Breaking Down Michigan’s Loaded 2018 Class: Who’s Committed and Who’s Available
This year’s senior class, the class of 2018, is one of Michigan’s most talented and deepest classes in decades. There is a plethora of talent at all levels – from the elite, nationally ranked, high-major commits such as Marcus Bingham, Foster Loyer, Brandon Johns, Gabe Brown and David Dejulius to guys like Brandon Wade, Quinn Blair (committed to William & Mary this week) or Rashad Williams, who seem to have more mid-major offers than they can count. Then there are guys like D’Juan Seal, who have yet to receive a D1 offer despite having great AAU seasons. In addition, there are plenty of other quality players who will end up at the D2-JuCo level who, had they been a year or two younger, would have been big names in their class.
Let’s take a look at the 2018 class, starting with all the players who have already committed:
Committed
- Brandon Johns – Michigan
- Gabe Brown -Michigan State
- Foster Loyer – Michigan State
- Marcus Bingham – Michigan State
- David Dejulius – Michigan
- Thomas Kithier – Michigan State
- Taylor Currie – Michigan
- Trevion Williams – Purdue
- Quinn Blair – William & Mary
- Traveon Maddox – Oakland
- Gary Solomon – LIU Brooklyn
- Pierre Mitchell – Central Michigan
- Mario Whitley – Saginaw Valley State
- Nelson McCauley – Ferris State
- Ben Davidson – Ferris State
- Jake Witt – Michigan Tech
- Tanner Reha – Northwood
Available
- Brandon Wade – Wade has nearly 20 D1 offers and is perhaps the top remaining uncommitted in this class. He had a great AAU season, giving everybody, including future high-major players, buckets. He is as complete as they come, maybe with the only knock on his game being his lack of verticality. Over the summer, however, he proved that this is not an issue for him, as he consistently finished at the rim as well as defended bigger, more athletic opponents.
- Lamar Norman – Another player who you could easily make a case for being the top uncommitted 2018, Norman has multiple D1 offers. He’s visiting UTEP as I write this. One of the state’s most electrifying players, Norman is super athletic and can put up points in a hurry.
- Markeese Hastings – Hastings had arguably the best spring/summer of anybody in the state. In the past, he had played a big man role, controlling the glass with his endless motor despite being undersized. This spring/summer, however, Hastings proved he could be a solid wing, as he displayed abilities to shoot the trey, make plays off the dribble, as well as defend from the perimeter. Couple that with monster play down low against anybody and everybody and the result is a dominant spring/summer, from which Hastings earned a handful of D1 offers.
- Tray Jackson – Another guy who had a great spring/summer, Jackson earned a handful of D1 offers in July. Jackson is just beginning to tap into his full potential, as he has the height and length to play anywhere. Look for him to have a monster high school season.
- Seth Millner – Millner is one of the more overlooked players in this loaded class. Last high school season, he was the fourth option on a ridiculously talented Grand Rapids Christian team, showing he’s capable of being effective as a role player. This AAU season, however, Millner stepped into the spotlight and proved that he’s a legitimate first or second option. For his efforts, he earned several mid-major offers. He is definitely a player to watch this upcoming high school season.
- Rashad Williams – As mentioned at the beginning, Williams has a plethora of low and mid-major D1 offers. He’s one of those guys that can get hot at any time and carry his team to a victory. He is definitely a player to watch this upcoming season, as he will undoubtedly have a fantastic senior campaign.
- Deante Johnson – Johnson picked up a few mid-major offers this AAU season running with EYBL powerhouse Meanstreets. A tall, long and athletic big, Johnson is one of the best shot blockers in the state. He plays his high school ball on a talented DEPSA squad, so it’s very possible we could see Johnson in action deep in the playoffs this year.
