Howell has been an aggressive scorer, and his shooting prowess has drawn plenty of attention. He currently holds offers from Texas Tech and SIUe. Texas Tech has been watching him each day of the circuit. In addition, Howell has now drawn interest from Ohio University, Eastern Illinois, Navy, Air Force, Colorado State, Harvard, Wisconsin, Omaha Nebraska, Mizzou, and IUPUI. Hype train.

Cam Liggins holds offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has now also heard from Tulsa, Montana State, SIUe, South Dakota State, Cal State Bakersfield, Oral Roberts, Furman, and Oklahoma State. Liggins has been one of the most dangerous two-way players on the circuit.

“This has become a great team that plays together,” Yanders says. “It starts on defense with Cam Liggins. Then, together, we attack.”

Yanders says that he believes his squad is the hardest working team in the Under Armor Association. “This weekend - the Championship bracket is for the elite,” Yanders says. “These guys have earned the right to be a part of that. I am proud of them. This is their time now. They have earned it, and I’m going to set them loose.”

ua finals.jpg

Yanders Law UAA Rise wrap-up

Yanders Law (17u) completed a successful UAA Rise Circuit this weekend, with many We Are United and The Basketball Movement players raising their stock.

Cartersville, GA — at the Lake Point Champions Center right outside of Atlanta, the young men of Yanders Law wipe away the sweat and stow away their shoes after the final action of the weekend concludes. Their minds are on the last game - one they believe they should have won - but at their core, they know what a success this UAA Rise Circuit has been.

Finishing 5-2 on the weekend against some elite talent, the wins were impressive, and the losses were close. By the end, Coach Rob Yanders is thrilled to give the young men such an opportunity.

“These guys did a great job competing,” Yanders says. “There were hundreds of coaches here - Mizzou, Arizona, K-State, Texas, Texas Tech, Marquette… our guys were out there drawing attention from major programs. This is so different than sending in videos. Our guys are legitimate prospects, so to be here in the flesh playing at a high level, they are really going to take off. This is only the beginning.”

The Basketball Movement already gave you the breakdown of the first two days of action. The following two on Saturday and Sunday provided plenty more fire.

Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) continued to show why he has high D1 potential. Against Atlanta Express, he hit five threes. Against Philly Pride, he had 26 and 8. Then, against TRD Basketball, he hit another five treys to finish his final game with 22 and 6. Howell is the real deal.

Cam Liggins (6’4 G) hit three triples en route to 16 points against TRD Basketball on Saturday, but it is his renewed focus on defense that likely turned the heads of coaches this weekend. He has been a scorer all season but is now looking like a complete package.

Yanders Law’s biggest breakout player has been newcomer Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F). Like Liggins, Malone is committed to We Are United prep this fall and looks like the perfect candidate to benefit from some additional exposure. Malone is a double-double threat every time he takes the court. He had 11/12 against Atlanta Express and a whopping 17 boards against TRD Basketball to go with four points, four assists, and four steals, which he also has a knack for.

Over the last few days of the circuit, Kanon Gipson (6’3 PG) flashed his ability to crash the boards at the point guard position but also stayed true to his role with ten assists against Atlanta Express and eight more the next day against TRD Basketball.

Logan Applegate (6’2 G) continued his strong play Saturday and Sunday, looking like an elite distributor both on the break and in halfcourt sets. He also tallied four steals against TRD Basketball and will make it very difficult for a college coach to keep him off the floor with his versatile guard play.

Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) is a great defender and glue guy but proved that he could not be left alone on the perimeter either. He went 5 of 8 from deep over the circuit’s final two days and stepped up whenever it was required, as always.

This Yanders Law squad feels like it has multiple players that could hold the “X-factor” title. Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) used to hold that position, but now, teams know he is coming. JD drew plenty of attention this weekend but continued to be a handful in the paint. He brought the defense in the Circuit’s final games, flying around blocking shots and grabbing steals.

All weekend, we saw flashes of great play from Corey Williams (6’2 G) and Elijah Whitley (6’3 G). Williams is new to the squad and brought terrific toughness on defense. Coach Yanders is looking forward to seeing more of his silky smooth jumper next weekend in Dallas. Whitley can shoot it too and has above-the-rim ability for his size that screams potential.

Highlights for each player can be found on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Follow the movement!

“This is going to be a great July,” Yanders says. “We are so excited about how far the program has come.” Yanders Law 17u will be on the road again next weekend in Dallas, TX. We are expecting even more big things, so stay tuned!

Yanders Law 17u - UAA Rise

Yanders Law (17u) is having another strong showing, this time at the UAA Rise Circuit in Atlanta, Georgia.

Off to a 3-1 start in Atlanta, Yanders Law came in hot to the UA Rise Circuit this Thursday and Friday. Of course, the action is far from over, but this has already been a successful weekend for many rising stars of The Basketball Movement.

