Roundball Classic: New Names from Day 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After not being held in 2020. Then following a somewhat modified schedule due to the “omicron” variant. The storied Motor City Roundball Classic returned in full force for it's 27th iteration. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stars really came out in the high profile opening night. However an event of this magnitude always produces some new names. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are five that caught my eye </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1300916' first='Zander' last='Nash'] <strong>6-7 2025 Imaly City </strong>Not a completely new name for me. Caught what seems like a long time ago playing up a few age divisions with the Michigan Goonies. But this was my first time catching him in regular season action. Got off to a really slow start against Old Redford Academy. Seemed to struggle with the speed and length of their frontline. No shame there as <strong>Jaquan Stennis </strong>is going to be matchup problem for most players. However kept working hard all day and eventually got Spartans in at the end. Defensive competitiveness and versatility really stood out near the end of the contest. Started switching everything. Went from checking Stennis in the post. To popping out and sticking with <strong>Derrick Kilgore </strong>on the perimeter. Offensively showed a soft touch on some floaters. Wasn't afraid of contact and was able to get to the line. A lot of long term upside as he continues to gain strength and develop his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1130665' first='Wil' last='Ludwig'] <strong>6-5 2023 Walled Lake Western </strong>If we were just going off one half. Would have a place with the top performers. Started off red hot but cooled off in the second half. I was impressed with his assertiveness. Went right at Canton's front court of [player_tooltip player_id='1411857' first='Omar' last='Suleiman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1587820' first='Dante' last='Favor']. Showed the size and strength to finish through contact on more than one instance. Also showed ability on the perimeter. Has an unorthodox release but it went in from beyond the arc. Including a bank in at the halftime buzzer. First time catching this prospect. If the first half is more indicative of his play. Could be a small college steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587457' first='Bradlee' last='Van Brunt'] <strong>6-2 2023 Onsted (pictured) </strong>An elite prospect like 6-9 post [player_tooltip player_id='1223488' first='Ayden' last='Davis'] is always going to attract a lot of attention. And deservedly so. But undefeated Onsted is a complete and balanced unit. The trigger man getting Davis the ball is this lanky point guard prospect. A competitive of hard nosed player who isn't going to back down from anyone. Uses his size to go hard the rim. Size also allows to rise above defenders in the mid range. Good ball handler as well. Come for the Davis stay for the Van Bunt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Rylan Henagan 6-2 2026 Onsted </strong>While Van Brunt provides steady senior leadership. This athletic freshman is a spark plug off the bench. All over the floor defensively— literally. If there was a loose ball he was going to be near it. Skilled offensively and had a few nice drives and finishes. Physically advanced and nothing about him says freshman. The top of the 2026 class is beginning to take form. This prospect might belong in that conversation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex English 6-5 2023 Grosse Pointe South </strong>Appropriately named for a player with a soft touch around the basket (old hoop heads get that one) While he has an excellent backcourt setting him up. He earned his buckets. Was in constant motion off the ball. Also appeared to be well schooled in pick and roll opportunities. Patient in finding his spots and seams. Caught in scoring positions and kept the ball high. I'm just going to say it. I'm used to program measurements going the other way. I thought he looked taller than 6-5. No matter what his height is. Finished easily above the rim. Had a nice two handed flush. Could be an intriguing small college big man prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->