Let’s Get Ready IV: The Fab Five

Jonathon Gilbert November 3, 2020 @ 11:46 PM

In its fourth year the Let’s Get Ready Showcase in Clio served up an excellent day of competitive above the rim basketball. I would encourage you to read Scott Hankamp’s coverage of the MOP and honorable mention awards because they deserved it. [player_tooltip player_id="814573" first="Aidan" last="Rubio"] and [player_tooltip player_id="811109" first="Keyon" last="Menifield"] put on a show. I’m going to focus on the “home” team. A group of five players who didn’t have to travel far for the event and played very well. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="814674" first="Jaylen" last="Hodges"] 6-4 2021 Bridegdport In my opinion one of the most underrated seniors in the entire state. Did nothing on Sunday to dissuade me of this notion. A mixture of high flying explosions to the rim and the ability to stick shots from behind the arc. Showed his defensive chops with two huge blocked shots against much bigger players. Highly competitive, has not lost a lot in his high school career. It shows in his body language. Favored to go the Breslin Center last year at the the time of cancellation. If he could have followed that up with a full grassroots season, I have a feeling a lot more people would be talking about him. Big time prospect 2. [player_tooltip player_id="814628" first="Lavell" last="Brodnex"] 6-5 2021 Saginaw Similar skill set to Hodges, but in a bigger package. Powerfully built with broad shoulders. But just as explosive and finished well above the rim with ease. It was good to see the expansion in his game as he showed the ability to handle the ball and initiate offense. Didn’t have to do much of that last year as the Trojans featured the dynamic backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="531733" first="Freddie" last="McIntosh"] (Saginaw Valley St) and [player_tooltip player_id="796079" first="Sir’Real" last="Smith"] (Mott CC) Brodnex should be the focal point of the offense this year. A big senior season and a deep Class B (that’s right Class B now) run could rocket Brodnex up recruiting boards. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="863939" first="Derrick" last="Voltz"] 6-3 2022 Carrollton The first two prospects were quite similar. While Voltz is a dynamic wing prospect, he’s slightly different than Hodges and Brodnex. While not quite as athletic, Voltz is a little more refined. He sees the court very well and plays with his head up. A very effective scorer, he already has the ball skills to slide over to the point guard position when needed. Showed off distribution ability throughout the day. However when his team needed a bucket, he out dueled [player_tooltip player_id="811109" first="Keyon" last="Menifield"] to hit the game winning basket in the last contest of the day. Has a nice athletic frame and plenty of speed. Also has deep range on the perimeter. As a 2022 the future is very bright for this prospect. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="983529" first="Markel" last="Martin"] 6-2 2022 Carrollton Voltz backcourt teammate really caught my eye on Sunday. Long and extremely lanky frame makes this prospect seem taller than his listed height. Very active with quick hands. This allowed him to get into passing lanes and snare multiple steals throughout the day. Good acceleration in the open court and a creative finisher around the rim. Helps that he is left handed. Hit a few shots from the perimeter including a nice step back. Release was a little unorthodox but it fell. Should form a nice duo with [player_tooltip player_id="863939" first="Derrick" last="Voltz"] in the next two years. However the competition should be fierce as the Cavaliers also featured a trio of Duriel Mask (2021), Christopher Coleman (2021– more of a forward) and Javont’e Jones (2021). They all played well on Sunday. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="980065" first="Ryan" last="Brenner"] 6-2 2021 Frankenmuth Excellent prospect who doesn’t pass the initial eye test. Usually when that descriptor is applied it means the prospect looks like an underwhelming athlete. Not the case here. This young man looks like next level football player. If you were fortunate enough to catch Max Bullough’s brief high school basketball career at Traverse City St Francis you should have an idea of what I’m talking about. Huge upper body with broad shoulders and long arms. Not some brute masquerading as a basketball player. Has good ball skills and appears to have a lot of winning intangibles. Positional fit will be the key in moving on to the next level. Not the tallest prospect but has the leaping ability to contest and make plays at the rim. Type of small college prospect that could make a coach very happy.