The Invite: The Stars Come Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four game slate of The Invite at Calvin University produced high quality and competitive basketball games. One thing that stood out is virtually every elite player lived up to the hype. Usually these star studded showcase provide at least one player who just didn't have it or was nursing an injury. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I covered [player_tooltip player_id='1213127' first='Javion' last='Otten'] (24 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='1356986' first='Cameron' last='Regnerus'] (27 points) in my write up. But the star power bumped up just a notch in the last two. Following are the blue chip recruits who further cemented their reputations. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Don't worry Rockford fans— breakout prospects are coming with <strong>Andrew</strong> <strong>Landis</strong> leading the way) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans'] 6-4 2024 Grand Rapids Northview </strong>Coming into the season I wondered about Ryans' ability to translate into more assertive role for a squad that lost some firepower. Those concern were fully extinguished by an outstanding performance in a close victory over South Christian. As [player_tooltip player_id='1212752' first='Terrell' last='Jefferson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='987644' first='Tyran' last='Thomas'] struggled ably through foul trouble. Ryans kept the Wildcat offense humming. Finished through contact in transition. Uses his size to rise easily over defenders in the mid range. The inclusion of the 35 second shot clock provided unique insight into his court sense. Manipulated it like a seasoned veteran. Even beat the buzzer for a crucial late bucket. Finished with a team high 15 points in the nip and tuck victory. However the stars only tell part of the story. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300920' first='Carson' last='Vis'] 6-3 2025 Grand Rapids South Christian </strong>Youngest player on this list. You would never know it. Plays a composed and mature offensive game beyond his years. A lot of elite prospects are good with both hands. That is not that unusual. Vis appears to be virtually ambidextrous. That is a bit more rare. Had a “what was that” reverse between the leg dribble to get to the basket. Had the cavernous gym buzzing. Struggled with foul trouble that kept him from finishing the game as strong as he would have liked. 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1437536' first='Trey' last='McKenney'] might be the best player in state regardless of class. But beyond him the 2025 pecking order is still being fleshed out. Vis belongs in the rarefied air at the top of that class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112374' first='Durral' last='Brooks'] 6-2 2024 Grand Rapids Catholic Central </strong>(<strong>pictured) </strong>The Cougars picked quite a spot to open the season. Brooks was ready to go from jump. As in literally. With Catholic sporting one of the smaller frontlines among state championship contenders. Brooks jumped center to start the game. Unsurprisingly he won the tip. Then proceeded to show why he is the consensus top recruit in state for 2024 class. A punishing driver who excels at getting to the line. Shooting is not the strength of his game right now. But has so many different ways of scoring. Finished with a team high 25 points. Even though Rockford got the win. Seemingly willed his team to stay in it after it could have got away late. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987270' first='Kaden' last='Brown'] 6-0 2023 Grand Rapids Catholic Central </strong>Got off to a bit a a slow start. But came up with a huge second half before foul trouble slowed him. In between showed why Wright St won a recruiting battle for this legitimate D1 point guard. Bounces and bounds around the court at a different pace than everyone else. Really stepped it up defensively to start the second half. Penetrates with purpose and force. Uses a powerful jab step to easily create space on the perimeter despite not being the biggest prospect. Excellent outside shooter with the prerequisite quick release. Type of prospect who could really pop and be a star in the Horizon League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223499' first='Jake' last='Vermaas'] 6-0 2024 Grand Rapids South Christian </strong>Like Brown didn't get off to the quickest start. Understandable due to football legs and a recovery from a broken collarbone. But also like Brown came alive after the break. Really changing the tenor of the game to start the second half. Bulldog of a defender who got a quick steal and finish early in the the third to set the tone. Plays with a fiery competitiveness and isn't going to back down from anyone. Is a consummate point guard with excellent floor vision. Found the open man often out of the Sailors “hammer” sets. Frequently with difficult cross court looks. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>**Special Note- I'm going to repost the write up for a few prospects within this write up. One, they deserve to be mentioned with this group. Secondly something strange happened (I'll blame Calvin's WiFi) with the first article. </strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356986' first='Cameron' last='Regnerus'] 6-8 2024 Grandville </strong>Was the featured player in the preview I posted on Wednesday. Did not disappoint at all. Showed the whole bag that makes him one of the fastest rising post prospects in the 2024 class. Two handed dunks emphatic rejections. It was all on display. Also showed the finer points of the game. Had a nice touch pass out of the high post to a open man for three. Showed improved passing all around. Might have been pushing a triple double. Easily had a double double with 27 points. The elite lateral quickness and length are what separates him from other bigs. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213127' first='Javion' last='Otten'] 6-4 2023 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills </strong>Similarly to Regnerus came as advertised. With his future coaching staff from Grand Valley in attendance. Gave them a lot to look forward to. Is as explosive of an athlete as you will see anywhere. But never seems to be in a hurry and plays at his own pace. Good ball handler who gets to his spots easily. Even if he doesn't get to his spot. Has the athleticism to simply rise above defenders. Did that often and displayed a soft feathery touch in the mid range. Finished with a game high 24 points. Easily could've had more. As he did not shoot well at the line. Also missed two dunks. I never thought I would write that sentence. One of the better finishers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->