BCAM Reaching Higher: Underclassmen Standouts

The BCAM Reaching Higher Event has evolved into the premier team camp in the state. Accordingly it's a chance to see the next generation of players who will be in the discussion for top players in the 2027 and 2028 classes.   I was disappointed I missed [player_tooltip player_id='2276651' first='Eden' last='Vinyard'] and Ferndale. He belongs in the conversation with the group listed below.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140483' first='Christian' last='Cast'] 6-1 2027 Detroit Country Day I last caught Cast with [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'] at the EYBL event in Indianapolis. His slender frame stood out and I wondered whether he would have some weight to be a truly elite prospect. Fast forward a month and I no longer have those concerns. Cast had no problem scoring and getting to the basket on Sunday in two games against Portage Northern and Pewamo-Westphalia respectively. The performance against Pewamo was especially impressive. As he was matched up with PW standout 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1588174' first='Grady' last='Eklund'] Went back and forth with the talented Lansing area guard all game. With Country Day coming out on top. Scored at all three levels. Absorbed contact and got the the line. Also displayed a pure touch from three. Created space to get it off with a devastating step back. All set up by advanced ball handling ball ability. An impressive and complete performance for a player trending towards the top of Michigan's still developing 2027 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2139938' first='Isaiah' last='Marino'] 6-6 Detroit Country Day I first caught Marino at the Prep Hoops Freshman showcase last fall. The physical upside is readily apparent and eye opening. A legitimate 6-6 (maybe talker) with an athletic frame that should easily handle more weight. In the fall he appeared most comfortable in the post. This past weekend he appears to have quickly transitioned into a wing. Got to his spots easily on the perimeter with a solid handle. Once there has the size to easily shoot over most defenders. The release on his shot is unique. Kind lets it go from the side of his head. However the mechanics are repeatable and it goes in. With his height, it is also a release point that is difficult to block. Along with Cast (see above) the once powerful Yellowjacket program have some serious building blocks that could lead a resurgence.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140508' first='Kingston' last='Thomas'] 6-3 2027 East Lansing (pictured) Like Marino, I first caught Thomas in the fall at the Freshman showcase. I was very impressed and named him one of my top performers at the camp. With the depth in the East Lansing program. Thomas spent most his year on JV. He looked more than ready for rigors of varsity this weekend. Versatility is his calling card at the moment. Just does so many things well. However also pops athletically and makes plays easily above the rim. Showed it with an emphatic finish in traffic on Saturday. Not sure of his long term position at the moment. However that's a good problem to have at this age. I could see him growing into a dynamic scoring wing. Or has the skillset to develop into point guard with excellent size— or both. Excited to see where it goes. Apparently I was not alone in thar assessment. Picked a Division I offer from Toledo after the event.   [player_tooltip player_id='2373451' first='Peyton' last='Kemp'] 6-1 2027 Orchard Lake St Mary's Due to St Mary's deep rotation and injuries. I had yet to catch Kemp play in person. Kemp announced himself in a major way with his play this weekend. With [player_tooltip player_id='1437540' first='Sharod' last='Barnes'] out, Kemp more than capably manned the point. Showed a “ball on a string” handle. Allowed him to get wherever he wanted on the perimeter. Despite this ability and his youth. Avoided the trap of being a “ball stopper”. The ball didn't stick in his hands and he got his squad into their sets quickly and efficiently. Shots can be hard to come by in St Mary's deep rotation. Didn't force things and played with patience and pace. With heavy graduation losses after the upcoming year. Kemp appears more than equipped to lead St Mary's into its next phase.   [player_tooltip player_id='2739263' first='Adam' last='Coats'] 6-3 2027 Belleville The Tigers from Belleville are a deep senior laden team.”Pooh” breaks this up as he is trending towards being Belleville's starting point guard. Has excellent size for the position already. Plays with verticality and has good length. Helps him play larger than his listed height. I would say he plays closer to 6-5. As you would expect from that description. Is an advanced finisher at the rim. Was especially apparent on a nice finish against Port Huron Northern on Saturday. Took on contact in the air and just powered through it. Also dealt with Northern's army of guards on both ends of the court. A little off the radar for some. As he ran with Kenny Smith's EYBL squad this spring. I don't think the “under the radar” part will last much longer. This is clearly one of the top prospects in the 2027 class.   Tyree Anthony 6-3 2028 East Lansing The talent pipeline continues to churn out next level athletes for the Trojans. While East Lansing is uncommonly deep on the perimeter (see above) They do not have not have a lot of size in the post. This lengthy prospect actually started there for them in the games I watched. Nothing about his game said “just finished middle school.” Competed and contested shots at the rim like a veteran. Offensively still has some growth but that is completely understandable. As his teammates show. He is in an excellent developmental program. Has time and the infrastructure in more ways than one to develop into something special.

The BCAM Reaching Higher Event has evolved into the premier team camp in the state. Accordingly it's a chance to see the next generation of players who will be in the discussion for top players in the 2027 and 2028 classes.