September Summer Skill Set Superlatives

Hope that was enough words beginning with “S” in the title. This is annually one of my favorite columns. An overview of the of the players and particular skill sets that stood out in a grassroots season. Accordingly after this most unusual season this column is coming in late September. Same loose ground rules as last year. The categories are arbitrary and based on performance, not reputation. I also only cover what I saw in person. So if your favorite player isn’t on here or you disagree, it’s highly likely I just didn’t see them. Best Athlete [player_tooltip player_id="787618" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"] 6-6 2022 Grand Blanc Please don’t misinterpret this categorization. [player_tooltip player_id="787618" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"] is an excellent basketball player— full stop. However this summer I was struck by his sheer athletic prowess. This was readily apparent very early at the Trine shootout in Indiana. Watching him step on the court, take the opening tip, convert a dunk, a steal, and another dunk off of said steal within the first thirty seconds of the game was a sight to behold. Sturdy lean build, with long arms and the ability to jump out of the gym. If he wanted to be a receiver on the grid iron, a right fielder, or decathlete, he would be elite in whatever he tried. Did I mention he’s a pretty good player too. A solid handle, skilled in the mid range and ferocious going to the basket. The only thing missing is a dead eye three point shot. If that comes it’s curtains. Capped off his summer by showing out in a run with the national EYBL program Meanstreets. The Chicago area event was covered by this site. [player_tooltip player_id="787606" first="Emoni" last="Bates"] gets a lot of attention and it’s earned. However don’t forget about the second ranked prospect in 2022 class. A few years ago I was working the phones trying to see if Josh Jackson would be staying in state. I’ll never forget a coach telling me relax and remember two guys named Cassius Winston and Miles Bridges in the same class. It goes without saying don’t forget [player_tooltip player_id="787618" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"]. Best Move [player_tooltip player_id="611404" first="Kobe" last="Bufkin"] 6-4 2021 Grand Rapids Christian Perhaps the most active and visible of the elite national in state recruits. Bufkin ran with the Grand Rapids Storm in multiple events. Heading to Ann Arbor I would love to read the coming conference scouting reports to stop the “step back”. A hard forward jab step, followed by a sudden behind back dribble with a giant backward hop, ending with a quick rise and release with the left hand. Simply unstoppable. Bufkin had a excellent summer and seemed to take it to another level after committing to the Wolverines in early July. Put on an absolute show at Trine the weekend before [player_tooltip player_id="787618" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"] came down. Followed that up with an excellent weekend at the Brawl for the Ball in Fort Wayne against some big time competition. Not just a shooter or step back artist. Finishes well above the rim and has an explosive first step. Will be locked in a battle with [player_tooltip player_id="811091" first="Pierre" last="Brooks"] for the 2021 Mr. Basketball award. An early season matchup between the two scheduled at Cornerstone University could be a classic. Best Handle [player_tooltip player_id="811109" first="Keyon" last="Mennifield"] 6-2 2021 Flint Beecher Playing for a high profile program that schedules aggressively this point guard on been on the radar for a long time. However going into his senior year he exploded this summer. Both figuratively and literally. After being a slight most his of career, has sprouted up to a legitimate 6-2. Onto the featured skill set. Is an absolute wizard with the ball in his hands. The “ball on a string” descriptor definitely applies here. Both flashy and efficient with an effective snake dribble. Easily gets wherever he wants in the half court. Displayed this frequently playing with UTS Elite. Stood out in deep nationally ranked fields at the NY2LA events in Wisconsin and the Ohio Basketball Grassroots Showcase over Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis. Outside of the handle don’t forget the “in the gym range” he has always possessed. It feels strange but it’s been three seasons since Beecher has taken home a state championship. Mennifield and company will be looking to end that drought Best Floor General [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] 5-11 2023 Grand Blanc The term floor general is kind of cliche, but it is extremely apt for this prospect. Not the biggest, flashiest, or most athletic prospect. But goodness does he know how to run a team. Had a classic lead guard duel with [player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"] and UTS Elite 2022 at the Great Eight shootout in Fort Wayne. Came out on the losing end of that one. Defeated All Out Elite and 2021 Ferris St signee [player_tooltip player_id="811108" first="Bennie" last="Crenshaw"] at the Brawl for the Ball in the same gym earlier in the summer. After enjoying those contests and going through the notes. You almost forget Taylor was doing this all as a 2023 prospect. Playing up one or two grade levels depending on the weekend. Simply put there isn’t much he doesn’t do as a point guard. If you been reading this entire column you know he has plenty of talent to work with at Grand Blanc. To be bluntly honest. I’m kind of looking forward to his senior year when he will probably be the focal point of the offense. For now I will enjoy the best table setter at a really good restaurant. Best Shooter [player_tooltip player_id="811128" first="Ethan" last="Erickson"] 6-1 2021 Forest Hills Northern and [player_tooltip player_id="814564" first="Will" last="Smythe"] 6-4 2021 Orchard Lake St Mary’s That’s right I copped out and went for the tie. When you shot like these guys did it was the only outcome. They both were lights out all summer, but went about it in different fashions. The Ferris St bound Erickson does it primarily from the point guard position. Playing with the Grand Rapids Storm Erickson doesn’t initially pass the eye test. What becomes apparent quickly is an extremely quick release. This is necessary as he is not the tallest prospect. Another thing that helps him overcome his height is a text book ability to elevate quickly. Despite being text book, also excels at shooting off balance and from odd angles. This allows him to get his shot off as he pleases often over larger defenders. Did I mention it goes in a lot— yeah that too. Smythe is a player I did not see much of going into the summer. However it doesn’t take long to realize Smythe can really stroke it. Played with REACH the whole season in many high profile events. Taller than Erickson, he gets his shot off with ease simply due to his size. Also features a smooth and effortless release with little wind up. Good footwork seems to always have his shoulders squared. Not just a three point marksman. Shot well in the mid range when teams ran him off the line. Transferring across the Catholic league from Warren De LaSalle to a deep St Mary’s squad. He should have ample opportunities for wide open shots. If he shoots like he did this summer he could surprise with some eye opening statistics.