Already sporting numerous D1 offers and several having committed to Robert Yanders’ We Are United prep this fall, the future is getting brighter all the time for these young men. Coaches from some of the biggest basketball programs in the nation are in attendance this weekend, and Yanders Law is doing its part in giving them a show.

Thursday:

Yanders Law 98 - IBA Illinois Stars 69

Yanders Law 67 - Kingdom Hoops 59

Friday:

Yanders Law 78 - Illinois HoopStars 79

Yanders Law 73 - ESF Threat 41

Kanon Gipson (6’3 guard) has paced Yanders Law in assists in each game so far and has emerged as a pure point guard after having the looks of a shooting specialist previously. Gipson holds an offer from UW Milwaukee. He has also received interest from UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara.

Unconscious from the field in Yanders Law’s first game against IBA Illinois Stars, Cameron Liggins (6’4 combo guard) dropped 29 and has continued his strong play. An elite rebounder for a guard, Liggins currently holds offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has also heard from Oral Roberts, Furman, and Oklahoma State. More to come soon for Liggins.

The most consistent Yanders Law player of the early going, Jonathan Dunn (6’7 forward), has been on a tear to the surprise of no one. Dunn’s versatility has been on full display with games of 19/12, 12/7, and 10/6 with a pair of swats. The high-energy forward holds offers from Mizzou and Texas Tech. He has also heard from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State.

Logan Applegate (6’2 guard) drilled four triples against ESF threat and has had solid showings on both sides of the floor, including a 14 point, 10 dime performance in a tough loss to Illinois HoopStars. Applegate holds offers from Texas State and SIUe and has drawn interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha. Elijah Whitley (6’3 guard) is another player to watch after stuffing the stat sheet against IBA Illinois Stars (8/4/5 with three big blocks).

Zach Howell (6’5 guard/forward) has been aggressive, dropping 27 on Illinois HoopStars, but also on the boards, showing that he can be a fantastic contributor even in the rare games where the threes are not falling. Howell recently received an offer from Texas Tech. He also has an offer from SIUe and has drawn interest from Harvard and Mizzou. Another all-around contributor, Tyler Harmon (6’2 guard), has been bringing his usual intangibles, remaining solid from deep and the pest on defense that every good team needs.

Two newcomers to Yanders Law, Sincere Malone (6’8 guard/forward) and Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 wing), are both We Are United commits that have quickly acclimated to the team. Williams Jr. has a great-looking stroke from outside. Sincere Malone has contributed on the boards immediately, with games of 9/9 and 11/10. He has had at least one steal in each contest, including 5(!) against ESF Threat.

Coach Rob Yanders says that they are good to go when the team moves the ball, defends, and rebounds. “When we are tougher than other teams, we win,” Yanders says. “In losses, if we aren’t the tougher team, we lose. We will be undefeated with toughness, and that’s what we are trying to emphasize to these guys.”

There has been no shortage of toughness the first few days of the Rise Circuit. We will be updating you here on the final days to see if the streak holds strong.

2021 Yanders Law standouts (17u)

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

6’7 Forward

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.

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Cameron Liggins

6’4 Combo Guard

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.

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Kanon Gipson

6’3 Guard

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.

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Logan Applegate

6’2 Guard

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.

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Elijah Whitley

6’3 Guard

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.

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Zach Howell

6’5 Guard/Forward

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.

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Tyler Harmon

6’2 Guard

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.”

Tracking interest, offers, and commitments

In what has likely been the strangest recruiting and scouting year ever, The Basketball Movement is keeping you up-to-speed on our athletes.

Different athletes naturally have different goals, all of which are respected at The Basketball Movement. Some young players just want to get a feel for the game, some may want to crack the varsity squad, and others may have dreams of going pro. While we work with players from every stage of the game, we have recently been fortunate to be a part of a large wave of high school players committing to play NCAA basketball.

Every player is responsible for their own destiny, so work with The Basketball Movement will only take individuals as far as they will let it. We are confident in saying that we know what it takes to help any player reach their next level if they let us.

Recently, many athletes that work with The Basketball Movement (most of which also participate in Yanders Law AAU basketball) have received offers to play Division 1 hoops. Some have already accepted those offers, and others are still deciding as they continue to elevate their level of play.

We track offers and commitments of our players on our social media platforms, so make sure that you are following The Basketball Movement.

Despite a challenging year for scouting and recruitment, this has been the strongest crop of young local talent in recent memory. Some players are choosing to reclassify and wait for more exposure as they continue to develop. Many of those players have committed to attending the new prep school, We Are United, this fall (more on that later).

For any parents or players - let us know if we are missing anything also. If you frequent The Basketball Movement or are part of #LawNation, DM us or shoot an email to basketballmovement@yahoo.com to tell us about any recruiting news you think we should know about.

In addition to news about recruitment, The Basketball Movement has been pumping out player highlights, news, and more on our social media sites. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as we monitor all of the movement!