Grassroots Preview: MBA Select 2018
The AAU season is upon us and we are ready to get things going. This season, we begin again with our previews of some of the top AAU programs in the state. Today, we take a look at MBA Select 2018.
# | Name | HT | POS | Class | HS |
2 | Alex Francouer | 5’10 | PG | 2018 | South Bend Washington |
34 | Rylen Grundy | 6’5 | PF | 2018 | South Bend Riley |
10 | Mike Hemingway | 5’10 | PG | 2018 | Mishawaka Marian |
14 | Zach Lattimer | 6’3 | SF | 2018 | Mishawaka Marian |
4 | Xavier O’Neal Jr. | 6’2 | SG | 2018 | South Bend Washington |
1 | Brady Powers | 5’10 | PG | 2018 | South Bend St. Joseph |
21 | BJ Saunders | 6’1 | SG | 2018 | Mattawan (MI) |
11 | Luke Stephens | 6’1 | SG | 2018 | Fairfield |
5 | Luke Toliver | 6’4 | SF | 2018 | Paw Paw (MI) |
23 | Cade Walberg | 6’2 | SG | 2018 | South Bend Washington |
Strengths: The strength of this group is their guards. With guys like Francouer, Hemingway, Powers, Saunders, Stephens, and Walberg, they have a lot of options to play on the ball if needed. They could potentially sub a lot to keep fresh legs on the floor. Could be a group that plays fast, gets up and down and will compete with some faster teams.
Why College Programs Should Watch: This team has an interesting mix of players from guys like Grundy and Hemingway to Stephens and Francouer. Most DIII and NAIA programs should take a long look but could see some DII programs being interested in a few players as well.
Player To Watch: Rylen Grundy (South Bend Riley) – Grundy has been a name to watch for a while now and he’s starting to make an impact on the game with his production. He’s a smaller forward prospect but a good one that could really start to take off as soon as this weekend. High-end NAIA and DII programs should be watching.
Where To Find Them: They are playing on the NY2LA Circuit this season so they will be heading to Texas this weekend and up to Minnesota and Wisconsin later in the year. They will also be in Fort Wayne for a couple events as well. Not typically a team in the home state very often.