UAA Finals: Michigan Notebook

The Under Armour finals in Chicago did not feature many Michigan teams. Only two to be a exact but they represented the Mitten well and left me with five distinct observations   [player_tooltip player_id=’987270’ first=’Kaden’ last=’Brown’] is a specIal player   Fresh off of an electric performance in his hometown with a hometown put together team. Brown returned to a national circuit with DTO Elite. Doesn’t matter who he is playing with. He is simply going to fill it up. You’ve heard players being described in constant motion off the ball. Brown is in constant motion on the ball. It doesn’t stick in his hands long. He’s either going hard to the cup, it’s going to a teammate, or it’s going up. Is a very good shooter with a trigger quick release. Type of player who might thrive at the next level due to increased spacing. Speaking of the next level. Brown recently announced that he will be attending Wright St. I think that is a good fit for him and Raiders are getting a good one.   [player_tooltip player_id=’985667’ first=’Wyatt’ last=’Nausadis’] can play anywhere   Northern Michigan is known for a lot of things. Golf courses, skiing, and picturesque scenery among them. It’s a great place to live (trust me) But it’s not known for producing an abundance of next level basketball players. Nausadis continued to show this weekend that his game travels well and belongs in any region. Nausadis used his athletic and sturdy 6-4 frame to get to the basket at will on Thursday and Friday. Has a good first step and explosion to the rim. Creative finisher with both hands. Keeps defenses honest with deep range on the perimeter. Competes hard defensively and has a lot of untapped potential at that end. Has to do a lot during regular season playing at a small parochial school. It was nice to see him primarily at the two spot this weekend. I think that will be position at the next level. Already holds a Division 2 offer from Grand Valley St. Wherever he ends up. Nausadis should represent the “231” well.   [player_tooltip player_id=’1300920’ first=’Carson’ last=’Vis’] is ready   Get out the thesaurus for this one. I think I’m going to run out adjectives in the next three years covering this prospect. Stepping into the wing position for injured [player_tooltip player_id=’1213127’ first=’Javion’ last=’Otten’]. Vis was more than up for the challenge. About that challenge. How about playing up not one…. but two age divisions at the national championships of a major shoe circuit… Just another day at the office for Vis. Continued to show a mature and composed perimeter game. Isn’t going to get sped up. Even on a stage like this. I have seen him play many times this summer. I have no idea whether he is right or left handed. He is simply that adept with both hands. Long strides combined with a tight handle make him primarily a driver at this point of his development. But he is an excellent shooter who can drop a 25 footer on you if you sag. [player_tooltip player_id=’1437536’ first=’Trey’ last=’McKenney’] has got the top spot in the 2025 class locked up by a pretty good margin. But if there are even a few players better than or at Vis’ caliber than its going to be a fun few years in the Mitten. Special player who could the best Sailor since Mr. Basketball David Kool (Western Michigan).   [player_tooltip player_id=’986245’ first=’Triston’ last=’Nichols’] continues his impressive year   It’s a time honored scouting cliche to call a player a “winner”. With Nichols is not a throw away line. It’s simply the truth. Has the hardware to prove it. After earning a gridiron state title as a wide receiver. Nichols played an integral and clutch role in the Pilots hardwood banner. Scores in a wide variety of ways. At 6-2 with a sturdy build is kind of a positionless player. Skilled and unselfish enough to play point. But if you need a bucket. He can use his frame to bury a defender in the post as well. When you add in deep shooting ability. Nichols is arguably a three level scorer. Half jokingly, half seriously. Knowing how the MHSAA calendar bleeds seasons together. Can someone just give this young man a break? Has been playing high level championship sports for nearly a straight year.   [player_tooltip player_id=’1352909’ first=’Jotham’ last=’Nweke’] is under the radar   The Detroit Catholic League is unquestionably the deepest league in the state (see above) While the big boys in the central division are going to get most of the attention. Nweke is an explosive leaper with long arms. These combined features make him a big time threat at the rim. I was impressed with how he operated in the pick and roll with [player_tooltip player_id=’987270’ first=’Kaden’ last=’Brown’]. Accelerates quickly off his rolls. Showed good hands and gets the ball up quickly. Easily plays well above the rim. This wasn’t just a fluky one off performance. I was also impressed with his play in the spring at the prestigious Run N Slam tourney in Fort Wayne. I’m intrigued to see what his senior year will hold.

The Under Armour finals in Chicago did not feature many Michigan teams. Only two to be a exact but they represented the Mitten well and left me with five distinct observations