Updated 2017 Rankings: New Faces
After the high school season and AAU seasons finished up, we have finally posted the 2017 rankings. We took many different factors such as individual and team performances in both high school and AAU, as well as college potential, what colleges have offered and shown interest, and several other factors.
There were a few notable players who are new to the rankings who should be names to watch this coming season, as they should turn heads at the high school level and will or already do have offers from colleges. Below are 10 players who are new to the rankings who are names to know if you already don’t:
New Faces:
No. 20 Jake Van Tubbergen: 6’6 SG West Ottawa: The biggest riser and highest rated new face in our new rankings, Van Tubbergen is one of the best players in the state in any class. Expect him and his talented West Ottawa team to be major players on the west side of the state this coming season. A dynamic slasher/mid range scorer who is picking up lots of D1/D2 interest. Has offers from NAIA elites Cornerstone and Davenport.
No. 33 Trent Bell: 6’7 SF/PF Negaunee (Michigan Tech): One of the top players in the UP, Bell will lead a Negaunee team who is looking to get back to the Breslin this season. Bell along with fellow newcomer to our rankings Dre Tuominen will be one of the best 1-2 duo’s in the state in class C. Bell is committed to Michigan Tech.
No. 48 Dawson Bilski: 6’3 SG Powers North Central: A back to back state champion in basketball and looking for his 3rd in a row, Bilski is another one of the UP’s finest. He has posted impressive numbers the last two years for North Central. Expect him to put up All State level stats this season. Bilski is committed to Michigan Tech.
No. 71 Kristian Lafayette: 6’9 PF Hazel Park: A true modern day stretch 4, Lafayette is able to put the ball on the floor against bigger slower posts and scores at the hoop. He has a nice left hand hook shot that he utilizes. He also has a decent jump shot from deep so he can create matchup problems. Teaming up with dynamic 2018 guard duo Carl Bow and David Hearns should help Lafayette excel down on the block as well, as they can penetrate and give him some easy dump down passes. Expect Lafayette to have a big season for Hazel Park.
No. 89 CJ Baird: 6’5 SG Novi Catholic Central: He was very impressive playing for Team Michigan in AAU this summer. Baird is a strong 3 point shooter and rebounder from the perimeter and is also very physical. A high IQ player who rarely makes mistakes, he along with 2019 teammate Davis Lukomski should make Novi CC a major threat in their conference this coming season.
No. 92 Deondre Lovell: 6’2 SG Vicksburg: You could argue that Lovell is one of the more electrifying players in the state in transition. This kid can absolutely soar. He also is a solid 3 point shooter. Should have a very solid year with Vicksburg. NAIA schools should be all over him.
No. 99 Craig Sterk: 6’7 Fwd McBain: He starred for the Ramblers as they got all the way to the semi-finals before being handed their only loss by a Blake Verbeek led Grand Rapids Calvin Christian. Sterk is unknown to many despite being one of the best forwards in Northern Michigan because he has never played AAU, which is crucial to players getting exposure today. He has a solid skillset that helps him project as a 4 or stretch 4 at an NAIA level. D3s and NAIA schools should also be all over this kid during the coming high school season.
No. 142 Ben Feldpausch: 6’1 PG St. Johns: A scoring point guard who can fill it up at all 3 levels well. He has a really nice jump shot from deep that is very effective. He also is crafty and is able to finish inside against bigger defenders. His facilitating abilities could use a little work but they are not bad. He plays for a team that is in a tough conference and district so he and his team are usually unnoticed but he is definitely a kid JUCO, D3 and NAIA coaches should watch this winter.
No. 162 Konner Vedrode: 5’11 PG Alma: Perhaps the best player in the Tri Valley Central Conference now that teammate and IPFW player Dylan Carl has graduated. Vedrode is an excellent 3 level scorer who can go toe to toe with just about anyone and he won’t back down. A superb 3 sport standout athlete who may pick up offers in all 3 sports at varying college levels. Expect Vedrode to have a huge season as he is Alma’s most experienced player and leading scorer returning. JUCO-NAIAs should watch him in action during the coming high school season as he should put on a scoring clinic for the Alma Panthers.