Top 250 Expo: Lakeshore Standouts
Sticking with the geographic theme one last time. After covering Grand Rapids we are going to head down I-96 or 196 and head to the Lakeshore region. Heck let’s throw on I-94 while we’re at it. As the following will…
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Continue ReadingSticking with the geographic theme one last time. After covering Grand Rapids we are going to head down I-96 or 196 and head to the Lakeshore region. Heck let’s throw on I-94 while we’re at it.
As the following will show if you know anything about the Lakeshore region you know are going to get some size. That holds true for this year.
Delricco Gillespie 6-8 2022 Benton Harbor Quite possibly the revelation the Expo for me. This young post had an excellent day. Passes the eye test in a big way. Has a bulky frame with long arms but moves very well for his size. Standout game was the final contest of the day. Took a rebound and went coast-to-coast for a big dunk. Nothing timid about his game as he looks for and plays through contact. Showed the ability to finish around the rim with both hands. Was slated to play for the EYBL Family 16 team this summer. Will have to settle for a big junior year as that team did not play. College coaches won’t have to worry about being able to handle pressure or expectations. It doesn’t get much tougher than having to take the spot of 2020 Mr Basketball Carlos Johnson Carlos Johnson 6'6" | SF Benton Harbor | 2020 State #83 Nation MI (Butler). While not on Scooby’s level (few are) it will help that Gillespie also appears to be a good passer. Recently picked up his first Division 1 offer from Eastern Michigan. I expect more to come if Gillespie continues to play like he did Sunday.
Kendall Smith Kendall Smith 6'8" | SF Muskegon Reeths-Puffer | 2021 State MI 6-7 2021 Muskegon Reeths Puffer (pictured at the top of the article) One of my favorite players from the summer grassroots season appears to be keeping things going in the fall. Simply put, there is not much to dislike. Size, quickness, and aggressive with a good academic profile. Athleticism to play above the rim and showed It with an impressive dunk on Sunday. I haven’t seen him show off a consistent outside shot. However I also haven’t seen anything that makes me think it’s not there. Release is consistent and fluid. Probably needs to tighten up his handle to maximize where he plays at the next level. Please click the orange link to read further scouting reports from his excellent summer playing with the West Michigan Lakers.
Jalen Overway 6-9 2022 Holland Christian Huge prospect continues to make strides. This camp provided the rare opportunity to see him go against a player of equal size. Performed well against a similarly built but older 2021 in Romeo’s Blake Woodward Blake Woodward 6'9" | C Romeo | 2021 State MI . Like all bigs of his ilk playing in the 20’s. The keys for Overway going forward will be increasing foot speed to guard on the perimeter and the ability to defend and switch in the pick and roll. Scoring around the basket and rebounding will be there. You can’t teach this type of size. He is improving in this area and has plenty of time. Overway is also participating in football which can only help in regards to quickness and lateral agility. Will not be alone in the front court as fellow Maroon Nathan Ribbens (6-4) participated and looked good as well. They will both be playing in a new system as coach David Kool has moved back to his alma mater Grand Rapids South Christian. Intrigued to see what the year holds for these 2022 prospects
Anthony Sydnor III 6-0 2023 Muskegon We can’t let the big guys have all the fun. Coming off a good summer with UTS Elite this backcourt prospect continued to show why the Big Red program doesn’t rebuild they just reload. Wiry frame makes him look bigger than his listed height. Not afraid of the moment as he always wants to take the big shot. Accordingly very aggressive penetrator who elevates quickly on his jump shot. With fellow 2023 Jordan Briggs Jordan Briggs 6'0" | PG Muskegon | 2023 State MI in the fold he won’t need to play 1 in his high school career. That being said if he stays at this height he might need to improve as a distributor to play at the next level.
Kentrell Pullian Kentrell Pullian 6'0" | CG Benton Harbor | 2021 State MI 6-0 2021 Benton Harbor and Trucel Singleton Trucel Singleton 6'0" | CG Benton Harbor | 2022 State MI 6-0 2022 Benton Harbor These guys played too well to not list them both, so I will put them on as a tandem. Unlike teammate Gillespie, they did not have to back up a Mr. Basketball. Accordingly they have seen plenty of varsity action. With the Tigers that means big time opponents as well. Partially due to this level of competition, both players seem to play much bigger than their listed heights. This belies their frames as they are not the longest of prospects. Excellent outside shooters particularly from the corner. Singleton (pictured above) probably has a little more upside simply because he is younger. Carlos Johnson Carlos Johnson 6'6" | SF Benton Harbor | 2020 State #83 Nation MI was basically a “point forward” and Quindarius Davis Quindarius Davis 5'10" | PG Benton Harbor | 2020 State MI has graduated. It will be interesting which player in this tandem assumes the point guard responsibilities and what that does for their development. If you’re scoring at home that’s three Tigers on this list. Like Muskegon, Benton Harbor doesn’t rebuild they just reload.