Director’s Cut: Michigan Edition
As the first half of the grassroots season comes to a close we wanted to touch base with programs directors and coaches to see how things went during April and May. These articles aim to provide updates on the teams as well as under the radar players or the kids who are on track to have a big July.
Team Name: Ann Arbor Basketball Academy – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
A team new to the Adidas Silver Gauntlet but not so new to each other. This AABA group for the most part has been together since the fifth or sixth grade and you can tell by watching them play. The teams core GPA is 3.7, Coach Jordan Ebbs was quick to give credit to his guys for not only their work and progress on the court but their efforts in the classroom. This 16U squad is full of high IQ players that are being watched closely by numerous college programs of every level.
Under the Radar Players:
• Trevor Arico – 6’0 G – can shoot the ball and facilitate at a high level,
son of Micigan coach, potential Ivy league kid with his GPA being above 4.0
• Kabir Grewal-Bergin – 6’6 F – plays bigger than he is with his on ball instinct and
length, one of the most solid kids you’ll see in 16U, hearing from Air Force,
Detriot and Holy Cross
• Mac Vanrenterghem – 6’1 G – has made a bunch of noise this spring,
hard to stay in front of and super strong finisher at the rim, leads team in assists,
needs to learn a little more discipline on defense but effort is never an issue
• Marco Luchessi – 6’5 F – long strong lefty that can stroke the ball from deep
and attack the rim and finish, always matched up with the opposing teams
best player, communicates at a high level
• Nick Branton – 6’8 F – prototypical kid that just started playing basketball but
turns head in whatever gym he is in, can improve skill level but great intangables
on defense
Where can you find them in July?:
July 6-8: Reach Tune-Up – Dearborn Heights, MI
July 13-15: Summer Jam – Chicago, IL
July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships – Orange County, CA
Team Name: Michigan Playmakers
Mid-Season Update:
This group has made the championship round of every tournament they have been apart of in the spring. Coach Wendell Green said that this groups success starts on the defensive end as they were second in steals and third in rebounding during the spring sessions of the NY2LA events. This team will not only play man to man but junk things up giving teams fits with the various looks that they will give them on the defensive end.
Under the Radar Players:
• Jordan Whitford – 6’0 G – great off the dribble, 15-18 ft is deadly, can defend
big strong guards, been starting on varsity since 10th grade, drawing D1 and
high D2
• Rayvon Williamson – 5’11 G – lockdown defender that hits the open shot,
drawing D2 and NAIA looks right
• Dreyon O’Neal – 6’7 F – big body that can score at all levels, can guard 2-5,
long athletic kids, high major ability that just needs to be seen
• John Massey – 6’5 F – great team guy that does the dirty work so his team can
win games, D2 interest could expand in to bigger looks
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-29: GRBA National Championship – Fort Wayne, IN
Team Name: Grand Rapids Storm
Mid-Season Update:
This Storm group has played a competitive schedule all year long and are winning ball games. The guys are working through playing spots different from what they’re used to playing on their high school teams so that they can be better recruited at the next level. Coach Jason Martin said his kids have worked through and learned a lot together during the first half of the year and appeared to be much more comfortable with each other towards the end of May. This is a crew that is super excited to see what they can do in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Evan Thomas – 6’4 G/W – can guard multiple positions and has been playing
at a high level, plays big in high school
• Trent Summerfield – 6’3 G – shoots lights out, teams have to take caution when
he is in the game
• Jarvis Walker – 6’2 G – physically has a Divsion 1 body right now,
playing up on 17U, offer from Ferris State as a freshman
• Will Dunn – 6’9 F – playing up on 17U, Stanford, Michigan and others reaching
out early
• Elijah Bell – 5’10 F – one of the best on ball defenders in Michigan, 40% from
deep during high school, has excellent vision and a high ceiling
• DeAndre Carter – 5’10 G- can get to the bucket in a flash, one of the quicker
kids you’ll see in 17U
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-29: Fab 48 – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Flint’s Finest Basketball Club
Mid-Season Update:
This Flint’s Finest group is made up of kids who have great potential but are still learning how to play with each other on the court. This team loves to get out in transition and push the basketball. Even with their learning, their style of play can make defenses scramble which allows for Flint’s Finest to find some easy buckets.
