Season Preview: Top Five Frontcourts

The second installment of 2020-2021 preview will focus on the big guys. These units are not as deep as the backcourts recently covered. Further complicating matters in the fact that the dual uncertainties of a delayed season start and the prevalence of football recruits keep frontcourt lineups in flux. With early enrollees and possible transfers, I’ve tried to stay as current as possible. *all prospects are seniors unless noted 1. Detroit Fredrick Douglass When you pair a Big 10 recruit with 6-10 Division 1 prospect that is a pretty tough tandem to top. While [player_tooltip player_id="811091" first="Pierre" last="Brooks"] projects more as three at the next level his powerful stocky frame makes him a definite frontcourt matchup nightmare. When you factor in the Hurricanes drop to the Division 4 classification I am slotting Brooks in as power forward. True centers are hard to find in the modern game. [player_tooltip player_id="811104" first="Javantae" last="Randle"] is a mobile and skilled true center. He performed very well at the Bank Hoops All State Camp in Mount Pleasant and looks primed for a big senior year. The unit will also feature 2022 6-7 Franklin Ezeoke. 2. Zeeland East- The Chix are led by a set of twin— no literally twin towers. [player_tooltip player_id="927600" first="Nathan" last="Claerbaut"] is the taller of the two at an imposing 6-11. Skilled and very mobile for his size. Also displays a soft touch from the perimeter and around the basket. The only thing really missing is bulk. [player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"] is a classic stretch four. Like his brother could use a little more meat on his 6-6 frame. They have committed to continue their careers together at the next level with Ferris St. Big time get for the Bulldogs. While this isn’t the deepest bunch they have some excellent athletes that can bang down low if neeed. [player_tooltip player_id="611440" first="Trip" last="Riemersma"] holds a GLIAC offer and Ethan Houghtaling is a next level 6-2 athlete who will play baseball at Western Michigan. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/157_Max-BurtonPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061927" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/157_Max-BurtonPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 3. Williamston- Deep and talented bunch has played a lot basketball together and on the grassroots scene. [player_tooltip player_id="811112" first="Brandon" last="Hunt"] (pictured at beginning of article) is a bouncy 6-8 athlete who will be playing at NAIA power Bethel next year. He doesn’t have to play the five due to the presence of 6-5 athlete Cade Conley. Conley who will play football at Central Michigan next fall is skilled and not afraid of contact. While his future is on the perimeter 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] (pictured above) is a nice luxury to have. At 6-9 he is more than capable of taking his versatile game down low if he needed. Further depth comes from Rudy Gaytan Jr. Like Conley Gaytan’s future is probably on the gridiron, but knows how to play and will not back down from taller opponents. 4. Muskegon- Led by Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="811125" first="Michael" last="Reed"] this is a strength in numbers group. Reed is a little raw but has an excellent frame and plenty of room to grow. The four should be manned by 6-4 Kayden Smith. Both have waited their turns in this program and are ready to take on a bigger role. Then comes the youth brigade led by 6-8 2022 Ethan Hill. Super long, Hill is coming off a good summer UTS Elite. Further help will come from 6-4 athletes 2022 Maurice Sain Jr and 2024 Stanley Cunningham. With the Big Reds you always have to account for an athlete who stumbles over from the weight room with the vaunted football program. Like departed bigs Billie Roberts and Jordan Porter who have both moved onto Bowling Green. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/AA8A11D0-7EDD-4DB2-AE16-ED4AB05DDDFA.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1041256" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/AA8A11D0-7EDD-4DB2-AE16-ED4AB05DDDFA-300x247.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="247" /></a> 5. Ludington- Staying on the lakeshore and going a little off the grid for this one. This unit is led by 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="983502" first="Peyton" last="LaCombe"]. (pictured above) This versatile and long prospect defends extremely well and runs the court like a deer. He began to show an expansion of of his offensive game in a very truncated summer with the Grand Rapids Storm. A little lean but that is not an issue with the presence Jake Plamondon. The bulky 6-5 Ferris St football commit does the dirty work down low. Don’t let first appearances fool you, is skilled and mobile. Depth is provided in the form 6-3 athletes Levi Laman and Brad Meyser. Laman has good bloodlines and earned time as a freshman. Meyser can bang down while also having range on the perimeter. Honorable Mention Schoolcraft- Huge unit led by 6-7 [player_tooltip player_id="814569" first="Bryce" last="Vanderwiere"] and 6-6 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863980" first="Ty" last="Ryske"]. Size keeps coming in waves with 6-7 2022 Tyler DeGroote, and that’s not all. Traverse City Central- Football frontline with Carson Briggs (Western Michigan) and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="814684" first="Joshua" last="Burnham"] (multiple BCS offers). Tyler McCoon should contribute as well. Flint Carman-Ainsworth- The Cavs have lost a lot to graduation and transfer. But they still have the duo of 6-6 Patrick Hollis and 2022 Isaiah Jones who plays much bigger than his listed height of 6-3.