Season Preview: Top 5 Frontlines

As we approach the beginning of the 2021-2022 basketball season Part two of my season preview moves onto identifying the top five front courts in the state. After having a difficult time choosing the five top backcourts. The dearth of big men in state becomes readily apparent. That is not to say that Michigan is absent good post players. It is just to say finding a unit of multiple solid post is a more difficult task than finding a good group of guards. That is probably more of a commentary on 21st century pace and space basketball as well. Some recent transfers also depleted some units I was planning on including. * With more late transfers than I can remember this info current to the best of my knowledge *All players are seniors (2022) unless noted <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/115-Josh-Ross.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301249" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/115-Josh-Ross-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/147-Andrew-Moss.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301277" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/147-Andrew-Moss-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> 1. Detroit Catholic Central The overall depth of this group headed up by a Division 1 recruit gives this unit the nod. Oakland commit [player_tooltip player_id="863948" first="Cooper" last="Craggs"] is the headliner. The 6-8 old school big man tested himself this summer on the EYBL with The Family. He is a hard working post who has made great strides in improving his athleticism in the past two years. While Craggs is close to a finished product. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1115332" first="TJ" last="Nadeau"] might have the most long term upside. Nadeau is another old school post in the mold of Craggs. Despite his thick frame and broad shoulders he has the athleticism to make plays out in the open court. Also skilled enough to stretch his game out on the perimeter. Depth comes in the form of the rhyming duo of Ross and Moss. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1130666" first="Josh" last="Ross"] (pictured at left) is a 6-5 versatile big coming a good showing at the Mitten Recruit Showcase. At 6-7 [player_tooltip player_id="1213497" first="Andrew" last="Moss"] (pictured at right) provides experience and played with the Legacy AAU squad this summer. That is a lot of big skilled bodies for a program with a bright future. 2. Muskegon With the exception of Deyonta Davis the Big Red Machine has been a dynasty that mostly pumps out guards. While they still have plenty of good guards. The also have one of the top froncourts in the state. They are led by recent Saginaw Valley St commit [player_tooltip player_id="1211149" first="Ethan" last="Hill"]. The 6-8 senior is extremely long and skinny. This length makes him an excellent shot blocker. But it’s not just the physical attributes. Is well schooled and plays in a aggressive system that feeds into his strengths. Coming along offensively and becoming more assertive every year. Slender frame will not be exposed as much due to the presence of 2024 6-6 big [player_tooltip player_id="1112301" first="TJ" last="Davis"]. Davis is thick framed but mobile. I think he is capable of making a big jump developmentally in the coming year. Maurice Sain Jr is a 6-6 forward who is very important due to his ability to play multiple positions. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Nick-Ellis.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1197043" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Nick-Ellis-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 3. Grand Ledge The Comets have a solid two man unit whose games are very complementary of each other. [player_tooltip player_id="1068135" first="Nick" last="Ellis"] (pictured) has taken a huge leap in development in the past year. Has evolved into an athletic and bouncy 6-7 big capable of finishing well above the rim. Showed this off repeatedly in a big summer with DV45. [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"](pictured at top of article) is a very good but different player. Williams (6-6) is a wide bodied and mobile player who is also very skilled. He is not as explosive as Ellis but is good passer with a very soft touch. The 2023 prospect tested himself on the national level with the Grand Rapids Storm on the Under Armour Circuit. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Tyler-DeGroote.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1066729" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Tyler-DeGroote-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> 4. Schoolcraft It is rare that a Division 3 team has the size to be considered a top frontline across all classes. But this group is simply that big and that good. [player_tooltip player_id="863986" first="Tyler" last="DeGroote"] (pictured) flies a little under the radar as he played with a good Tipping Point AAU squad that featured a lot of Indiana players. DeGroote (6-7) came alive last March in leading the Eagles to a state semi final appearance. He has an excellent outside shot but is also athletic enough to easily make plays at or above the rim. His partner in the twin tower attack is fellow 6-7 big [player_tooltip player_id="863980" first="Ty" last="Ryske"]. While Ryske might not be the overall athlete that DeGroote is. That is not a demerit. I would say he still in the upper percentile state wide. Ryske had a good summer playing across the midwest with United Persuit on the Prep Hoops Circuit. 2023 Malachi Sampley is a 6-4 prospect with bulk who will provide some depth. 5. White Lake Lakeland A little bit of sleeper here. But this placement speaks to the long term potential of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1076030" first="Andrew" last="Turnquist"]. 6-8 with a thick, sturdy, but mobile frame. Turnquist has a soft touch around the basket and can stretch his range out on the perimeter. Not a top shelf athlete yet but makes up for it with light and fluid footwork. I use the qualifier “yet” as Turnquist is still a 2023 prospect. Developing at a rapid pace. I could see the overall agility improve quite a bit in the coming year. He was very impressive against a talented group of players at the Northwood Elite Camp in August. It’s been a while since I’ve caught [player_tooltip player_id="1067872" first="Caleb" last="Zurek"] in person. But when I caught him a summer ago. I noted a skilled and tough 6-5 competitor who should complement Turnquist well. This group could really sneak up on some people.