Gruntled Workers Day

<p>Don’t be fooled by the title - Gruntled is actually a good thing as opposed to disgruntled. This day was established as a way to look back on all that has gone well or that is good about the work that you do. Gruntled Workers Day is meant to be a day to positively celebrate our jobs. Well, you high school basketball players have a job and work to do in becoming the best basketball players that you can be. Many of you should be celebrating this day, as you have much to be proud of with the work you’re doing during grassroots season. Let’s look at 5 players that should be celebrating Gruntled Workers Day. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987273" first="John" last="Blackwell"] (2023, CG, The Family, Brother Rice)</strong></p> <p>He’s come so far from his freshman season. Blackwell has always had elite upside, but he has turned it from potential to a very real thing. He’s gone from a shooting guard that COULD play point someday, to a combo guard, to a guy that looks like he can play the lead guard spot at a high major like Wisconsin. Blackwell should be very happy with the work he’s done on Gruntled Workers Day.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1223517" first="Layne" last="Risdon"] (2024, C, West Michigan Lakers Blast 2024, Zeeland East)</strong></p> <p>Risdon’s work has been obvious. He’s no longer an intriguing post player, but now a legitimate talent that will play college basketball at a high level someday. Risdon has worked to catch his offense up to his elite rim protecting defense. You can see that work paying dividends as his post footwork has improved as well as his touch and strength in going up for put back buckets in traffic.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1431572" first="Tamir" last="Runinkevich"] (2023, SG, Top 1 Performance Basketball 2023, Berkley)</strong></p> <p>Runinkevich was just written about yesterday for his stellar performance at Prep Hoops Live Atlanta. But this isn’t a new thing, but more an example of what he’s been doing throughout grassroots season. He’s been an elite scorer and could be one of the biggest risers at the next rankings update. Runinkevich has a lot to be proud of on Gruntled Workers Day.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1411857" first="Omar" last="Suleiman"] (2023, SF, Top 1 Performance Basketball 2023, Canton)</strong></p> <p>With the way he’s been playing, Suleiman should be celebrating his work. He’ll be another fast riser at the next rankings update. He has a nice physical profile with length that helps him on both ends. The offers have started to roll in and that will continue as programs see his defensive versatility and his diverse skill set.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300920" first="Carson" last="Vis"] (2025, CG, Grand Rapids Storm 2025 UA Rise, Grand Rapids South Christian)</strong></p> <p>Vis has established himself as one of the top all around scorers in the class of 2025. Few and very far between have been the games during the spring and summer that he didn’t set the tone offensively. He’s a terrific shooter with range beyond the arc. Vis has terrific focus and balance on his jumper which helps him shoot over top of a defender as well as with a hand in his face.</p>