The Stage: Michigan Standouts
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The Prep Hoops Circuit rolled into the greater Indianapolis area for an event simply dubbed The Stage. This “stage” featured a deep and talented field of participants from all over the Midwest— and even Australia. However deep within the heart…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit rolled into the greater Indianapolis area for an event simply dubbed The Stage. This “stage” featured a deep and talented field of participants from all over the Midwest— and even Australia.
However deep within the heart of Hoosier country. A handful of players from Michigan played well. Some of them established— or soon to be established recruits. Others just beginning to make a name for themselves. Following are handful of players that caught my eye.
Jaquan Stennis Jaquan Stennis 6'9" | SF Old Redford | 2026 State MI 6-7 2026 Detroit Old Redford Academy (pictured) Speaking of catching one’s eye. Few do it like my top player in the class of 2026. Is simply an elite physical athlete. However also has a nice skill set to complement the athletic gifts. If he is done growing. Which I highly doubt. He is already a high level division 1 player in two sports (basketball and football) Showed improved ball handling and decision making. Was able to face up and drive hard to the basket much easier than he did a season ago. At the rim is where the football strength comes into play. As he can easily finish through contact. A simply electric player in transition with multiple highlight reel finishes on Sunday.
Chase Kuiper 6-6 2024 Troy After running with REACH last summer. Kuiper has settled in nicely with Greg Grant Basketball Club (GGBC) Got off to a slow start. However once he got it going. He was hard to stop. Went on a personal 10-0 scoring that allowed GGBC to pull out a close victory Saturday. Showed off the full offensive arsenal in the process. Scored in the mid range. Hit two deep threes. Then scored in transition off a steal. Kuiper isn’t the only Colt making noise on the Prep Hoops Circuit. 2025 point guard Mason Parker Mason Parker PG Troy | 2025 State MI has been one of the top players on the Michigan Goonies while playing up a grade. They should form a nice duo in the regular season. Should be a priority small college recruit in Michigan. Had coaches watching him this weekend in Indianapolis.
Jacek Haight Jacek Haight 5'11" | SG Allendale | 2024 State MI 5-11 2024 Allendale As long as the point of the game is to put that round orange thing in a basket. There is a place for a player like Haight. Not very big but he is a stone cold shooter. Anytime you see an unknown player get really hot from behind the arc. The first inclination is to wait or do some research. Making sure you are not catching someone on a hot streak. Well this is now three straight weekends and I’m still waiting for Haight to miss. Not just empty buckets either. Led All In Sports to a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend. Compensates for size with good off the ball movement and a trigger quick release. Good ball handler as well who can play the point if needed.
Craig Hureskin Craig Hureskin 6'1" | SG Ottawa Hills | 2024 State MI 6-1 2024 Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills However Haight does not need to play the point due the presence of Hureskin. Haight’s equal as a shooter. I would imagine an All In Sports practice is pretty interesting with these two firing off deep bombs. Hureskin has a little more bounce and is a better penetrator. However it is all set up once again by dead eye deep shooting. Should form a nice 2024 duo with the Tigers in the regular season with Derrick King Jr. Derrick King Jr. 6'0" | PG Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills | 2024 State MI King was across town playing well with REACH in a different tournament. That setup will allow Hureskin to play mostly off the ball. Where he can fully feature his shooting ability.
Mason Struck Mason Struck 6'6" | PF Chesaning | 2024 State MI 6-6 2024 Chesaning Multi faceted stretch four prospect led Michigan Ballers to a perfect record on the weekend. Struck showed the ability the play inside and out. Big enough and strong enough to play in the post. Also has a good touch from beyond the arc. Played last year with Ohio Buckets. A good season playing closer to home should make him an intriguing recruit in the coming season.
Andrew Kasat 5-11 2025 Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest Kuiper wasn’t the only member GGBC showing out this weekend. Kasat provided steady point guard play while playing up a grade. Hit five threes in the opener to lead his squad with 16 points. Has a smooth and fluid left handed release. Played well in pick and roll situations and showed the ability to lead the break in transition. With more physical growth could be an intriguing point guard in the 2025 class. The skill set is already there.
Griffin Rose Griffin Rose 6'6" | SF Anchor Bay | 2025 State MI 6-5 2025 New Baltimore Anchor Bay Rose played well on Sunday against the Michigan Hurricanes big and potent frontline. Competed hard defensively and didn’t back down from the challenge. Offensively showed the creativity to finish around the rim against bigger defenders. Displayed an array clever reverses while also showing the ability to hang in the air. Showed perimeter potential by sinking a corner three. Rose wasn’t the only Tar making noise with the Macomb County Cougars . 6-6 Simon Stockwell also showed long term upside. They should form a nice 2025 froncourt duo for Anchor Bay to build on.