As each team is eliminated from the Summit League Tournament, want to have a series of what does it look like going forward for that team.
I guess we have to start with the team that will likely have a complete makeover going into next season. Let’s start with the things we know. We know this much. Marvin Menzies just coached his last game in Kansas City. It was announced earlier this season that Menzies would be stepping down. In fact, his replacement has been announced. Kansas City has hired Mark Turgeon to replace Menzies next season. Turgeon has many offers out to recruits for next year. Definitely one of the more unique situations I have ever seen in the Summit League.
I am going to break each of these down into 3 parts. What needs to be different next year. What to build on and 3 players to prioritize for next year.
What to build on
The honest answer for this season is probably nothing. I am not sure any of the current roster returns. The vast majority of players were in their first year with the program and most had come from the JUCO ranks so I would assume the portal will be littered with Kansas City players. Even Jayson Petty and Karmello Branch who returned, likely returned to play for Coach Menzies and I would assume they are also gone. They do have a jump on the process of rebuilding with Turgeon already in place and many offers already out, so the building of next year has begun.
What needs to be different next year
Can this version of Kansas City get more Jamar Brown’s and Jayson Petty’s and less players making a quick stop. Not easy to do in this landscape, however Kansas City just doesn’t have the resource to build from the ground up year after year. A 2nd year of Brown, a 3rd year from Petty is the type of foundation Summit League teams need to build on. That likely doesn’t apply to KC going into next year but we have seen is that Summit League teams who are at the top of the league put pieces around 3 or 4 contributing returners. It would benefit Turgeon to bring in some long term options along with veterans that can help Kansas City be more competitive next year.
3 Players to Prioritize
Barring someone staying at Kansas City for educational reasons it is very likely everyone is gone next year, so no way I have 3. I will give one. Even though I think he might be in the portal by the time this is published
JR Guard Jayson Petty
As I said, there’s almost no chance of this. However, Petty is the type of person and player you build what you want your program to look like around. Kansas City would be thinking in their best interest to see what kind of NIL it might take to keep Petty on a restocked squad.