Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40 31-40

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.   40. Dakobe White 5-11 2025 Evart We'll start the list with a bit of a wild card. White hasn't been on the court in a year. As he recovers from a near fatal car accident that derailed his “senior” season. I used the quotes intentionally. As White was awarded the rare 5th year of eligibility by the MHSAA. That makes him a very intriguing and rare prospect if he is able to make back to the court. However he is not some type of novelty. White can really play and has speed and quickness to burn. Even if he has lost a step he will probably be faster than most of his opponents. Averaged 12.8 points per game and nearly four steals a game two years ago. Those eye opening steal numbers give you an idea of the athletic explosion he played with pre accident.   39. [player_tooltip player_id='2610296' first='Cole' last='Vanderhaag'] 6-0 2026 Mason County Central With a longtime head coach retiring. Vanderhaag will lead a new look Spartan attack into its next era. Vanderhaag is a coaches son and plays like it. Is a good shooter with smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. Showed it with Hardwood Midwest in a solid grassroots campaign. I was also impressed with his play at an elite camp at Grand Valley. Will need to improve a bit physically to take the next step. However has time to do it.   38. Stone Walker 6-8 2026 Pine River Spoiler alert… There is not going to be a lot of size on this list. Walker still has a ways to go as a prospect. However he already has size and plenty of time to develop. Has a highly projectable athletic frame that should easily add weight. Is also light on his feet with good lateral quickness. If the offensive skill level catches up to the athletic ability. Has a chance to play somewhere at the next level.   37. Tristan Griffin 5-11 2025 Frankfort I was impressed with Griffin at times this summer. Particularly at the Trevor Huffman Elite Camp in July. Has plenty of quickness and plays with aggression. Not very big but is comfortable playing off the ball with the presence of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2610292' first='Carter' last='Kerby']. Together the duo should form one of the top Division IV backcourts in the state. Should be more acclimated to high school basketball this season. As last season was his first year playing after playing at the homeschool level.   36. Luke Hill 6-0 2025 Houghton One of the top athletes in the Upper Peninsula is beginning to make strides on the hardwood. I was impressed with his defensive intensity at a Grand Valley prospect camp in the summer. Seemed to always take on the task of taking on the other teams best player. Plays bigger than his listed height. Comes from an athletic family and also excels on the gridiron and track. With that background could make a patient coach happy at the right spot at the next level.   35. [player_tooltip player_id='2610359' first='Rowan' last='Zickert'] 5-10 2026 Benzie Central (pictured) After a few years as a supporting player for a deep and talented Huskies squad. Zickert should ready to take on a bigger role as an upperclassman. The standout skill has always been deep range from the perimeter. That has not gone anywhere. However showed an expansion to his game this spring/summer with Midwest Stampede on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Particularly improved his ball handling and playmaking ability. Not very tall but offsets it with strong and athletic frame.   34. [player_tooltip player_id='2519293' first='Grady' last='Harless'] 6-2 2026 Bear Lake This placement comes with a slight asterisk. Call it.. two for the price of one. As Harless' twin brother Myles is very similar prospect. I'm going to give Grady the nod on this list with a slightly more well rounded statistical and physical profile. I was impressed with his athleticism at a Ferris St elite camp. Shows up on the stat sheet as well. Averaged a double double with 13.4 points per game and 10.3 rebounds. Also had a solid grassroots campaign with [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45']. Definitely a duo to watch in Division IV for the next few years.   33. Isaiah Millward 6-5 2025 Traverse City St Francis An athletic post prospect who should lead the charge at a Gladiator program now navigating life as an independent. Milllward's upside is in his athletic profile. Is a fluid athlete who runs the court well for his size. Elevates with with ease above the rim. Has nice frame and isn't rail thin. St Francis has been more perimeter oriented of late. Millward could have a big year for St Francis and possibly shift the attack into the paint.   32. Taj Williams 5-11 2027 Ludington Explosive and jet quick point guard has some serious upside as a 2027 prospect. Got valuable experience as a freshman on varsity playing behind David Shillinger. Should be more then ready to take over the point this year for the Orioles. Certainly looked the part in the grassroots season as he ran with the top team for the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm']. Plays strong to his dominant left hand and gets to the basket often going to that side. Playing at a storied lakeshore program. A coach will not have to worry about Williams' defensive schooling. If he gets the intricacies of the point guard position down, he could be a special prospect.   31. [player_tooltip player_id='2622028' first='Vic' last='Giuliani'] 6-0 2027 Crystal Falls Forest Park Is trending towards being one the next great multi sport athletes from this tiny UP school with a rich tradition. Full disclosure, with the remote location I haven't seem much of the player in person. However, coaches I trust who have seen it all on the Peninsula swear by his potential. Helped the Trojans to a quarterfinal appearance as a freshman. The bouncy prospect will be aiming for one round further. Where more eyes will get on him at the Breslin Center. Has the team around him to do it.

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.