Player Spotlight: Kayleb Kearse

Photo: Jr. Hoops

Prep Hoops Next Staff

February 8, 2022 @ 03:24 PM

If you haven’t had a chance to see Kyleb Kearse play, you’re going to be in for a treat when you do see him. He is a take what they give me type of player. He is fast and he…

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If you haven’t had a chance to see Kyleb Kearse play, you’re going to be in for a treat when you do see him. He is a take what they give me type of player. He is fast and he is a downhill point guard that often times is checked full-court or he is face-guarded. This kid is a three-level scorer already.

Name: Kayleb Kearse

City/State: Bellflower, California

Height: 5’8

Position: Point Guard

Possible High School: Serra High School (or school in Del Rey League)

Grassroots Team: Cali Rebels and Jr. Hoop

Graduating Year: Class of 2026

Who is your current favorite player?

I can’t say that I have a favorite player. I like Steph and Trae because they shoot threes, but Ja Morant and Russ Westbrook are my favs too because I like how aggressive they are going to the basket so I guess I have 4 favorite players.

What is something that you are working on when it comes to your game?

Main things for me to work on is getting stronger because I’m smaller, but I can also be smarter as a PG and work on that IQ.

Who do you pattern your game after?

I pattern my game after my 4 favorite players that I mentioned earlier. I mean I like to shoot 3’s when defense respects my speed. I also like to attack when the defense is up. I just try to take what they give me. I love playing out of pick and roll to see what I’m going to do to. I try to live in paint that’s why I shoot a lot of free-throws

What are some things that teams do or defenders do that really make you laugh because you’re about to give it to them?

Hmm.. the funny things is that in games people underestimate me cuz I’m small or when guys try to guard me full court it’s funny. When they dare me to shoot the logo 3 too. I work on that all the time I have too make them respect me all over the court.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I’ve been playing since I was 7 but I had the ball in my two hands when I was 3. I have been doing lots of two ball drills with my dad. He told me early that i needed to be able to dribble anywhere and defend. I didn’t start shooting til I was 10 or 11. I wasn’t strong enough til then but it made me aggressive early, not shooting til 10 or 11.

How would you describe your game?

My game is about heart and wanting to win. I’m not scared to lose, but I’m always gonna fight to win. I knew I wasn’t gonna be 6’5, so I prepared to be tuff, a “Dog” I guess, thank you Dad and Coach Darius.

Overall

Kayleb is a dog in that Class of 2026 and California has another good one. Stay tuned because he is going to find a way to get on the floor as a youngster when it’s his turn. Till then, he’s got NEXT.

Rankings

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