Prospect Spotlight: Justin DeGraaf, Hudsonville, 2020

<p>I recently caught up with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-degraaf/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-degraaf/">Justin DeGraaf</a></a>, a 2020 forward out of Hudsonville. We talked about his decision to transfer to Hudsonville, what its like to play with a target on your back, his goals for his senior season, and some of the schools that are recruiting him at the moment. Before you read his thoughts, check out his highlights below and my thoughts on what makes him stand out from other forwards in the state.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wDENpcnJTqM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h6>Justin's Strengths</h6> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Next-level Athleticism</em></span></h6> <p>The first thing to comes to mind when evaluating Justin's game is that he's been the most athletic guy on the court in the games that I've watched personally. He's put his athleticism on display numerous times this season and in various ways. Justin has shown he can go up and catch a pass and finish above the rim, catching difficult passes while contorting his body to finish the play. He has also shown that he can get his guy off balance and finish with a dunk coming off a jump-stop or an up-and-under move. This type of athleticism is uncommon in the high school ranks and is one attribute that makes Justin a sought-after recruit.</p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Transition Game</em></span></h6> <p>It's no secret that Hudsonville runs a highly successful offense featuring numerous half-court sets that often result in high-percentage shots. But what makes Hudsonville one of the most dangerous teams in the state is their ability to get out and go in the open court. Justin's ability to run the court, with and without the ball, finishing efficiently at the rim makes this offense tough to stop for any defense. Justin is one of the few forwards I have seen that has the awareness to space the floor effectively during the fast break and is skilled enough to bring the ball up the court in transition opportunities.</p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Inside-Out Skillset</em></span></h6> <p>In the past decade, give or take, there has been a shift in how offenses are structured. We often hear about how basketball is becoming a positionless game, which has a lot to do with the continued emergence of the skilled 4-man. College and professional programs are looking for athletic forwards who can score in the paint and from beyond the arch. When I watch Justin play, his game reminds me a lot of this trend. Justin has shown he can put it on the deck to get top the rim from the perimeter and in the paint. He has also shown he can knock down a jumper consistently from deep.  </p> <h6>Q&amp;A</h6> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>What part of your game have you worked on the most leading up to and now into your senior season?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have been working on my ball handling and my shooting the most leading up to my senior season, I even tweaked my shot form a little during the offseason. This is in order to be a player who can stretch the floor and do everything.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>What are your primary strengths as a player?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My primary strengths as a player are my ability to do everything on the court and my ability to get to the rim.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>What factors influenced your decision to transfer to Hudsonville?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The reason for the transfer to Hudsonville was because my Dad took a job in Grand Rapids after his job situation changed in Indiana. My dad commuted for almost a year trying to keep us in our high school in Indiana before we actually moved. The commute was hard on the entire family.  We used to live in Hudsonville before we moved to Indiana in my 7th grade year. So, we decided to move back into the Hudsonville area because of our old connections here. My family is here, our old friends are here. The decision to go to Hudsonville High School was because it was the closest size school to the one I attended in Indiana and academic offerings were very similar.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>How difficult/smooth has the transition been playing on a new team?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The transition has been great, very smooth. I love the coaches and players here and am truly happy to be on this team. I did have some difficulties finding my groove in the first two games of the season. I think that is expected with joining any new team. Since then, I have really been clicking with the guys. All of us work to continue to increase our court understanding with each other at every practice and game.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Hudsonville, in my opinion, is one of the most talented teams in the area. Do you and your teammates feel like you have a target on your backs? If so, how do you embrace that challenge?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yeah, heck, now we are ranked top 5 in the state by some media outlets. We definitely feel like we have a target on our backs and our opponents are going to bring us their top game every night. We understand that, and have prepared, our coaches are pushing us to work hard in practice in order to bring our “A game” to the table as well. We enjoy the challenge, and it pushes us to better ourselves in practice.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>What goals do you have both personally and team for this season?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some goals we have for the season are to win the conference, keep teams under 49 points per game, and then the big one for us is to make it to the Breslin Center and hopefully win a State Championship. My only personal goal is to come out and play every game with the most energy I can, then the rest will take care of itself.</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>You had a great couple of games at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament. Does playing in front of larger crowds and venues bring out a different level of play in yourself?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I do love playing in front of a large crowd, even if it be a crowd that is not our own, packed games are always very enjoyable and get me pumped up but I try to bring my top performance in every game no matter the crowd. That being said quick shout out to the best student section in the state, The Flock! They bring it every game!</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>Turning to recruiting, what schools have been in contact with you the most?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The schools that have been in contact with me the most have been VMI, Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Lake Superior State University, Hope College, and Trinity Christain College</span></p> <h6><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em>What factors will impact your decision the most when it comes down to picking a school?</em></span></h6> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s been a really difficult process for me to decide what college program is best for me. I have had a lot of changes in the last couple of years. I feel like transferring for my senior year has delayed my decision.  I’m trying hard to focus on the factors that will impact me the most: team camaraderie, academics, offensive playing style, coaching style, campus feel, and player development (both on the court and personal).</span></p>