- D’Juan Seal – Seal had one of the best AAU campaigns in the state this year, generating a ton of buzz around his stellar play. He’s crazy athletic and uses it to his advantage, playing with great energy and toughness. Because of this, he is one of the most electrifying players in the state. No doubt he will look to make a statement this year, as he’s still in search of his first D1 offer, despite dominating this AAU season.
- Bryce Washington – Washington nearly has double-digit D1 offers. He had a solid AAU season running with The Family. His high school squad, Southfield Christian, will be the favorite to win the Class D state title, so look for him to have a big time senior campaign.
- Mason Pline – Pline’s lone D1 offer comes way of Air Force. He does have a good collection of D2 offers, a level that he’d be able to go make an impact immediately. The 6’7″ forward is one of the best small-school players in the state, so look for him to have a dominant final year.
- Jacob Boonyasith – Boonyasith had a great month of July running with Grand Rapids Storm. He’s a super smooth scorer, capable of putting the ball in the basket at a high rate from all three levels. Like Pline, Boonyasith possesses a D1 offer by way of Air Force.
- Justin Fischer – Fischer had a fantastic AAU season, proving over and over that, not only can he hang, but can produce at a high rate against D1 competition. Fischer is one of the best passers in the state – he’s the type of player that makes everybody around him much better.
- Ja’Kavien Lewis – Lewis had a solid month of July running with 1Nation. Anytime he’s on the floor, he’s one of grittiest on-ball defenders you’ll see. This July, he showed he’s more than just a lockdown defender, however, most notably showcasing a quality playmaking ability.
- Jack Ammerman – Ammerman, who’s both high school and AAU teammates with Brandon Wade, is one of the purest shooters in the state. However, he’s not limited to just catch and shoot – he’s capable of making plays for himself or his teammates off the dribble. He does have an offer from Lawerence Tech, but will definitely look to have a strong senior season in order to pick up some more.
- Anthony Crump – Crump is a 6’7″ guard who’s just begun to tap into his full potential. He ran with Greenwood Elite this AAU season, picking up his first D1 offer over the summer. Look for him to have a huge senior year, potentially earning another D1 offer or two.
- Jacob Polakovich – Polakovich is a 6’8″ big man with that old-school, grind-it-out big man game. He’s a brusier through and through, a guy who battles every play down low. He teams up with Marcus Bingham to form one of the best backcourts in the state this year – look for them to make a run in Class B.
- Zavon Godwin – Godwin is a long, athletic guard/forward. He has a handful of D2 offers, a level that he could come in and make an immediate impact. He’s another guy who will be playing with purpose this upcoming high school season, as he’s still in search of that first D1 offer.
- Payton Harley – Harley had a really good month of July running with Grand Rapids Storm. He consistently won matchups against D1 guys, looking very much like a D1 player himself. He’s one of the more underrated players in this class – a guy who can make an impact on either side of the ball. He’ll make an impact at a D2 school if he chooses that route.
- CJ Robinson – Robinson is another quality player who flies under the radar. He’s a complete PG – he can facilitate, score and defend, all at a high level. He plays on a loaded Clarkston team that will be one of the favorites in Class A this year. Together, Robinson and Foster Loyer will make up one of the best backcourts in the state.
- Danny Kolp – Kolp is another guy who will be able to make an immediate impact at a D2 school. The skilled big man has struggled with injuries in the past, but finished his AAU campaign strong this summer. He recently picked up an offer from Northern Michigan.
- Luke Hyde – Hyde was another one of those guys who had a fantastic AAU campaign. He’s a bit undersized for his position, but he more than makes up for it with his grown-man strength. He has a D2 offer from Ferris State, a level where he would thrive.
As a testament to just how talented/deep this 2018 class really is, there are still many players who will undoubtedly go on to have successful college careers that I didn’t mention. For example, guys like Trendon Hankerson, Cass Phillips, Jake Witt, Carl Bow, and many more are all quality high school players who will look to have great senior seasons. This upcoming high school season will be a ton of fun to watch. College coaches should be all over this 2018 class.