Grassroots Team Preview: TNBA 17U Kaminski
photo: BigShots.net
When you don’t have the assistance of Adidas or Nike, you have to find an edge in other ways. For “non-shoe teams”, like TNBA 17U Kaminski, that comes with style of play and having something to prove.
“We like to consider ourselves a team of underrated players with a chip on our shoulders,” Walt Stanislawski, TNBA 17U Kaminski’s Team Administrator, explained.
While these players may be motivated to impress people who once overlooked them, this is not a cast of rejects by any standard. The TNBA 17U Kaminski group is filled with college-level prospects who play with a strong identity.
“In order for us to be successful, we have to play strong team defense, value possessions, and take good shots,” Stanislawski said.
As Stanislawki explained, the brand of basketball these kids play in the summer is beneficial to them twelve months of the year.
“We don’t want any regression over the course of the summer that high school coaches will have to un-train our guys,” Stanislawski said.
Now, let’s take a deeper look at the specific players.
Coach: Kenn Kaminski
Roster: Jordan Greynolds, 6’3”, Glen Oak
Ethan Stanislawski, 6’2”, Massillon Jackson
Zach Pohlman, 6’6”, Perrysburg
Colin Szumski, 5’11”, Medina
Derek Zeller, 6’3”, Louisville
Tyler Kaminski, 6’6”, Medina
Deontae McCollum, 5’10”, Canton McKinley
Alfred Johnson, 6’7”, Akron Ellet
Josh Kline, 6’7”, Central Valley (PA)
Notes: When you sit in the stands for a TNBA 17U Kaminski game, you’re going to find complementary basketball. We’re assuming it’s one of the reasons Coach Kaminski can play a team-oriented game, because these kids fit.
Zeller, Greynolds, and Szumski, could all be considered glue-guys. All of these players can hit the jumper and spread the floor. But they’ll go out and dive for a loose ball or smartly take a charge also.
“Collin Szumski, he’s a point guard from Medina. He’s a heady point guard who never gets rattled … He’s very calm, cool, collected, and crafty,” Stanislawski said.
“[Zeller] is the guy that does all the dirty work. He’s the guy that will do whatever he needs to do to help the team get better. His shot has improved considerably.”
“Jordan Greynolds, if you’re not familiar with him, he’s Jack Greynolds’ son out of Barberton. He is a sniper for a shooter and he’s obviously a coach’s son, so he’s got a very high basketball IQ,” Stanislawski said.
Then this team also has some size. Their taller players can be found inside protecting the rim, but some operate more so as wings.
“Tyler Kaminski, obviously Kenn’s son, 6’7”, good shooter, emerging player that is getting better. He’s going to be a significant component to the Medina team next year.”
“Johnson, he’s going to be really good. He’s somebody that has a lot of skill. He’s got an incredibly long wing span, is very much a defensive force. Probably one of the nicest kids you’ll meet,” Stanislawski said.
To pull all this together, TNBA 17U Kaminski relies on their two-headed point guard attack to make it flow. Ethan Stanislawski and Deontae McCollum both are coming off breakout junior seaosns in the Federal League. While these two compete for rival schools in the winter, their chemistry is crucial.
Stanislawski is a shifty ball-handler that is being recruited by High Point along with Division II and Division III programs currently. He’s a serious candidate to turn heads on the circuit.
“Deontae is kind of the attacker, slasher. Good outside shooter. Point guard kind of guy, kind of compliments everyone else on the roster,” Stanislawski said.
And then you have the newcomers, Pohlman and Kline. While it’s yet to be seen how exactly these two will mesh, they fit the TNBA 17U Kaminski profile.
“Both of those guys bring athleticism, and a lot of versatility to our team. Zach is a left-hander, as you know. Can handle the ball and shoot. Josh has got very good ball skills and outside shooting skills for a player of his size.”
The first chance to check this team out for yourself will be at the Solon Cage Classic on the weekend of April 7.