Mitten Recruit: Super Six Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two day Mitten Recruit Spring Classic took place outside of the center of sports world this weekend. With the NFL Draft downtown. A deep and talented field competed at Waterford Mott high school. Following is a six pack of standout performers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437538' first='Lance' last='Stone'] 5-6 2025 Detroit Renaissance </strong>Running out of adjectives for this pint sized dynamo. If you have seen him play you know the drill. Has everything but size. Makes up for the vertical limitations with a variety of plus plus skills. The main weapon is highly explosive lateral quickness. I watched him complete a spin move and finish that originated from well outside the low block. Got down the baseline and to the rim without the use of a dribble. That is some serious ground covered. As you would expect, is a hard nosed competitor who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Will need to become a more consistent outside shooter to reach his full potential at the next level. But that is splitting hairs on a very skilled prospect. Is having a big grassroots campaign thus far and it's easy to see why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292036' first='Stevie' last='Elam'] 6-2 2025 Adrian </strong>The polar opposite as a point guard prospect to Stone. Excellent size with a powerfully built frame. Like Stone, Elam has plenty of speed as well. However he uses his body so well, he doesn't need it use it all the time. Plays with an advanced feel and pace. Does put up a lot of shots. However it's within the flow of offense and doesn't feel forced. Really excels in the mid range. Gets to his spots and easily rises over most defenders. Plays with good balance and isn't going to get knocked off his spot. Reads defenses well and stays out of trouble with his dribble. Adjusts well when inevitable double teams come his way. Has the explosion to finish above the rim with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437577' first='Mason' last='Parker'] 6-2 2025 Troy (pictured) </strong>Playing on a team with Stone and McDowell has been a positive for Parker's development. Allowing him to move off the ball and focus on scoring. The lefty has always had deep range and a trigger quick release. Now is driving to basket with force and authority. Has also expanded his game by becoming an above the rim threat. Displayed it by catching a lob off the backboard and finishing emphatically with two hands. I would not have expected that from him last spring. Is a gym rat, so he far from topped out as a prospect. Should put up big numbers in the coming year. As the Colts lose of a lot from a two loss team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438247' first='Memphis' last='McDowell']5-10 2025 River Rogue </strong>Finishing off the trio of talented Michigan Unified point guards. Might not have as many tricks in the bag as Stone. But is bigger and just as quick— if not quicker. I can't believe I just wrote that sentence. Read above, we are talking about some serious jets in the legs. Highly competitive player who really got after it defensively. Offensively got to his spots easily off the dribble. Used a snake dribble effectively after he got defenders on his hip. Creative finisher at the rim despite not being the biggest prospect. Had nice wrap around reverse lay up against a bigger defender. Like Parker, could be in line to see his numbers jump. As his Rogue squad graduated some serious firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420491' first='Graham' last='Junge'] 6-1 2025 Flat Rock </strong>This was my first extensive look at Junge. I came away very impressed. Some real basic scouting here. Sometimes it doesn't take much to identify a players standout skill. One swing of the bat, or one tackle for for example. After Junge's first three. I noted— we have a serious shooter here. Everything was fluid and smooth from beyond the arc. His shoulders were perfectly squared to the basket. He was balanced and not rushed in the face of defenders. A text book of proper shooting fundamentals. Wasn't limited to that skill set. Made plays in the open court and off the dribble as well. Thick upper body and showed the strength to finish through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2058642' first='John' last='Simpson'] 6-5 2025 Birmingham Groves </strong>Coming off a big weekend in Grand Rapids. Simpson continued doing what he does best. Explosive rim running and finishing. However on Saturday also showed an expansion in his game. Has a soft landed touch out on the perimeter. Looked like his range extended comfortably to the mid range. Not the thickest prospect. But held up nicely against Michigan Unified's big and older frontline. Expanding the perimeter skill set will be key for his development. Not sure if he has the bulk right now to be a post at the next level. Despite that, the developmental curve is currently pointed why up and in right direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->