Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40 11-20

After a one year hiatus. I'm going to take on the daunting task of composing a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. It is a herculean task as this is a vast geographic region.   I am including the UP and the Lakeshore/Interstate 10 corridor. The Upper Peninsula is two years removed from a legitimate Mr Basketball candidate (Foster Wonders). While also only year removed from nearly taking two stare championships back across the bridge (Menominee/Ewen-Trout Creek) This going to encompass a lot of rural land and a lot of players. But it's also a lot of players that do not get as much coverage statewide. I'm going to do four equal installments of 10 to get to an even top 40.   Sticking with the purpose of this site I am going to focus primarily on college potential and not nearly statistical output. In most cases (not all) this focus will also exclude players who will most likely play football at the next level.   Be sure to check out part 1 (40-31) and part 2 (30-21). Top 10 will be dropping soon.   20. Jack Neer 5-11 2023 Boyne City Stocky powerfully built point guard is the trigger man for a potent Rambler attack. Competitive and well tested as he has been playing been grassroots basketball his entire career as well. Good outside shooter which allows him to be a scorer when needed. The only negative is a lack of vertical size. The other unfortunate thing to watch out for is how much he is able to play. Was having a huge season as the quarterback for a prolific and undefeated football team. Season was ended as he sustained a broken leg. Haven't heard how long he will be out. Hopefully he is able to suit up and complete what has been an excellent four year career.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='1441371' first='Oskar' last='Kangas'] 6-5 2025 Iron Mountain The talent well has not dried up in Iron Mountain. While not the generational prospect that Wonders became. Kangas is off to an excellent start. Was one of the top players on a deep Wisconsin Crusader 15U squad. That program produces college players by the bundle. So that gives you an idea of his talent level. Very skilled and can play both inside and out. The only long term question I have is positional fit. Is going to keep growing and become matchup nightmare in the post. Or is he going to expand his perimeter game and become a jumbo wing. Has plenty of time to figure it out and a ton of potential to work with.   18. Shawn Bramer 6-2 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary Straight up production placement. As I have heard he will probably pursue football at the next level. But you can't ignore that statistics and more importantly the wins he has put up in the last three years. Is a straight up bull in the post. Isn't going to get pushed around by anyone and is active on the glass. Averaged a double with 20 points per game and 10 rebounds. Has a lethal and quick spin move that he uses to create space against talker defenders. Led the Eagles to a Final Four appearance. Looking for one last run as St Mary's returns most of their rotation.   17. [player_tooltip player_id='1434244' first='Luke' last='Gelow'] 6-4 2024 Gaylord Athletic and bouncy wing who improved rapidly as the year progressed for the Blue Devils. Earned all conference honorable mention in the always talented Big North conference. Had a good grassroots campaign as well. Was his squad's MVP at the prestigious [program_tooltip program_id='2075656' first='Michigan' last='Warriors'] Jamfest. Like a lot of players on this list. Also played well in the fall at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. Gaylord has been down a bit as program. Gelow leads a young group that is eager to turn that around.   16. [player_tooltip player_id='1616016' first='Landon' last='Kulawiak'] 6-3 2025 Buckley I'll save the suspense. This is the highest 2025 prospect in the top 40. Coming off a big inaugural campaign. Backed it up with an even bigger grassroots season with [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45']. Playing up two grade levels at times. The strength of his developing game is next level shooting ability. Helped by excellent size and a trigger quick left handed release point. Averaged 16.5 points per game on a good team with a balanced offensive attack. Five years ago this tiny school produced arguably the top player in the region in Denver Cade (Spring Arbor). History could be quickly repeating itself with this prospect.   15. Carmelo Lindsey 5-9 2023 Baldwin I'm aware that I'm probably a little higher on this player than most. I find myself holding to one adage— speed kills. Fastest player in the top 40. And it's not particularly close. Combined with a good ball handling ability gets to his spots easily. Lack of size and a consistent outside shot are what holds him back. I saw an improved outside shot at a team camp in Cadillac this summer. Fearless driver. Unfortunately this tends to get him in foul trouble. Has to do a lot for the Panthers. Could really help his game if he were to just focus on being a distributor. Maybe that will come in his senior season.   14. [player_tooltip player_id='1811797' first='Evan' last='Haverkamp'] 6-7 2024 McBain One of the hottest players in the region when you consider how last year began. Got a to a slow start as the Ramblers struggled due to a high level of graduation attrition from a quarterfinal squad. Haverkamp appeared to have difficulty adjusting to the speed of the varsity level early on. However after the calendar switched to 2022 he came alive. Led McBain to a district championship. But really came on strong playing up an age level with Mount Pleasant based REAL Basketball in AAU. Has the appropriate to size to play up a grade level. Thick frame with broad shoulders. Long arms make him a plus defender. Well schooled at a storied program and does not make a lot mistakes on either end of the court. Despite imposing size shows a soft touch around the basket.   13. Cade Trudeau 6-7 2023 Petoskey This years version of fellow Northmen Brady Ewing (Calvin) Ewing was somewhat unknown post prospect who used a big summer to catapult him to a standout senior season. Earning a few college offers in the process. Trudeau is not as skilled as Ewing but has similar long term upside. Served notice in a big way with an eye opening 40 point performance at the loaded Brawl for Ball event in the summer. Also played well during team camps in June and at elite prospect camp at Lake Superior St. Has a sturdy but athletic frame and can really shoot it. There is always a spot for a player with that profile at the next level.   12. Jaden Montague 6-3 2023 Cadillac (pictured) A player that has an opportunity to step into a new role and take a leap in his senior season. Has showed improved playmaking this summer in AAU basketball. The Vikings are very talented program. However like most programs they could use a traditional playmaker. Montague slid into that role out of injury necessity in their run to the quarterfinals last season. If he can do that with more consistency in his senior season. He could really expand his recruiting profile. Looked taller and stronger in a good performance at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in the fall. Three year contributor could be in line for a big final campaign.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='1434093' first='Trenton' last='Taratuta'] 6-3 2024 Hillman Big time scorer with a mature perimeter game. Posted an eye opening stat line to earn first team all state in Division 4. Averaged 24.6 points per game. Along with nearly 8 boards. But also averaged 5.7—not a misprint—5.7 steals a game. I was very impressed with his performance at an elite camp at Lake Superior St. Also stood out in playing up a grade level in AAU. Good shooter with a powerful frame that absorbs contact well on his drive. Has close to a complete package. As he also has an excellent academic profile

After a one year hiatus. I'm going to take on the daunting task of composing a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. It is a herculean task as this is a vast geographic region.