250 Expo: Grand Rapids Area Standouts

Once again sticking with the regional theme. After covering Lansing, we’re going to head down I- 96 to Grand Rapids.  As the Mitten’s second largest metropolitan area Grand Rapids gets a lot of coverage. Accordingly for the sake of brevity I’m going to be a bit judicious with this list. We will go for a little “under the radar” theme and maybe circle around later for the more established prospects. So briefly....... Trinidad ChamblissTrinidadChambliss6'0" | PGForest Hills Northern | 2021StateMI and Brady TitusBradyTitus5'10" | PGTri-Unity Christian | 2022StateMI are still really fast and really good  Austin Van ElstAustinVan Elst6'8" | PFThornapple Kellogg | 2021StateMI and Logan CarsonLoganCarson6'9" | PFBuchanan | 2021StateMI are still really big and really good  Ryan GranthamRyanGrantham6'3" | SFGrand Rapids Catholic | 2021StateMI and Jalen CharityJalenCharity6'4" | GuardGrand Rapids Northview | 2022MI are going to be excellent wings on two of the deepest squads in the area.  If you want more on these players click their orange hyperlinks as they have been covered extensively. For now, onto some new (or rather new) names. Gavin FisherGavinFisher6'5" | SFFruitport | 2021StateMI 6-5 2021 Forest Hills Northern (pictured at the top of article)  Until recently Fisher would have been in tomorrow’s column of players from the Lakeshore. The Fruitport transfer is in line for a big senior season. No projection needed here. Already possesses the size and skill set to be a legitimate three at the next level. Had a good summer playing with a tough West Michigan Lakers squad and continued that play this past Sunday. Easily elevates well above the rim. Could be the missing piece for a Huskies squad that will have one the top backcourts in entire state with Chambliss and Ferris St bound Ethan EricksonEthanErickson6'1" | SGForest Hills Northern | 2021StateMI. Owen HardyOwenHardy6'8" | PFForest Hills Eastern | 2022StateMI 6-8 2022 Forest Hills Eastern Staying in the Forest Hills school district but in the smallest of the three high schools, comes this fast rising post. Watching him this summer with UTS Elite 2022, looked like a project. Not so much this weekend. Long, lanky, and very skinny. Despite frame shows toughness and is not afraid of contact. Even though the frame might scream “uncoordinated” runs the court well and has fluid movements. While he’s not the type of player that is going to lead a fast break with his handle, has good ball skills. Especially in the post. The wingspan makes him an effective rim protector. Showed this off with some blocked shots on Sunday. Prospect whose development arrow is pointed way up.  Josh MayhueJoshMayhue6'1" | SFEast Kentwood | 2021StateMI 6-1 2021 East Kentwood A very active player on the grassroots and showcase circuits. It appears all that hard work is starting to pay off.  A bit of a “tweener” in the the past, has now grown to be a true lead guard prospect. You can tell he has spent some time defending players like Jamoni JonesJamoniJones6'1" | PGEast Kentwood | 2020StateMI (Schoolcraft CC) in the past few years. Gets after it defensively and is not intimidated. I’ve been told there are some changes possibly in the works for the Falcons backcourt. If given the opportunity Mayhue could surprise with a big senior season.  Trey BollingTreyBolling6'7" | CEast Grand Rapids | 2021StateMI 6-7 2021 East Grand Rapids Let get this out of the way first. 2023’s Drew Caswell and Simon Neuhaus are really good. You’re going to be hearing a lot from them in the next few years. But let’s not forget about the upperclassman in the middle who will help lead the Pioneer resurgence. Over the past week I feel like I have typed the words long and lanky about a hundred times. That is not the case with this player. Broad shouldered and bulky are the best descriptions here. Aggressive and not afraid to throw that bulk around either. On more than one instance it appeared players bounced off him on Sunday. Ran with the aforementioned West Michigan Lakers this summer where he showed the ability to do the dirty work next to Ferris St bound big Nathan ClaerbautNathanClaerbaut6'5" | ForwardZeeland East | 2021MI. Holds offers from Calvin and Olivet already. That list could grow with a big senior season.  Wells Walker IIIWellsWalker III5'9" | PGGodwin Heights | 2022StateMI 5-9 2022 Godwin Heights What the fall showcase season is all about. A undersized guard like this might get lost in the shuffle of a normal AAU tournament. In a one day setting like Sunday, took advantage of a opportunity and showed he can play. Got off to a slow start but appeared to get more comfortable as the day progressed. Has deceptive athleticism and was comfortable playing in the mid range. Made up for size by elevating well on his jump shot. Highly competitive and he will need it. He’s got a bit of depth chart to get through as someone should trademark the phrase “Godwin grows guards”. But like Kentwood’s Mayhue, if he gets an opportunity I think he could surprise some people.