Bank Hoops All State Camp: Stars Come Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In its 18th year the Bank Hoops camp provided its standard star studded lineup. Following are eight standouts from Sunday's event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of 2023 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987644' first='Tyran' last='Thomas'] 6-3 Grand Rapids Northview</strong> <strong>(pictured) </strong>They say familiarity can breed contempt. Now entering senior season. That is not the case with this versatile prospect. Thomas is effective both inside and out. In the regular season has played in the post through much of his career out of necessity. While quite skinny. His long frame and tenacity have made him effective and a matchup nightmare on the block. However in showcase settings Thomas shows his immense upside in the open court. Explodes and finishes at the rim with ease. Showed improved ball handling and playmaking ability. With <strong>Kyler</strong> <strong>Vanderjagt</strong> moving onto Belmont. Thomas could be ready for a true breakout in his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213117' first='Parker' last='Swartz'] 6-6 Grand Rapids Northview </strong> Helping Thomas and the Wildcats reload will be this recent transfer. Swartz comes from Mona Shores. What he brings in is one of the more mature scoring wing arsenals you will find. Plays at his own pace and doesn't get sped up. Note— that doesn't mean he's slow. Has plenty of athletic burst. Showed it with a few dunks in the open court. But the half court is where he shines. His height and array of footwork allows him to easily get his shot off. Has a smooth and easy release. Soft touch that extends from the mid range to beyond the arc. Coming off a good summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2077019' first='MBA' last='']. Could have a big senior year if he adjusts quickly to a new system </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1476096' first='Aidyn' last='Boone'] 6-6 Libertyville (IL) </strong> The only out of state player in the camp. However far from my first time seeing this prospect. The Chicago area player ran with a [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] squad that was one of the better teams on the Prep Hoops Circuit. In that stacked lineup. More of a winning/intangibles type of player. On Sunday got to show off his skill set. Has a bulky build but moves well for his size. While he has an unorthodox release. Showed a soft touch from the perimeter. However he is a post all the way and plays like it. Not afraid of contact. Establishes deep post position with ease. Good athlete but you would like to see a little more elevation at the rim. Broad shoulders and sets excellent picks. Good foot speed allows him to guard multiple positions. Will probably never be a big box score tabulator. But could definitely be a “glue guy”type player at the small college level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300899' first='Terrance' last='Jones'] 6-2 Kalamazoo Central </strong> The last two seniors on this list will be brief. As I also highlighted them after the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. Jones continued to show traits you do not see often anymore. A pass first point guard with excellent size. Plays with good strength. Got to his spots with will and tenacity. Showed a bit more of a scoring touch on Sunday. An undervalued recruit who could break out in his senior season. Will form a dynamic duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1077679' first='Hutch' last='Ward'] who was in attendance (cheering/not playing) on Sunday as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587825' first='Donovan' last='Thames'] 5-11 Grand Rapids Christian </strong> Thames is almost the polar opposite of Jones. A lead guard whose next level trait is near elite athleticism. Continued to show that on Sunday. Able to play well above the rim at 5-11. Excelled in the open court. Explodes to the basket and doesn't need much room for take off. Played well in pick and roll situations and knows what to do when a defender gets on his hip. Penetrates with purpose. Left handed but can also go the right when forced that way. 2024's [player_tooltip player_id='1223497' first='Nathan' last='Johnson'] (6-5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1223513' first='Jaylan' last='Ouwinga'] (6-9) made a lot of noise on the EYBL circuit this summer. Thames could be the floor general of a mini Eagle resurgence in his senior campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of 2024 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans'] 6-3 Grand Rapids Northview </strong> Highest ranked player in the field and lived up to the billing. Is a unique prospect due to his size and skill set. Like Jones (see above) a true pass first point guard. But what sets him apart is his size. Listed at 6-3. But with his lanky build. You could argue he plays in the 6-4 to 6-6 range. Uses said length well. Long strider who covers a lot space on the court. Sees over defenses easily which aids in ball distribution. Like his new teammate Swartz. Plays with excellent pace and never seems to be in a hurry. Has been appropriately deferential early in his career. Will be interesting to see if he steps into a more assertive role in his junior and senior seasons. Can be a special long term prospect at the highest levels of basketball. He has that much potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223505' first='Carter' last='Meerman'] 6-0 Grand Rapids Catholic Central </strong> From best long term prospect. To possibly the best overall performance. If I was forced to pick an MVP from the deep field. I would have to go with this bouncy lead guard. Easily the best I have seen him play. Attacked the basket with force all day. Powerful leaper off two feet who absorbed and finished through contact. While playing with speed and pace. Also displayed strength and balance. This made him more of a power guard. Like a post you were not going to knock him off his spot as his drove. Outside of the penetration. Shot it nicely from beyond the arc as well. Sense of balance helped him here too. Keeps shoulders squared to the basket. Good ball handler and passer who excelled in pick and roll situations. A truly outstanding all around performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434091' first='Nathan' last='Washburn'] 6-8 Macomb Dakota </strong> Like Jones and Thames, Washburn is a player making waves on the fall showcase circuit. As he was also a standout at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. Biggest player in the camp by a pretty good margin. But more importantly played like it. Easily established deep post position and sought out contact. Finished easily on the block with a soft touch over both shoulders. Has a sturdy but mobile frame. While still having room to fill out even more. Runs the court well for his size. Coming off a good grassroots season with REACH. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->