PH Freshmen Expo: Fab Five
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In its first iteration the Prep Hoops Freshmen Expo was a unequivocal success. Almost 90 of the top Freshmen displayed the future of Michigan High School Basketball. Following are five players that stood out to this particular scout. Cameron Ryans…
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In its first iteration the Prep Hoops Freshmen Expo was a unequivocal success. Almost 90 of the top Freshmen displayed the future of Michigan High School Basketball.
Following are five players that stood out to this particular scout.
Cameron Ryans Cameron Ryans 6'4" | SG Northview | 2026 State MI 6-4 Grand Rapids Northview As is the nature of a freshmen showcase. For most of these players. This is the first time I have viewed them. Not the case with Ryans. That skews things a bit. However in a positive way. The talent and physical skills are obvious. However I wondered how he would fill out physically in the long term. The younger brother of 2024 blue chip recruit EJ Ryans EJ Ryans 6'4" | SG Northview | 2024 State #224 Nation MI . He is the polar opposite in terms of body type. Where EJ is long and lean. Cameron is stocky and physically powerful. Young players can develop quickly. In just a few short months Ryans already appears to have thinned out bit. While also looking more explosive than he did just a few short months ago. With his physical profile he is already a positionless basketball player. Strong enough to play and even dominate on the block. But skilled enough to play the point. Got off to a slow start on Sunday. But showed resilience and eventually started dominating his contests. Numerous times simply grabbed rebounds and went coast to coast for easy buckets. Simply was too much athletically for most of the players in the camp. Going forward the key will be continuing to show skill level growth. As players will most likely begin to catch up physically. Has potential to be a special player.
Braylon Frantz Braylon Frantz 6'1" | PG St. Clair | 2026 State MI 6-1 St Clair (pictured) First time viewing this prospect and came away extremely impressed. Nothing about his game says Freshman. Plays with a extreme level of balance and maturity. Isn’t going to get sped up and plays with his head up. Not a blur or “water bug” type point guard prospect. Has a sturdy frame with broad shoulders. But not a “bully ball” prospect either. Has plenty of speed and athletic burst. Penetrates well and finishes at the rim with no fear. Did it in equal measure to both the left and right. Showed a smooth and easy release from beyond the arc as well. Also showed grit by playing through an injury. Was still going strong at the end of the day despite a tweaked ankle. Really not many holes in his game. Had success playing for a loaded REACH unit in the grassroots season.
Drew Wilson Drew Wilson 6'1" | PG Bloomfield Hills Mi | 2026 State MI 6-1 Bloomfield Hills The metro Detroit version of Frantz. Similarly played with an extreme level of balance and maturity. Uses a tight handle to get his spots on the perimeter. Once there rises easily above defenders with nice elevation. Absorbs contact on drives with his well developed upper body. Creative finisher around the basket. Unselfish player who most likely could have scored more on the day if he wanted. Like everyone on this list. Physical growth and positional placement are going to to key to his development. Presently he is an advanced backcourt prospect. Capable of playing both the 1 and 2 positions. That’s a pretty good place to start.
Noah Arnold Noah Arnold 6'7" | PF Heritage | 2026 State MI 6-6 Saginaw Heritage One of the biggest players in the camp. And more importantly played like it. Didn’t spend too much time floating on the perimeter. Was not afraid of contact and was aggressive all day. Lanky athlete whom ran the court fluidly. Explosive and played easily above the rim. Had a few impressive blocks. Earned then with his aforementioned aggressive play. Will need to play with a better level verticality to avoid foul trouble at the high school level. Has the length to do it. Like Frantz showed some grit by playing through an injury. Had a nice dunk out in transition to end the day. Bigs always develop at a slower pace than their backcourt counterparts. Arnold has a ways to go. But a lot of tantalizing skills to work with already.
Jacob Pleyer 6-1 Watervilet Like Ryans, not my first time catching this prospect. Pleyer has been very active is grassroots basketball. Has good size and already has the skill set to be a true point guard. That was what impressed me most on Sunday. Seemed intentional about getting his teammates involved. Good look ahead passing got his squad out in transition often. Competed hard defensively and even had a few nice blocks. Has no problem scoring. Has the size and fundamentals to create space on the perimeter to easily shoot over defenders. Will need to add strength. But has intriguing long term potential.