Top 250 Expo: Lansing Area Standouts

Keeping the regional theme going. After covering Flint, we’ll avoid I-75 and I’ll let the other writers from this site who do an excellent job covering Metro Detroit do their thing. Instead let’s get on I-69 and head towards the Capital city where some excellent young players performed well at Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] 6-9 2022 Wliiamston (pictured at the top of the article) Came into the showcase with a lot of recruiting momentum and did nothing to quell that tide. Showed the perimeter touch and footwork that is rare in a 6-9 prospect. Also showed a level of offensive assertiveness that I did not see as much this summer. Along with outstanding height, you could cite long arms and excellent length to say he plays even larger than his listed dimensions. Had an excellent summer playing with both Parallel 45 and REACH. As you will see below is in a excellent developmental situation with the Hornets. Doesn’t need to bang underneath for his team to have success. That being said the next step to expand and complete his game would be a refined post game. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/154_Brandon-HuntPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061924" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/154_Brandon-HuntPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="811112" first="Brandon" last="Hunt"] 6-8 2022 Williamston Burton’s teammate is more of traditional four. However don’t let that description pigeon hole this prospect. Versatile, long, and bouncy is capable of playing both inside and out if needed. Displayed athleticism by catching a lob well above the rim. Aggressive and shows good instincts on the defensive end as well. Had an excellent summer with UTS Elite. Will team with the aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] and Cade Conley to form what could be the best front court in the entire state. Has a good academic profile and has committed to play for Bethel University in Indiana. This is the type of NAIA recruit that hangs banners 3. D‘Angelo Fitzpatrick 6-4 2023 Haslett Like Hunt extremely long, lanky, and bouncy prospect. Caught him with two separate teams this summer playing at his grade level. It was good to see Sunday that his athleticism carries well as he was playing with older prospects. It was also good to see the intangibles to go along with the physical gifts. Had probably the assist of the day. A one handed bounce pass that threaded the needle through the traffic to hit a player in stride to the basket. Big time potential for this young prospect <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/160_Same-LeppienPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061929" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/160_Same-LeppienPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 4. Sam Leppein 6-10 2022 Alma This player has come a long way since I first saw him at a camp about this time last fall. Looked like a long term project then. Now just looks like a long term college big man. Frame has filled out in a big time way. Thick long arms made him probably the largest participant on the day in terms of raw measurables. While not the most fluid of athletes, has good enough lateral quickness to defend out on the perimeter. Will need to continue to smooth out his post game but once again has come a long way in a short period time. Is a “gym open, I’m playing” type of player. Completed the Michigan grassroots triumvirate by playing with Parallel 45, REACH, and Storm this summer. Work ethic combined physical tools make this a prospect to keep an eye on. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/125_Teddy-WilliamsPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061901" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/125_Teddy-WilliamsPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 5. [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"] 6-6 2023 Grand Ledge I first saw this player last year at the 250 Expo. A year later appears to be coming along nicely. Has “double check the program” type of size for a player his age. Thought it was typo last year. I like his aggressiveness and willingness to throw that size around. Definitely a post prospect right now. However does show enough ball skills to stretch things out if he is done growing. Had a good summer playing with a Michigan Prospectors 2023 squad that played up a grade level in a few events. A lot of good young talent is entering the Grand Ledge program in the next few years. This player will be leading the charge. <del><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/118_Jamison-EklundPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061895" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/118_Jamison-EklundPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a></del> 6. [player_tooltip player_id="986252" first="Jamison" last="Eklund"] 6-5 2023 Pewamo Westphalia It is always striking how quickly underclassmen can develop. Eklund is rapidly moving in the right direction. An obviously skilled player when I first saw him this summer. However unlike frontcourt AAU partner [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"] very much looked his age. Fast forward a few moths and now looks filled out and advanced physically. Knows how to play as you would expect with a player with this program pedigree. With his increased size and length showed the ability to play both inside and out. With the retirement of long time coach Luke Pohl, some might think the Pewamo pipeline would be drying up. This prospect proves that assumption wrong in a big way.