Rumble in the Rapids- 2024 All Tournament Team
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As with any listing or ranking or listing column there comes trepidation. So here is my annual disclaimer. I only write about what I see with my own two eyes. You might not see me much at a tournament because…
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Continue ReadingAs with any listing or ranking or listing column there comes trepidation. So here is my annual disclaimer. I only write about what I see with my own two eyes. You might not see me much at a tournament because I’m constantly moving trying to see as many players as I can. That being said I can’t see them all. So if you are angered or wondering about an omission chances are I just didn’t see it.
Let’s get to the future. There was a lot of good young talent at the Rumble in the Rapids making this a difficult list to compile, but a fun group to watch.
First Team
PG- James Weaver James Weaver 5'10" | CG River Rouge | 2024 State MI 5-11 River Rogue (pictured at top of article) For a young player just looks like he was born to be a point guard. Has obvious quickness but never appears to be in hurry. Pass first point guard who excels at finding open teammates. I was impressed with his toughness. Played through an injury to lead his team to a victory on Saturday evening. Was telling that when games got tight he wanted the ball in his hands. While he is an excellent passer he can look for his own shot when needed. Looks like the next one up in the long line Detroit point guards.
SG- Jerimiah Hale 5-11 Grand Rapids Christian Some players simply carry themselves like scorers. That is this prospect. Confident shooter with an easy and smooth release from beyond the arc. Did this to the tune 24 points on Friday evening. Was good at creating space and has a quick release. Definitely a scoring guard at this point of his development but has solid ball handling ability. At his height this will be key in his development as he will need to sort out the point versus shooting guard dilemma that a lot prospects his size go through.
SF- Travon Cooper 6-4 Detroit Cass Tech Extremely long and bouncy prospect had himself a night Friday evening. Featuring multiple highlight reel dunks Cooper drooped (literally dropped) 28 points. Just from that you can probably ascertain that he excels in transition. Does this as long strider who gets from half court to the rim in half the steps it takes others. Not just an an explosive initial leaper. Has a extremely quick second jump that he used to play volleyball on the boards. Not just a rim runner. I saw him hit a three and he appears to have a developing perimeter game. As Cass Tech reloads this is a prospect to keep an eye on.
PF- Lukas Bakker 6-4 Zeeland West Had a very good weekend playing for MBA 2024 National. Aggressive defensively and knew what to do with it once he got it. Used a tight handle to go coast-to-coast for the finish after a steal. Good passer for his size especially with look ahead passes in transition. Has perimeter range that stretches out the three point line. With this skill set will probably settle in nicely at the three position. That will also probably be dependent upon his teammates. Speaking of teammates it felt like the entire Zeeland West program was playing and playing well on the weekend. MBA 2024 teammate Myles Steffen is smaller version of Bakker. 2023 Drew Wallar and 2022 Drew Weenum were playing with other MBA squads, while Merritt Alderink Merritt Alderink 6'7" | PF Zeeland West | 2024 State #245 Nation MI was in Fort Wayne playing with Bates Fundamentals. The Dux are going to be a tough out next year.
C- Braylon Isom Braylon Isom 6'1" | SG Saginaw Heritage | 2024 State MI 6-3 Saginaw Heritage Passes the eye test in a major way. Powerfully put together athlete with huge potential. Also excels in football but if you have seen him you would not need me to tell you that. There are broad shoulders than there are Isom’s shoulders. Attacks the rim and had more than one dunk on Friday evening. Was told he was nursing an injury through weekend. Goodness, I would hate to see him at full strength. Between injuries and coaching changes the Heritage program has had its fair share of instability recently. Hopefully Isom can settle in during his sophomore year and continue his development.
Second Team
PG- Jon Whiteside 5-10 Troy The Colts were Point Guard U in the past few years. That’s not going to change if this young man keeps playing like he did this weekend. While listed at 5-10, his lanky frame makes him appear taller. Also has long arms which he uses to be disruptive on the defensive end. Athletic and plays with a lot of bounce. Was connecting from deep on Friday evening with multiple three pointers. If he can be consistent from deep has the athleticism to be a special point guard prospect.
SG- Karter Richards Karter Richards 6'2" | PG Grosse Pointe South | 2024 State MI 5-11 Grosse Pointe South Had a good weekend playing for the LaMelo Ball sponsored Puma Elite squad that was undefeated and unchallenged until a Sunday morning loss. While his squad featured some next level athletes (see above Cooper and Isom) Richards game is a little more subtle. That’s not to say he is not athletic. The few times he was able to get out on the break showed good burst and acceleration to the rim. Excellent shooter from deep with a nice mid range floater. I didn’t need one of the parents next to me to let me know he is a coaches son. He clearly plays like it. Like Hale (see above) growth will be key in deciding the point versus two guard dilemma as well.
SF- Dane Eggleston 6-4 Riverview- Weaver’s teammate on Code 313 this is an active young big who kind of defies position right now. Defense is where he made much of his impact with his extreme length. Very skinny but is not scared of contact or mixing it up down low. I viewed multiple blocked shots and alterations in the two games I saw on the weekend. Helps that he plays with a very high motor. While he excels defensively he is a developing offensive player as well. Operated well in pick and roll and more particularly pick and pop situations with previously mentioned James Weaver James Weaver 5'10" | CG River Rouge | 2024 State MI Has a nice touch from the perimeter with unblockable release point.
PF- Mason Struck Mason Struck 6'6" | PF Chesaning | 2024 State MI 6-5 Chesaning Whiteside’s teammate on the Tri-County Cobras, Struck is an intriguing long term post prospect. While not an overwhelming athlete already has some natural skills that can’t always be taught. Chief among are strong hands. If a ball was in his area chances were good that he would come away with it. Also has really solid footwork. This keeps him from looking mechanical as is the case with a lot of post prospects. Sets wide picks and rolls very well. Not afraid of contact and finishes through fouls at the basket. Scored 14 points in a loss to B3 Athletics on Friday evening. A lot to like here. If he continues to grow and develop could be a special prospect.
C- Jaylen Ouwinga 6-6 Grand Rapids Christian Potential is the key word with the tallest player on this list. Has a good frame that appears like it could easily handle more weight. Displayed a soft touch around the basket with the ability to finish with both hands. Obviously well schooled as he did of good job of keeping the ball high on both rebounds and putbacks. While he has good footwork he could stand to improve his lateral quickness and explosiveness. Will grow with a solid backcourt of the aforementioned Jerimiah Hale and his MBA teammates on the weekend Malachi Hoosier and Efe Postel at Grand Rapids Christian.