Prep Hoops 2k21: All Michigan Team
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While the mitten did not produce a high quantity of teams at the loaded Prep Hoops 2k21 event in Indianapolis. The quality was most definitely there. Here are six that stood out for me along with positional fits. PG- Trey…
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Continue ReadingWhile the mitten did not produce a high quantity of teams at the loaded Prep Hoops 2k21 event in Indianapolis. The quality was most definitely there. Here are six that stood out for me along with positional fits.
PG- Trey Kolakovich Trey Kolakovich 5'10" | CG Croswell-Lexington | 2023 State MI 5-11 2023 Croswell-Lexington Began his weekend by showing out at the Mid Michigan CC elite camp. As I wrote on Thursday night this is the rare traditional point guard prospect. Balances efficiently running a offense while also looking for his own shot. Not very big but has a lot of power in his compact frame. No fear driving to the basket. Has a variety of creative finishes to make up for the lack of size. If the shot isn’t there is good at dumping the ball off or kicking it out for a three. Oh yeah don’t forget did all this while playing up a grade level in his first week with EAT Athletics. Leading a group of unfamiliar teammates to an undefeated weekend in this deep field is quite an accomplishment. Should be returning to his regular team and age group at the Grit Regional finals back in Indianapolis next weekend.
SG- Jakhary Towns Jakhary Towns 6'1" | SG Godwin Heights | 2023 State MI 6-1 2023 Wyoming Godwin Heights Playing with Chicago based Team Rose. Towns continued to show the expansion in his game that makes him one of the rising players in the 2023 class. A top level shooter since his freshman season. Towns is becoming more of combo guard. Showed a tighter handle and the ability to drive more as defenses ran him off the line. I was impressed that he wanted the ball in crunch time of his team’s tight Friday victory over the Tulsa Hawks. Can create his own shot but moves very well off the ball and comes off picks ready to shoot or drive. Has good court vision but is not a point guard in the classic sense. As he continues to develop physically the next step will be scoring at rim.
SF- Byron Brooks 6-5 2022 Bloomfield Hills Brooks had a breakout weekend for the aforementioned EAT Athletics squad. The strength of his game is versatility. In previous tournaments was often EAT’s only big man and manned the post serviceably for a player his size. With the presence of the 6-7 duo of Donovan McDonald Donovan McDonald 6'7" | PF Croswell-Lexington | 2023 State MI and the Alex Justice (Troy Athens) Brooks really flourished in the mid range. Standout game was a 23 point performance against a good Indiana Game squad. With his new role didn’t forget about the intangibles that were apparent in previous tournaments. Still was a big presence on the boards and was a good passer. Has a sturdy frame and sneaky athleticism. The counting statistics might never be there as he plays for deep and talented squad in the regular season. But small college coaches should take note of Brooks’ performance this weekend in a featured role.
PF- Grady Nash 6-6 2022 Imaly City Like Kolakovich began his week by performing well at the Mid Michigan CC Elite camp. Continued his strong play throughout the weekend with the Michigan Goonies. A long and lanky athlete that was not afraid of contact and mixing it up down low. While I didn’t see it much on the weekend. Showed excellent athletic explosiveness at the Mid Michigan showcase Thursday night. Especially at the rim. Good ball handler for a player of any size. I don’t have any background knowledge but looks like a player who might of had a late growth spurt. Good shooter from deep but does have a somewhat unconventional release. Recent transfer to Imaly City who could be in line for a big senior season.
C- Genesis Kemp Genesis Kemp 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Union | 2022 State MI 6-7 2022 Ypsilanti Prep Academy (pictured at top of article) Having played with Emoni Bates since middle school. Kemp has been on recruiting radars for quite some time. Now playing with the Bates Fundamentals Red squad he looks like he is starting to come into his own. Has always had extreme length and is quite active on the offensive glass. The new part of his game that showed this weekend was proficiency from behind the arc. Did it both within the offense and even in transition. Worked hard offensively and corralled a lot of 50/50 balls. Improving as both a ball handler and passer. That being said with his physical gifts defense and rebounding are where he is going to attract attention. Unlike a lot of Michigan kids getting that attention that should not be an issue. Slated to be back at Ypsilanti Prep Academy after beginning his career at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Coaches should have no problem finding this improving prospect.
Honorable Mention
Ethan Krueger Ethan Krueger 6'8" | PF Muskegon Mona Shores | 2022 State MI 6-7 2022 Muskegon Mona Shores I first saw this young man young man at the Brawl for the Ball the previous weekend. I use that term loosely as there no other way to spin it. He simply didn’t play much there. With Bates Fundamentals only having a five man squad his play weekend he got plenty of run. His play left me wondering why that was the case. With Sean Craig (OH) and Genesis Kemp Genesis Kemp 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Union | 2022 State MI manning the post he was never going to be in a iso situation down low. But he did show the ability to stretch the floor with a nice touch from deep. Not the most fluid athlete but quick enough to be a switchable defender in the pick and roll. The Shores program is most definitely known more for its gridiron exploits. However with Krueger and prospects like Donovan Russell Donovan Russell 6'6" | PF Muskegon Mona Shores | 2022 State MI and 2023 Parker Swartz Parker Swartz 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Northview | 2023 State MI that could be starting to change for the Sailors.