ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Before the 2021 NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, you should get familiar with all the locally-grown talent that will be on display.
There are 13 players with ties to the St. Louis area that will represent their schools in March Madness – a few of them have good odds to reach the Final Four or National Championship.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
The freshman from Trinity Catholic in north St. Louis County was a two-time All-State selection in Missouri. At 7-feet tall, he leads his team in blocks (37) and averages 6.4 points in 13.9 minutes per game.
Kobe Clark, Georgetown
Another freshman from St. Louis, Clark, doesn't see much action during games for the Big East Tournament champs. The Vashon High School graduate has started one game for the Hoyas this season.
Aaron Cook, Gonzaga
The redshirt senior from Westminster Christian is playing his first year for the current No. 1 team in the nation. He was a top talent in the Missouri Valley Conference for Southern Illinois before transferring after a hand injury. He's a key player coming off the bench who averages 4.4 points per game.
Javon Pickett, Missouri
The junior from Belleville East is a very strong sixth man for the Tigers. He averages 6.2 points, but had a huge game with 14 points in the Illinois bragging rights game to upset the now No. 1 seed.
Mark Smith, Missouri
One of three Smith's for Mizzou, this senior is the former Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois at Edwardsville High School. He averages just under 10 points per game and averages 28.2 minutes per game this season.
Jeremiah Tilmon, Missouri
This senior big man from East St. Louis might be Mizzou's most important player if the Tigers have any hope of a deep tournament run. He was named to the second-team All-SEC this year with 7 rebounds and 9.7 points per game.
Torrence Watson, Missouri
The Whitfield School grad has made an appearance in nearly all of Mizzou's contents this season and will be an important piece if any starters get into foul trouble.
Caleb Love, North Carolina
This freshman from CBC has proven to be the best player on the court at times for the Tar Heels this season. He's averaging 10.5 points this year, but has had multiple 20-or-more point performances this season.
Thomas Bell III, North Texas
Good luck to any opposing player that has to go against this senior from Cahokia High School in the paint. He leads his team in blocked shots (30), and averages 5.8 rebounds and 10.3 points per game.
E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
The sophomore from Belleville West is the second-leading scorer on a team that some see as a sleeper pick to win the National Championship. He also leads the Buckeyes in rebounding and was named First Team All-Big Ten this year.
Courtney Ramey, Texas
If this junior guard from Webster Groves gets hot, look out. He averages 12.6 points per game, including a 28-point performance where he made seven 3's against West Virginia. He's one of the key ball handlers for the Longhorns and they say good guard play goes a long way in the tourney.
Yahuza Rasas, Texas Southern
The St. Mary's graduate is an imposing figure off the bench at 6' 7" and 200 pounds. He averages nearly five rebounds per game in only 19 minutes. He hasn't quite played up to his potential though this season after he was named a Preseason All-SWAC First Team Honoree.
Levi Stockard III, VCU
The senior out of Vashon High School transferred to the Rams from Kansas State and in his first year has provided important minutes in the paint for the Atlantic 10 runners up.
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