Uniting Opportunity and Talent: We Are United Prep (MO) 2026-27 Player Profiles
We Are United Prep is a Nixa, MO based college basketball prospect developmental program, founded in 2021 by the late Rob Yanders and now led by his brother, head coach Sly Yanders. The program trains out of The Basketball Movement, the player-development facility Rob built in Nixa, just south of Springfield.
Rob Yanders was a two-time junior college All-American, then was an All Missouri Valley player at<a href="https://sgfcitizen.org/springfield-sports/rob-yanders-former-missouri-state-standout-and-local-youth-basketball-coach-dies-at-44/">Missouri State</a> (2000-02). He played 12 seasons professionally in Great Britain and was a member of the 2009 Great Britain national team.
His coaching career began in 2006, when he founded the Yanders Law AAU program where he coached more than 80 DI players. In 2008 he opened The Basketball Movement, and in 2021 he launched We Are United as a postgraduate program, with Sly as associate head coach. Rob passed away in April 2024 at age 44, and Sly has carried the program forward as head coach. Sly Yanders helped his brother grow and expand the success of We Are United, and the sister Yanders Law AAU program. Coaching high level basketball for the past 18 years, he has helped develop over 100 players to every level of basketball, including the NBA and Europe. Craig Smith is an associate head coach. He coached with Rob Yanders on We Are United and Yanders Law and was his partner in The Basketball Movement. He is a skill development trainer that has had a hand in developing multiple European and NBA pros and over 100 college players total in his 13 years with the programs.
The program's standard hasn't changed: players train six days a week, often twice a day, with the same accountability in the classroom as on the court. As Sly puts it, "You make it through here? You are ready to survive at a university."
For the 2026-27 season, We Are United will be one of the member teams in the inaugural season of the Post Grad division of the Mid-American Prep League. The roster is profiled below.
Anthony Byrd (2027) 6'8 forward - From Hopkins High (MN), Byrd can handle the ball and shoot as a pick and pop 4/5. He is able to guard 3-5 and can survive switches. He is just starting to reach his ceiling. Projected as a Mid Major + recruit.
Jaden Hardiman (2027) 6'6 forward - From Juneau High (WI), Hardiman is an elite athlete. Free throw line dunker. Still growing. Dedicated to his conditioning and fitness. He is a devastating defender vs. 1-4. Hardiman is instant impact in transition and is a tremendous finisher at rim. Projected as a Low Major + recruit.
Dion "King" James (2027) 6'6 forward - From Hiawatha High (MN), James is an impact forward, with a > 40 inch vertical leap. He is an elite offensive rebounder. His ever-improving shooting mechanics make him a tantalizing prospect. James is a rim protector, in both the half court and transition. Projected as a Mid Major recruit.
Carder Kelly (2027) 6'2 guard - From Norwood High (MO) Kelly is a long combo guard. He is good at the catch and shoot. Kelly is a deceptively athletic and long defender with good timing. He is gaining weight and working on his physicality. Projected as a NAIA/D2 recruit.
Kevin Pittman (2027) 7'0 center - From West Allis High (WI), Pittman is a true big man post presence. He is devastating on rim runs and offensive rebounds. A true rim protector defensively. He is unselfish when receiving post entries but is a phenomenal over the right shoulder scorer. Projected as a Mid Major + recruit.
Thian Riak (2027) 6'5 small forward - From Madison LaFollette High (WI) Riak is an explosive athlete. He is projected to grow a few more inches. He is a shot blocker and a perimeter defender. He handles the ball and shoots well enough to be a secondary initiator at the 3. Projected as a Low Major + recruit.
Kamar Thomas (2027) 6'4 guard - From De La Salle High (MN), Thomas is an elite point-of-attack defender with an expanding offensive game. He is a physical player that is persistent in getting to the rim. Thomas can guard 1-3, and holds his own against 4's. He is a tone setter with effort and defensive attitude. Projected as a Mid Major recruit.
Michael Wilson (2027) 6'4 guard - From Madison West High (WI) Wilson is big body guard. His jump shot has made huge strides. He is exceptionally physical on both ends and is dominant against smaller guards offensively. Projected as a Low Major + recruit.
Eli Yates (2027) 6'4 wing - From Willard High (MO) Yates is a late bloomer. He is growing into his body, and may get another inch or two. Yates is able to make jumpers and be creative at rim. He is a good rebounder for size. Projected as a NAIA recruit.
Jumair Wright (2028) 6'2 point guard - From South High (MN) Wright is an electric offensive player. Terrific decision maker one on one and in transition. Great passer to the bigs in DHO and PnR. Defenders cannot go under ball screens or he will knock it down. Projected as a High Major recruit.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.