Grassroots Weekend Headturners

<p>There were a lot of Michigan based grassroots teams in action this weekend. Solid performances that drew attention and turned heads went hand in hand with the teams in action. Let’s take a look at some Michigan players that turned heads at grassroots events.</p> <p>* Please keep in mind that this isn’t an ’all-inclusive’ list. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1112374" first="Durral" last="Brooks"] (2024, PG, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, The Family)</strong></p> <p>If Brooks plays like this for most of the spring and summer, his stock will skyrocket nationally. He was aggressive off the bounce, attacking the rim and pressuring the defense. Brooks showed that he could finish at the rim as well as from mid range.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987270" first="Kaden" last="Brown"] (2023, PG, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, DTO Elite 17u)</strong></p> <p>Just like in high school season, Brown was a shot maker. He was fluid and pure from behind the arc, going off for multiple 20 plus point games.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1067868" first="Kenoly" last="Jones"] (2022, PG, Stevenson, Supreme Elite)</strong></p> <p>Jones was turning heads at The Stage. He’s fast up and down the floor and has bounce in his game. Jones can find the rim and finish with body control. He can also score from all 3 levels, showin in his 40 point game in a win over Team Rutledge this weekend. Jones, and this Supreme Elite team as a whole, should get a look from some next level coaches on the Prep Hoops Circuit.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1112297" first="Preston" last="Malpass"] (2024, PF, East Jordan, Kyle Guy Elite 16u)</strong></p> <p>Malpass had a couple really nice games for Kyle Guy Elite at the NY2LA Spring Extravaganza. He scored efficiently, established position under the bucket, and protected the rim on defense.</p> <p><strong>Chris McLavish (2025, PG, Flint Carman-Ainsworth)</strong></p> <p>McLavish was lights out at the Storm Classic. He has in the gym range and can bury a triple with a hand in his face. He scorched the nets all weekend until an injury kept him out of the final game. McLavish might be one of the best pure scorers in the state next high school season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1350325" first="Bryce" last="Radtka"] (2022, PF, Michigan Warriors 17u)</strong></p> <p>I was interested to see if his solid play from the state playoffs continued, and it sure did. He impressed with his scoring ability in the paint, rebounded the ball well, and looked like he continues to improve defensively.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1223485" first="Jake" last="Stephens"] (2024, CG, DV45 2024)</strong></p> <p>Stephens showed some underestimated overall athleticism this weekend at the Prep Hoops Circuit’s ’The Stage’. He can put a defender on his hip as well as stroke the ball from outside. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987635" first="Anthony" last="Sydnor III"] (2023, PG, Muskegon, REACH Legends - Detroit 17's)</strong></p> <p>Sydnor was terrific with REACH Legends - Detroit 17’s. He scored consistently and efficiently as well as looking like he’s improved a ton as a ballhandler in the last year. It looks like Sydnor could be in for a huge spring.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] (2023, PG, Grand Blanc, Nike Meanstreets 17u)</strong></p> <p>His numbers weren’t gaudy at the EYBL Session 1, but his play was still very impressive. I’m so impressed with how comfortable he looks on the floor and how he can control an offense by setting the table with a pass.</p> <p><strong>Darryl Thompkins Jr. (2025, PG, Michigan Collegiate, DTO Elite 15u)</strong></p> <p>Thompkins Jr. made people see him this weekend. He was a prototypical floor leader that scored and dished at a high level, especially in the open floor. Thompkins Jr. was a difference maker on defense as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1112315" first="Donnie" last="Watts III"] (2024, CG, Detroit Renaissance, Great Lakes Warriorz)</strong></p> <p>Watts has as much upside as almost any player in the state and he put it on display this weekend. Coming back from an injury, he looked like his old self, lighting up the scoreboard in a variety of ways.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"] (2023, PF, Kalamazoo Central, Michigan Cagers)</strong></p> <p>Welcome to the "The [player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"] Explosion Part 2". He was basically unstoppable in the state playoffs and apparently he’s going to do it again in grassroots season. Ward can score from all 3 levels and has the potential to be a big time forward prospect given his games diversity and his meteoric rise. The Michigan Cagers have something special brewing.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1111928" first="James" last="Weaver"] (2024, PG, River Rouge, Downriver Badboyz)</strong></p> <p>If a college coach wants a quick twitch floor general that can create for himself and his teammates, I’d advise them to look here at Weaver. He’ll put up scoring numbers on a consistent basis, but just like this weekend at the Spring Extravanganza, his assist numbers will stay high as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985657" first="Sonny" last="Wilson"] (2023, PG, UD Jesuit, The Family)</strong></p> <p>Wilson was huge for The Family. He was the head of the snake on a team that looked VERY good, especially in a win over WhyNot. Wilson was electric with the ball, created space, and shot well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300902" first="Christian" last="Zielinski"] (2023, SF, Homeschooled, REAL 17u)</strong></p> <p>I’m going to say it right now.....Zielinski can be a next level player. I saw him at a Flight Hankamp Open Run and was very impressed. I was equally impressed with his play this weekend. He’s a strong and physical energy player.</p>