Class of 2017: Where are they now?
The 2017 class was pretty balanced in terms of depth at each position. Here is a look at where the top five guys in the class are now.
Xavier Tillman (Grand Rapids Christian)
Tillman didn’t win Mr. Basketball, but did get a scholarship to Michigan State, where he showed toughness and solid post moves in his freshman year. Tillman didn’t see the floor much, thanks to the Spartans’ loaded roster, but he did manage to gain more playing time as the season went along. He finished his freshman season averaging 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds. He will be a key piece to the 2018-19 MSU basketball team.
Jamal Cain (Detroit Cornerstone)
Cain was a highly touted recruit coming out of Cornerstone and the 6-foot-7 wing ended up at Marquette, where he found success in his freshman year. He averaged 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Cain was named Marquette’s most improved player last season and should have another solid year as a sophomore.
Isaiah Livers (Kalamazoo Central)
After winning Mr. Basketball in 2017, Livers played a key role in Michigan’s Final Four run last year. The 6-foot-7 forward started 22 games for the Wolverines and averaged 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Despite not scoring many points, Livers was a solid defender in John Belein’s scheme. If he can improve his inside game, Livers should play a ton of minutes for Michigan as a sophomore.
Ike Eke (UD Jesuit)
Eke was a monster at UD Jesuit, averaging a double-double his senior season. That led to an offer from Marquette. Eke redshirted for medical reasons last season but should get a shot to play this year. He will have to work his way up the depth chart, but Eke has a lot of raw potential and could turn into a very good big man for the Golden Eagles.
Greg Elliot (East English Village)
Like Eke and Cain, Elliot is playing for Marquette. As a freshman, Elliot appeared in all 35 games and started four. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was third on the team in blocks with 24 and fourth on the team in steals with 30. He really made his mark on the defensive end and should continue to become a better offensive player.