By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
On Wednesday Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard announced the signing of three high school standouts who will join the Ichabods starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
Signing with the 10th-ranked Ichabods, currently 3-0 on the season, were Shawnee Mission Northwest 6-foot-8 guard Tyler Salmon, Wichita Heights 6-8 forward Amalachi Wilkins and Washburn Rural 5-11 guard Kaden Ballard.
Signing capsules:
Tyler Salmon, Shawnee Mission Northwest
TYLER SALMON, Shawnee Mission Northwest -- As a junior Salmon averaged 9.0 points per game while helping Northwest to an undefeated Class 6A state championship. Salmon, who also plays tennis, is the son of Travis and Angie Salmon and has a sister, Sophia. His father played basketball and his mom played volleyball at Missouri-Kansas City. Salmon plans to major in business.
"Tyler has a chance to be one of the best shooters that I've ever coached,'' Ballard said. "He is 6-8 and has great footwork and is truly an elite shot maker with deep range. Tyler has gotten stronger over the past year and showed this summer during AAU basketball that he can get to the paint and make plays. He gives us another long wing that will be able to guard multiple spots on the perimeter. Tyler's high school team won the 6A state championship in Kansas last year, so he is another player that has been well coached and understands the sacrifice it takes to win at a high level."
Amalachi Wilkins, Wichita Heights
AMALACHI WILKINS, Wichita Heights -- As a junior Wilkins was a first-team All-City pick and second-team 6A All-State after averaging 9.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while helping the Falcons reach their third straight Class 6A state championship gam. Wilkins is the son of Jimmy and Nikki Wilkins has two sisters, Aliya and Amia, and a brother, A'Lygend. Wilkins plans to major in business law.
"Amalachi has a big-time motor, is ultra-competitive and impacts every game with his effort and toughness,'' Ballard said. "Our fans are going to love his energy and competitiveness. He is quick twitched, runs and jumps very well and he will positively impact games with his athleticism. Offensively he is great at attacking downhill and finishing through contact in the paint. Defensively he can guard multiple positions and will be a high-level rebounder and shot blocker. He plays for one of the best high school coaches and AAU programs in Kansas and has winning in his DNA."
Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural -- A second-team All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County selection as a junior, earning honorable mention All-6A All-State accolades after averaging 12.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game shooting 35 percent from 3-point range hitting 44 of 127 3-point attempts and 56 of 76 free throws for a 74 percent average. The son of Ichabod head coach Brett and Kelly Ballard. Has a brother Brooks and a sister, Breagan. Kaden's father played at Hutchinson Community College and Kansas and his mother ran cross country at Kansas. Will major in business.
"I'm obviously ecstatic to have the opportunity to be around and coach my own kid,'' Brett Ballard said. "He is a very hard worker, tough, competitive and coachable, so he has certainly earned and deserves this opportunity. He has great footwork and quick release and is a very good shooter. He is also a great on-ball and team defender. I'm very thankful for how well he has been coached at all levels and for the positive impact that has had on his basketball IQ. Kaden has been around our players and program, so he understands the standards and expectations that come with playing at Washburn."
