The class of 2025 in Wisconsin is shaping up to be a deep group and already has a handful of players that project to the high major level. Earlier this week we introduced Clevon Easton Jr of Madison East and next up is 6’10 F/C Kai Rogers of Wauwatosa West, who is right there in the discussion for top prospect in the class.
Rogers immediately stands out with his size at his age, but also has a foundational skillset that will have college coaches watching closely over the next couple of years. Rogers has soft hands, can make tough catches in traffic and grabs rebounds out of his area. He runs the floor well at his size, has shown impressive feel passing out of double teams in the post, and can also operate out of the mid to high post area in high low actions. Defensively, Rogers has shown great instincts as a shot blocker and does a good job staying down on shot fakes and using his size to effects shots around the rim.
For a freshman Center, Rogers has intriguing potential as a shooter. He has shown nice touch at the FT line this season and has flashed range out to the 3-point line (6/13 3FGA on the year). However, at this stage Rogers’ bread and butter has been finishing at the rim and he has been dominant at times in the paint. Although not an explosive athlete, Rogers has solid footwork and no wasted motion around the basket, finishing drop off passes with powerful dunks and is able play through contact.
Rogers needs to continue to work on getting his body into elite shape, and improve his lateral quickness guarding ball screens, but prospects with his combination of size and skill don’t come around every year. Rogers has the potential to be a top 50 recruit nationally and his best basketball is still in front of him.
The young big man is averaging 11.4 points 5.6 rebounds and 2 blocks this season for Wauwatosa West HS and has already taken unofficial visits to Iowa and Notre Dame.