Valuable Unsigned Players That Should Be Known; Holiday Edition

It's the holiday season but that doesn't mean hoops slow down at all. This is the time of the year to play your last non conference, competitive games and in some fun ways. All over the state there are areas where the holiday tournaments ramp up and show off the state's top talents which makes it difficult to see everyone. In the Grand Rapids area, there are multiple unsigned recruits that could make a college coaching staff very happy at all levels. Here are the seen prospects that are unsigned that are making a huge splash in their recruitment, up to Christmas.    [player_tooltip player_id='1077676' first='Simon' last='Neuhaus'] East Grand Rapids: This wing does everything for East GR. How he goes, the team goes and he's not shying away from this role. The one thing that stood out from Simon was his leadership qualities, telling teammates where to go and lifting players up around him. For someone that plays a high majority of minutes, he is very active in all aspects of the game. Simon goes and gets rebounds, gets deflections and steals along with blocks. When it comes to the offensive side, Simon is a knock down shooter and loves the midrange pull up, which is a very smooth looking shot. He has the capability to stretch the defense with his 3 point shot or play you in the post which he is not afraid to bang around down there. NAIA and D3 schools need to jump on Neuhaus while he is available, a very coachable and skilled player. Simon averaged 21.5 points at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament, close to 45% of the team's total.   [player_tooltip player_id='1112299' first='Jaxson' last='Whitaker'] Reeths-Puffer: When you feed Jaxson on the wing and he is wide open, you might as well count the assistant for yourself. Whitaker is a solid knock down shooter that can pull from 20+ feet with consistency. To go along with his shooting, his ability to get down hill and make the smart right play, makes him a constant threat to the defense. His solid frame and body control makes finishing through contact easier for him which would make him a good D2 threat. His high IQ will help Reeths-Puffer make a good run throughout the season. Be on the lookout for Whitaker getting things done offensively and defensively. Whitaker had 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assist in their bounce back win at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament which goes in line with his season averages of 22 5 and 5.    [player_tooltip player_id='1356946' first='Travis' last='Ambrose'] Reeths-Puffer: Ambrose had a double double in their bounce back win vs East Grand Rapids. This 6'8 big has good feet in the post to go along with his patience when he gets the ball. He took advantage of smaller matchups that were at hand throughout the two games. What makes him a good prospect as a big in the 2024 class is his ability to take guys off the dribble. Several times when he caught the ball at the high post, he has the ability to get to the rim and finish over players. He showed signs of pulling from 3 which only will help his recruitment. I can see Travis being a hot topic when he establishes his presence in the post, once he dominates and uses his size over kids and doesn't back down. He has the ability and shows flashes, the thing college coaches love is doing it all the time. Looking forward to seeing his game grow throughout a huge junior year!   Mac DenBraber Forest Hills Eastern: When shots had to be made, Mac was the player that came up to make the shots for Forest Hills Eastern. Mac showed his range at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament making him a player you can't leave open. But what makes him a threat is adding the movement he does in a possession. He can take advantage and get down hill finishing in the paint. He is a strong player with a good IQ getting others involved. He also isn't afraid to get active and aggressive on defense. Heard some coaches love his game and I can see why, as the season continues don't be surprised by Mac's contribution. Mac put up 16 points in both games at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='902884' first='Jakhary' last='Towns'] Godwin Heights: Jakhary has the confidence that every shot he takes will go in, which in most cases is true. This guard can get hot quickly if given the open spaces. He just doesn't shoot the three but can get down hill and make plays for his teammates and team. In the win at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament, Jakhary put up 30 points showing he can be a threat every game he is in. Don't leave him open.    Cam Regnerus Grandville: In a tough matchup vs Northview for Grandville, Cam showed what was stated in an earlier write up, he is a rim protector. Regnerus had 8 blocks in the game vs Northview at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament. That skill of blocking shots at his rate is something that can be very difficult to teach/coach, he just has it! This big could be an easy double double guy for Grandville and on a given night has the potential to get close to a triple double as he almost had (9 points, 8 rebounds, 8 blocks). Cam is a threat in the post with his IQ and soft touch.

It's the holiday season but that doesn't mean hoops slow down at all. This is the time of the year to play your last non conference, competitive games and in some fun ways. All over the state there are areas where the holiday tournaments ramp up and show off the state's top talents which makes it difficult to see everyone. In the Grand Rapids area, there are multiple unsigned recruits that could make a college coaching staff very happy at all levels. Here are the seen prospects that are unsigned that are making a huge splash in their recruitment, up to Christmas.