OK Conference Top 50 (20-11)

<p>After breaking down the top 50-41, 40-31, and 30-21 players from the OK Conference, arguably the hardest part of this list comes into play, which is ranking players just outside the top 10. This next group of athletes are on the verge of becoming stars for their high school programs, and household names in the area. </p> <h5>20. [player_tooltip player_id="814680" first="Austin" last="Van Elst"], 6’7" F, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 2021"</h5> <p>Austin is a fluid and lanky prospect whose in the early stages of tapping into his potential. Austin is most impactful when he catches the ball in the high post. His ability to put his back to the basket and back his man down and convert high percentage shots with a number of quality post moves is a staple of his game. He’s also a great passer from this spot on the floor, showing the ability to scan the defense and find open shooters on the wings. Austin has also flashed a nice shooting touch from the mid-range extending to the perimeter, giving a glimpse of what he can be at the next level.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13984750/5e47a262e97adf0868712037" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>19. [player_tooltip player_id="811113" first="Ryan" last="Grantham"], 6’4" G, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 2021"</h5> <p>Ryan is a prospect who would have already had a larger role if not for the luxury of talent that Grand Rapids Catholic Central has. Ryan’s a bouncy wing that can get up and go with the best athletes the area has to offer. He’s a threat to score from deep, can attack the basket off a dribble drive, and has a smooth pull-up game. His length is a big advantage defensively, showing he can alter passing lanes and discourage opponents from taking shots.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9Sh7e_Ijit4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>18. [player_tooltip player_id="1051075" first="Donovan" last="Brown-Boyd"], 6’4" F, Grand Rapids Christian, 2021"</h5> <p>Tough, physical, high-energy, playmaker are a few words that I’d use to describe [player_tooltip player_id="1051075" first="Donovan" last="Brown-Boyd"]. He does so many things well that its hard to point to one specific area that he’s best at. He’s one of the most underrated players in the state in my opinion, due somewhat to the abundance of weapons that Grand Rapids Christian has. Donovan is one of the best athletes in the area, which is evident in transition situations. He’s also a plus ball handler with a good looking stroke from deep, adding several dimensions to his game. Defensively, he can match up with opposing teams best players, showing furthermore how valuable he is.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14051149/5f109efd0660a50c54405aa0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h5>17. [player_tooltip player_id="611462" first="Carson" last="Gulker"], 6’3" G, Zeeland West, 2021"</h5> <p>Carson is one of the most developed all-around offensive talents in West Michigan. His ability to get a bucket in so many different ways is what makes him so hard to defend. Carson can use his strength in the post to get a high percentage look, he can knock down perimeter jumpers with regularity, and he can create his own shot in isolation sets. His passing ability might be his most polished asset, which should be a given seeing he’ll play quarterback at Ferris State University after graduation.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10572235/5e68e841e985871884c5b16c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>16. [player_tooltip player_id="811106" first="Colin" last="Weber"], 6’4" G/F, Hopkins, 2021"</h5> <p>Colin is a crafty lefty who uses his frame effectively to score in a variety of ways. His shot creation stands out the most as he can go to work against smaller defenders in the post, and he can step out beyond the perimeter and knock down threes. His game is as polished as I’ve seen from kids in the 2021" class from the OK Conference, which is attributed in large part to his ball handling, in-game IQ, and overall playmaking ability. Colin is also a great rebounder and defender in the post, qualities that translate to the football field, where Colin will be a tight end at Division 1 University of North Carolina at Charlotte next year.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9827305/5ec2a8c9e97bbe0c2481d2c8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>15. [player_tooltip player_id="814561" first="Zac" last="Velthouse"], 6’3" G, Unity Christian, 2021"</h5> <p>Zac is one of the more well-known commodities in the area, having played for Unity’s State Championship team in 2018 as a sophomore. Now in his senior year, Zac will be looked upon to be the main contributor for what figures to be another solid Crusader team. Zac is one of the more prolific scorers in the area, and can do it at all three levels. He has a nice shot from the perimeter, can score off the bounce, and uses his physicality to his advantage in post touches. He’s also a plus passer and does a great job of setting up his teammates with quality looks.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10453455/5e7519dee985870d2cbdbb4b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h5>14. [player_tooltip player_id="814591" first="Gabe" last="Quillian"], 6’9" F, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2021"</h5> <p>Gabe is a physical big that moves well to put himself in quality scoring opportunities. He has good footwork and can score consistently with his back to the basket in the post. He’s one of the premier rebounders in the area, which I attribute not only to his size but to the motor that he plays with. Committed to Hope College, the Dutch are getting a productive big that should continue to develop and expand his offensive repertoire. </p> <p>[embed]https://twitter.com/QuillanGabe/status/1277773733487312897[/embed]</p> <h5>13. [player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"], 6’0" G, Forest Hills Northern, 2021"</h5> <p>Trinidad is one of the areas best guards who I’d label as a pure gamer. He seems to have his best games against the highest competition and the type of player that wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Trinidad has a great shot from deep, can score with regularity in the midrange, and does a great job of using his body to draw contact when he drives the lane. Forest Hills Northern should be one of the top five teams in the area this season spearheaded by a top five point guard in the OK Conference.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8076973/5e9f738234538f135cb3e6a0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <h5>12. [player_tooltip player_id="902884" first="Jakhary" last="Towns"], 6’1" G, Godwin Heights, 2023"</h5> <p>When I first saw Jakhary live last season, I was shocked that he was a freshman. He plays with arguably more confidence than any player in the area and for good reason. He’s a bonafide bucket who can fill it up from just about anywhere on the court. His shot is pure and his ball handling isn’t far behind. As he develops physically, I’d expect his offensive game to evolve in a number of ways. He’s shown he can put the ball on the floor and create shots for himself and his teammates, which is something that will continue to give opposing teams fits as he continues to develop physically. </p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13950353/5e76d2c2d45ff0137c702b5a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>11. Micheal Reed, 6’8" F, Muskegon 2021"</h5> <p>Micheal plays with the most energy of any big in the area, in my opinion. He’s a high-level athlete who finishes above the rim, often times over someone. His motor never appears to turn off on either side of the court. In addition to his scoring ability, Michael is a great rebounder who anticipates and high points the ball off misses. The future Northern Michigan Wildcat is just tapping his potential and should blossom into one of the premier big men to come out of Muskegon.</p> <p><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14124107/5e90963602b21105c09028aa" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>