"Deep-Range Fire With a Fierce Finishing Touch"

Kingston Rottinghaus

IG: @kingstonr36

6'5, Class of 2027

Valley View HS, AR

Kingston can rise up and rain in a shot from deep, then attack the basket when a defender rushes out to stop him. His height makes that outside shot difficult to contest, and he's growing more dangerous when he puts the ball on the floor. He describes himself as a tall shooter, but there's more to his game than standing beyond the arc and waiting for a pass. He wants defenders to have to deal with his shooting touch, his drive, and the strength he's adding near the basket.

Last season tested Kingston and his team. They played well together early, but their rhythm slipped once conference play began, and the season ended without a postseason appearance. Kingston averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 to 2 assists per game. He gave his team scoring from the outside while helping on the boards, yet he knows how much more it means when everyone is clicking and winning together. That difficult finish has stayed with him as he prepares for a new season.

The biggest improvement in Kingston’s game has been the way he attacks inside. He's spent time working in the post so he can use his size and finish when defenders take away his shot. His defense has grown too, giving him another way to impact a game when his offense needs time to find its rhythm. He's also focused on rebounding and adding muscle, knowing that stronger play through contact can help him on both ends of the court.

That progress didn't come without setbacks. Injuries during the summer and preseason interrupted Kingston’s plans and made it harder to build steady momentum. He kept pushing through those stretches and returned to the parts of his game he could strengthen. His response shows in the way he talks about his goals: he's determined to turn the time he has put in behind the scenes into a more complete season on the court.

Playing on the P32 circuit gave Kingston a chance to test himself against strong competition. Those games showed him how quickly a defender can close on a shooter and how important it is to have another answer ready. He could take what he saw there into his training, especially his work near the rim and on defense. Now he wants that experience to help him stay effective when the pace rises, and every possession gets tougher.

Kingston says he's trained for four to five hours a day through the summer and preseason. He has put that time into defensive movement, rebounding, post play, and building strength. Those sessions tell the story of a shooter who wants his entire game to grow. If he can punish a closeout, battle for a board, and finish a play in traffic, his outside shooting becomes even harder for a defense to handle.

Shot blocking is the part of his game Kingston believes people overlook most. His height and timing can help him challenge a player who thinks there's a clear path to the rim. That skill gives him a chance to change a possession even when he doesn't have the ball. As he becomes stronger and more confident defensively, he can bring that same fearless edge to more matchups.

Kingston is pushing to earn all-state recognition at a higher level and draw more scholarship opportunities. He knows those goals will demand more than a big scoring night here and there. He wants his improved defense, stronger play inside, and rebounding to help his team throughout the season. After the way last year ended, he has a chance to help build the chemistry and consistency his group needs.

What fuels Kingston’s fire is the feeling that people are underrating him. He takes that personally and lets it drive the hours he spends preparing for another chance to compete. Every time he steps on the court, he wants his game to show more than people expected. The shot from deep may catch their attention first, but Kingston is pushing to make sure they notice everything else he brings with it.

I assess that Kingston’s size and shooting touch give him a strong foundation. He can make a defender respect his jumper, then use that reaction to attack the lane and finish. His growing comfort near the basket gives him more ways to score and makes him a tougher matchup when opponents try to take away his outside shot.

Kingston has the potential to become a more commanding two-way presence as his added strength meets his developing defensive instincts. His ability to challenge shots gives him value at the rim, while stronger rebounding can help his team regain possession and get moving. He has the skills to stretch a defense and the desire to make his impact felt well beyond scoring.