Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40: 1-10

Back by popular demand (insert sarcasm) I'm going to once again take on the daunting task of composing a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. It is a herculean effort as this is a vast geographic region.    From parts of the Upper Peninsula that stretch into central time zone. To the southern I-10 corridor passing through the Ludington and Reed City areas. These are the geographic borders I am going to use.   Sticking with the purpose of this site I am going to focus primarily on college potential and not chiefly statistical output. In most cases (not all) this focus will also exclude players who will most likely play other sports at the next level.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='1616016' first='Landon' last='Kulawiak'] 6-3 2025 Buckley Four year starter gearing up to finish off an outstanding career for the Bears. Arguably the top shooter on this list. Has a unique but efficient release on his outside shot. Also has the size to get it off over most defenders. Appeared to be playing with more elevation and bounce during the June team camp season. Earned first team all state honors with an eye opening statistical line. Averaged 23.5 points a game with 8.1 boards.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='2610292' first='Carter' last='Kerby'] 6-0 2025 Frankfort An extremely dynamic and explosive point guard who is going to shoulder a pretty heavy load for the Panthers. Has some flair in his game with a very creative handle. Highly confident and competitive player who plays with a bit of a nasty streak. Isn't going to back down from anyone. Not very big but has the ability to play above the rim. Evidenced by averaging six rebounds a game from the point guard spot. Averaged 16.4 points per game to go along with 4.5 assists.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='2561784' first='Tanner' last='Theurkauf'] 6-4 2026 Menominee The next two players (#8 and #7) on this list are quite similar. They have faced off in multiple high profile matchups on both the gridiron and the hardwood. Theurkauf is an intriguing big guard prospect. Struck me as a unique quick twitch athlete for his size the first time I saw him last year. Was not afraid of the moment at all in a highly charged overtime quarterfinal loss. The ball did not stick in his hands and was in constant motion off the ball.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1819161' first='Ben' last='Rodenbaugh'] 6-4 2025 McBain Highly versatile player looking to cap off what has been a stellar four year multi sport career. Essentially plays positions 1-4 for the Ramblers. Has played a lot point guard out of necessity. While that will not be his position at the next level. It speaks to his positional malleability. Coming off an excellent grassroots campaign with [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Excelled in that setting as he got to operate off the ball more often. One of the best overall athletes on this list.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='2270808' first='Jacob' last='Plamondon'] 6-6 2026 Glen Lake The highest ranked 2026 prospect on this list. Continues a lineage of next level big men at this small school at the feet of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Arguably the best rebounder I saw this spring and summer. Attacks the ball off the glass. Is a load down on the block. A “country strong” player with thick broad shoulders and a powerful lower body. If he catches it deep, it's a bucket. This is due to the combo of quick elevation and a soft touch.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'] 6-0 2025 Traverse City West The consummate point guard of the list has wrapped up his recruitment already. Pledging to the Division III national champions Trine (IN) Pass first point guard who knows how to set up and run an offense. Efficient ball handler who is difficult to trap. Nice live dribble passer with good court vision. Capable scorer as well who can get his own shot when needed. Averaged 15.2 points per game last season. Coming off a strong grassroots campaign with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers'] where he tested himself all over the Midwest.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1787594' first='Kyle' last='McGowan'] 6-7 2025 Cadillac Next level athlete who is starting rack up Division II offers on the gridiron. However, I think he has similar potential on the hardwood. Highly mobile and light on his feet despite his prototypical tight end frame. Has a soft touch around the basket and ball handling skills you would not expect. Is patient in post and waits for plays to develop. Perhaps a bit too patient at times. Could stand to be a little more assertive offensively. I think that will come this year.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='1441371' first='Oskar' last='Kangas'] 6-6 2025 Iron Mountain Player who has continued to make consistent gains in both his game and frame for the last four years. Is lined up to finish off what has been an outstanding career. Not many weaknesses in his game. Can play all five positions at the high school level. Projects as mismatch three or stretch four at the next level. Not an overwhelming athlete. However has enough juice to make plays above the rim. Has been fun to watch his development with an excellent Wisconsin Crusaders unit on the Prep Hoops Circuit. In a tradition rich high school program. He will be one of the best to do it when he is all done.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] 6-6 2025 Marquette The late riser of this list. MacPhee put it all together with a huge spring and summer. Culminating with an offer from Division II Michigan Tech. The skeleton key for MacPhee is an extremely smooth and easy release from beyond arc. Has well schooled footwork and fundamentals. Allows him to get into the shooting position quickly. Especially for a player with his size. More than just a perimeter shooter though. Has a sturdy athletic frame and isn't going to get pushed around down low. Fluid athlete who runs the court well and with purpose. Was one of the best players period at deep Elite camp at Grand Valley in the summer.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='2058663' first='Gavin' last='Grondin'] 6-1 2025 Kingsford (pictured) The Lake Superior St commit is an explosive and tightly wound lead guard prospect. A little off the radar statewide. As he plays deep in the UP and with a Wisconsin based AAU club. Showed he can play with anyone in an electrifying performance against Flint Powers Catholic in the quarterfinals. At 6-1 plays easily above the rim. Has diversity to his game. Can take over games with his handle and penetration. While he also moves well off of screens as a traditional two guard. Makes for lack of size at the two with a trigger quick release and extremely deep range. I hope the Flivvers can make the Breslin Center this year. The rest of the state can get a glimpse of those in the UP already knows.

Back by popular demand (insert sarcasm) I'm going to once again take on the daunting task of composing a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. It is a herculean effort as this is a vast geographic region.