GLIAC Camp Tour: UP North Standouts

If you see what I did with my title. You know where we are going in this write up. Looking at the top performers from both the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan from the elite camps at Grand Valley and Ferris St.   Following are seven standouts that caught my eye from the two day swing.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Upper Peninsula </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] 6-6 2025 Marquette (pictured) MacPhee is ending the summer with some serious recruiting momentum. Recently earned an offer from Michigan Tech after his play at their elite camp. I was not there for that. However, if he played like he did at Grand Valley. I can see why the Huskies pulled the trigger. Furthest thing from your image of “ground bound” UP post. Is extremely light on feet with excellent lateral quickness. Also displayed next level get up. Finishing easily above the rim with both hands. While that is attention grabbing. I was most impressed with his shooting ability. Had a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. Also displayed excellent fundamental footwork that kept his shoulders square with the basket on his attempts. Catches the ball in the shooting motion and gets it off the quickly. However doesn't seem to play with guard allusions. Is a prototypical stretch four and seems to lean into that skillset. Has a sturdy frame with broad shoulders that he should be able to add weight to.   [player_tooltip player_id='2561786' first='Ethan' last='Marta'] 6-3 2026 Ishmening Westwood I didn't have many notes on Marta from his Grand Valley participation. However he really popped the next day up in Ferris. Showed the ball handling and passing ability that make him intriguing point guard prospect. Intriguing primarily due to his size. Is a legit 6-3 with a physical frame. Took off during 5-on-5 scrimmages. Got to the basket often with the dribble. Not the most explosive athlete but made up for it with clever passing and finishing angles. The dump off passes were crisp and hit teammates and in scoring position. As only a 2026, if he increases his overall athleticism. Could be a prospect to monitor from the UP.   Luke Hill 6-0 2025 Houghton A backcourt prospect from the far reaches of the Keweenaw Peninsula who doesn't pass the initial eye test. However once the ball tipped during scrimmages, you saw the competitive upside. Took on the task of guarding the other teams best player. Even if that was a 6-11 post prospect. Not shy offensively and put heavy pressure on the rim offensively. Has Division 1 bloodlines and you can tell with how he attacks and competes. Three sport athlete who is also a track and field standout. Consequently who might be a little under the radar. If he can put together a big senior season could find a spot as a small college contributor.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northern Michigan </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1819161' first='Ben' last='Rodenbaugh'] 6-5 2025 McBain After a nice grassroots campaign on the Prep Hoops Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball']. Rodenbaugh kept up the strong play close to home at Ferris. Looks to be back to full strength after a nasty facial injury ended his AAU run early. Used his strong upper body and broad shoulders to shed defenders on penetration. Has played a lot point guard out of necessity during the regular season. You can tell as he could probably stand to be a little more aggressive offensively. Athletically he is two sport standout who can run and jump with anyone. Becoming a knock down outside shooter would complete the package.   [player_tooltip player_id='2477378' first='Carter' last='Grubb'] 6-6 2026 Traverse City West By a healthy margin, this is the clear non-AAU breakout performer of the spring/summer season for me. After playing JV last year for the large enrollment Titans. He has broken out in a major way at various on-campus elite camps. Twice at Grand Valley (June/August) and at Ferris this past Sunday. A multi faceted a bouncy 6-6 forward. Grubb got to the basket at will at both locations. The eye opening skill is ability to get off the ground quickly. Not only gets up quickly, but gets high. With one of the highest max verticals in the entire camp (10-11) in Big Rapids. Ball handling ability allows him to get to his spots easily and rise above defenders. As the measureables suggest, he plays well above the rim. After a few months of wondering. I just asked him where this improvement has come from. He said just working daily with a respected Northern Michigan trainer. Nice to see someone do it the “old fashioned” way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1864825' first='Peyton' last='Viehman'] 6-5 2026 Traverse City Central Viehman is the exact opposite of his crosstown rival Grubb. A grassroots standout who hasn't played much regular season basketball due to transfer restrictions. Viehman didn't measure as tall as I thought he would. Possibly limiting his long term potential as a post. Fortunately he showed improved perimeter ability that could help him become a big wing. Drives heavily to his left which is his dominant hand. Will need to improve his ball handling ability and strength to take the next step as a fully formed wing prospect. Is part of a strong class of juniors at Central. With a new head coach and after a full year off. It will interesting to see how he looks this year.   Grady Harless 6-2 2026 Bear Lake This was my first time catching this high scoring guard who plays at a very small school. I wondered how he would look against a deep and talented statewide field. The answer— just fine. Wasn't overwhelmed athletically. Was able to get by and stay in front of players on both ends of the court. Shot the ball well and with confidence. Had a nice corner three. Good ball handler but doesn't look like a natural point guard at this point in his development. Isn't alone at Bear Lake. As his 6-4 twin brother Myles also played well on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how they develop in the next two years.

If you see what I did with my title. You know where we are going in this write up. Looking at the top performers from both the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan from the elite camps at Grand Valley and Ferris St.