Chi Town Tip Off: Michigan Standouts Plus One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second stop of the Prep Hoops Circuit Grit region took place just outside of Chicago this past weekend. While the main concentration of top performers hailed from the home state of Illinois, along with the neighboring states of Indiana and Wisconsin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was also excellent performances by players from the “M” states of Michigan and Minnesota as well. Following is a group that caught my eye. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**all players are from the 2027 class**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michigan</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2404828' first='Cole' last='Bundy'] <strong>6-1 Allendale (pictured) </strong>Bundy had a good weekend for All In Sports. I was impressed by his Saturday evening performance against Clipper Nation Elite. With the game close late went on a personal 8-0 run to seal the game. Is left handed and scores in a wide variety of ways. Appeared most comfortable operating out the high post/mid range area of the court. Allendale graduates quite a bit from last years squad. However the Falcons have two solid players to build. As fellow All In Sports guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382971' first='Jackson' last='Handa'] also played well this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2129505' first='Jett' last='Buckley'] 6-0 Kingsford </strong>The breakout performer of the weekend for me. Has good size already for a point guard. Played well in pick and roll situations. Got to his spots easily with excellent speed and a tight handle. Attacked the basket without fear and did not appear to mind contact. Competed hard on the defensive end as well. Didn't play on varsity last year as his Kingsford squad was one the deepest programs in the Upper Peninsula. Could form one of the best backcourt in the entire region with 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='2058663' first='Gavin' last='Grondin'] if given the opportunity next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381927' first='Brayden' last='Kassin'] 6-2 Iron Mountain </strong>Buckley wasn't the only UP product playing well for the Wisconsin Crusaders. Kassin came off the bench showing a soft shooting touch. Especially from beyond the arc. Beyond just simple accuracy. Showed a quick and efficient release with little wasted movement. Found seams in the defense and was good at relocating and finding open spaces. With fellow Crusader [player_tooltip player_id='1441371' first='Oskar' last='Kangas'] drawing plenty attention next year. Kassin should have an opportunity to get plenty of open looks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400917' first='Gavin' last='Rivera'] 5-9 Northville </strong>Small but quick point guard had a nice weekend for Inspire U. I like how he played in a Sunday morning game against Region Force. Against an equally quick but bigger point guard. Rivera held up well. Used his speed to push the temp all contest. Pass first point guard who excels in drive and dish situations. With good velocity on his kick out passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Minnesota </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Jeno 6-10 Elk River </strong>We've all heard the cliche. You can't teach size. That applies to this player in a major way. Is a legitimate 6-10. Nothing too flashy. But is mobile and a decent skill set to build upon. Did a nice job of protecting the rim against a Mad City Mambas (WI) squad that a trio of explosive guards. Has a ways to go. But plenty to work with already </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->