Let’s Get Ready IV: Eye Openers

<p>In its fourth year the Let’s Get Ready Showcase in Clio provided an excellent day of basketball. Following are five standouts who caught my attention. Each player I was watching for the first time. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1067862" first="Jeremiah" last="Henderson"] 6-0 2022 Detroit CMA </b>Detroit is out of my coverage area. First time seeing this player after good reports for a while. Quickness is readily apparent. Not just a blur though. As you would expect from a Detroit point guard, shows off toughness by finishing strong under the basket. Good athlete but not the type of point guard who is going to play above the rim. Stood out both in drills and five-on-five. Has deep range on the perimeter with a quick release. Much more than a scorer. Found open players on his drives repeatedly. Should be his show this year as Damon Terrell (Mott CC) has graduated. Poised for a breakout season for the Pharaohs. </p> <p><b>Nicholas Ellis 6-6 2022 Grand Ledge </b>I had viewed teammate and camp participant [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"] many times. First time seeing Ellis and came away extremely impressed. Like Williams this a more of a ground bound old school post. However he possesses a solid thick frame that he uses to set excellent screens. Additionally has excellent footwork that allows him to move well off pick and role action. Has good hands and a soft touch around the basket. I was perhaps most impressed with his competitiveness. On back-to-back possession had his shot blocked by a smaller player. That does not sound good. The smaller player let him know about it rather vociferously (that’s as kind as I can put it) Ellis didn’t flinch put his head down came right back and scored on the next few possessions. Coaches will want to get the entire Grand Ledge program on their radar in next few years. The Comets have a lot of young talent coming up. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="814679" first="Jacob" last="Oswald"] 6-8 Ortonville Brandon </b>The opposite of Ellis and Williams. Oswald is an intriguing modern stretch four/five. Mobile and long with serious bounce in his step. Excelled in the drill portion of the camp. Moves his feet extremely well on defense. Used length to block many of the shots from the army of next level wings present. Competed well all day. During the lunch break stayed out on the court to mostly defend these wings one-on-one. This seemingly minor show of competitiveness stood out to me. Has a little ways to go on the offensive end and that showed in the five-on-five portion. However two bright spots really stood out. Confidently drained a deep three off a pick and pop. Followed that up later by firmly finishing off dish with a strong two hand flush without a gather/power dribble. That speaks to his athletic upside. Should form a nice front court duo with [player_tooltip player_id="814638" first="Cole" last="Pardon"] at a school not known for hardwood success. </p> <p><b>Kyree Haye 6-3 2021 Mount Clemens </b>With the exception of [player_tooltip player_id="811109" first="Keyon" last="Menifield"] this camp was loaded at the wing position. This group consisted of well established prospects that I have already written about this week. Not the case with this player. In my first time viewing him this young man was right there with [player_tooltip player_id="814674" first="Jaylen" last="Hodges"], [player_tooltip player_id="814628" first="Lavell" last="Brodnex"] and company. Solid all around perimeter game. Explosive athlete but also plays composed and under control. Did not back down from anyone and really stated his case that he belongs in the conversation with other top wings in the state. Will have opportunity as well. Mount Clemens standout 2022 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="787651" first="JaVaughn" last="Hannah"] is now at Ypsi Prep Academy. If he can lead the Battling Bathers (what a great mascot) on a deep Class C run, college coaches should take notice. </p> <p><b>Christopher Coleman 6-4 2021 Carrollton </b>Part of a strong Carrollton contingent on the day. Passes the eye test as he has powerfully built athletic frame. Good ball handler who penetrated well. Didn’t always finish around the rim. It should be noted that he did appear to be playing with a leg injury. That could explain the lack of a final finishing step. Showed competitiveness by playing through said injury, but also did not back down from anyone all day. Especially on the defensive end which you like to see. The only forward among the Carrollton bunch. It will be interesting to see where he slots in positionally with the Cavalier lineup as they have a very deep backcourt. </p>