Making A Statement At The Top 250

<p>We always hear players talking about "sending a message" or "making a statement" when they play in showcase events like the Prep Hoops Michigan Top 250. There were a lot of players that did just that on Sunday in Grand Rapids. Here’s a look at some of those athletes.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300887" first="Byron" last="Brooks"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/137-Byron-Brooks.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301269" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/137-Byron-Brooks-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Brooks is one of the most improved players in the state from spring to fall. He has strength and versatility to guide a rapidly developing game. Brooks could be on the verge of a breakout season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986746" first="Leo" last="Kent"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/111-Leo-Kent.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301246" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/111-Leo-Kent-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>He’s always had lot of the pieces of a high upside prospect, but he was just different in his overall athleticism on Sunday. Kent displayed the ability to play above, and finish above, the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1224147" first="Gerrard" last="McCoy"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/139-Gerrard-McCoy.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301271" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/139-Gerrard-McCoy-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>McCoy has a lot of athleticism and basketball IQ that he uses in his game. At the Top 250, he came out and let everyone know that he’s a grinder and really physically tough.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1111925" first="Anthony" last="Ribel"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/45-Anthony-Ribel.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301185" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/45-Anthony-Ribel-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Ribel is coming off a huge grassroots summer season. A lot of people were tuned in to see if it would continue, and he didn’t disappoint. Ribel let everyone know that he isn’t going anywhere and will be a force this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1130940" first="Micah" last="Saunders"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/27-Micah-Saunders.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301166" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/27-Micah-Saunders-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Saunders is like lightning in a bottle. He’s so fast up the floor and plays some very athletic defense. He could cause some serious issues for opponents on both ends this high school season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863960" first="Trucel" last="Singleton"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/26-Trucel-Singleton.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301164" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/26-Trucel-Singleton-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Singleton was one of the more dynamic players at the event. He was so dangerous with the ball and it felt like he could make something out of nothing every time that he touched it. Singleton did a great job breaking down defenders and penetrating the lane.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1226672" first="Jake" last="Slezinger"] </strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/53-Jake-Slezinger.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301192" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/53-Jake-Slezinger-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Slezinger has been playing very solid basketball lately and he showed that at the Top 250. He looks like he’s ready to peak at the exact right time for high school season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1111918" first="Daniel" last="Smythe"] </strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/49-Daniel-Smythe.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301188" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/49-Daniel-Smythe-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Smythe has always had a reputation as a lights out shooter. I was watching for something different, to see if he’d expanded his game. Smythe certainly has. He’s an improved ball handler and his basketball IQ and comfort on the court looks outstanding.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1130945" first="Grant" last="Stockford"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/102-Grant-Stockford.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301240" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/102-Grant-Stockford-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Stockford is very underestimated as an overall athlete. His leg strength helps him rise up and play vertically. He’s also very fast, allowing him to be effective in transition. If you play Clinton this season, you’re going to have to game plan around Stockford.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/8-Brady-Titus.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301148" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/8-Brady-Titus-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Titus makes a statement EVERY year at the Top 250. He once again showed that he’s a D1 talent. Wherever Titus ends up at the next level, he’s going to be an absolute steal.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300903" first="Jajuan" last="Walker"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/28-Jajuan-Walker.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301167" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/28-Jajuan-Walker-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I wish I knew what they were feeding them in Benton Harbor. EVERY SINGLE YEAR, Benton Harbor sends top end talent to the Top 250. Walker helped continue that trend this year. He’s a speedy guard that can play on or off the ball.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/150-Hutch-Ward.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301280" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/150-Hutch-Ward-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I kept seeing double-double’s in his stat lines during high school season, so I was very intrigued when I watched him play. What stood out to me was how smooth and pure his jumper was looking. If he can shoot like that during high school season, he’s going to be a big problem.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>