Under the Radar Players:
• Latavius Vaughter – 6’5 W – coming back from injury but has played well in his
time back, can step out and shoot but a physical kid that finishes well in transition
• BJ Bransford – 5’11 G – pass first guard that can knock down a jumper if left
open, an extra coach on the floor
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-14: UA Challenge – Atlanta, GA
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
Flint’s Finest is still looking to finalizing their schedule in July.
Team Name: Camp Darryl
Mid-Season Update:
A team full of extremely coachable kids makes Coach Tom Fleming’s job easy. This crew has won some good games this year versus some really solid teams. This Camp Darryl team loves to pressure on their opponents with their swarming defense and ability to dictate that games. These are guys that love to get into the open floor and run but can also execute a set and get the exact shot they were looking for.
Under the Radar Players:
• Seth Wright – 6’7 F – long athletic kid with a 38″ vertical, a kid that can step out
and stroke the deep ball, one of those kids that ceiling is extremely high and
doesn’t know how good he can be
• Payton Fleming – 6’1 G- lockdown defender with a college ready build, a guy
that does a little bit of everything throughout the game, high IQ
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: Summer Jam – Chicago, IL
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-29: GRBA National Championship – Fort Wayne, IN
Team Name: Greenwood Elite
Mid-Season Update:
A Greenwood squad that has had its ups and downs throughout the first half of the year. They were without a key piece in the middle for a few events, 6’8 Michael Fletcher. The guys still managed to make final four runs in numerous tournaments and look to do the same come July when they are back at full strength. Coach Hans Jones says this group is excited for what July can hold for his guys if they go out their and play to their abilities.
Under the Radar Players:
• Reese Caster – 6’3 G – extremely aggressive kid that can put the ball in the
hoop, D2 offers on the table, D1’s taking notice
• Gage McGuire – 6’6 F – stretch four that knocks down outside shots consistently,
working on improving handles, good size and frame, D2 looks right now
• Nigel Colvin – 6’0 G – pure scorer off the bench, buys into that role,
a kid that just wants to win and will do whatever it takes
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Adidas Invitational – Indianapolis, IN
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
Greenwood Elite is still looking to finalizing their schedule in July.
Team Name: Tri-City Heat – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
A group of kids that found great success early in the year with two tournament championships and one runner up under their belts already. This Heat squad plays extremely hard from tip until buzzer and can get it going from the outside in a hurry. Coach DeMario Walker says that if the guys buy in to playing team basketball they are an extremely tough out in tournaments. Look for this crew to continue to make a name for themselves in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Jack Dreyer – G – gets to the bucket with ease and finishes through contact,
on the other end usually matches up with the best kid and locks him down
• Jacob Tomsich – G – knockdown shooter that can make things tough for the
opposing team if he is on
• Merik Hodgins – G – another kid that can knock down shots, runs the floor well
• Jacob Rhine – F – long kid who is an intriguing prospect, can score on the
block and step out 12-15 ft, a kid to keep an eye on
• Jobe Long – G – tough guard who is crafty getting himself to the rack, a kid
that loves to play defense and will cause havoc for other teams
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: RLC JR Memorial Tournament – Dearborn Heights, MI
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-29: GRBA National Championship – Fort Wayne, IN
Team Name: MBA – 17U Lauer
Mid-Season Update:
This MBA team is full of kids who can find a home at the next level. The group is made up of smart basketball players that do the little things to win ball games. They ended the first half of the season with a first place finish in the gold bracket at the Up North Challenge in Mt. Pleasant. This is a fundament team that college programs are keeping tabs on.
Under the Radar Players:
• Xander Okerlund – 6’4 G/F – kid that can knock down shots from any length,
makes every teammate on the court better if he is on the floor, high academic
kid
• Nathan Lauer – 6’2 G – gifted athlete that can score at each level, over the last
year has put on over 15 pounds of muscle mass making him a tough guard for
defenders due to his physicality, defensive instincts are at a high level
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI