Gotta Get It: New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In its third year the Gotta Get It Hoops Classic at East Kentwood High School presented its usual ambitious six game slate. The stars certainly showed out and the field was dotted with them. However a group young players and new names made statements. Following are five that caught my eye. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2540262' first='Max' last='OMara'] <strong>6-4 2028 Grand Blanc (pictured) </strong>Judging by familial ties. This Flint area prospect likes playing in the Grand Rapids area. I first saw him in the “616” at the Prep Hoops Freshmen Showcase. His older brother (Bryce) is in the middle of his freshman campaign at nearby Calvin University. His brother was more traditional stretch four prospect. Early on Max looks like he has the frame and skillset to go either way. Contrary to the perimeter ability I saw in the fall. I was impressed with his toughness. Particularly against Byron Center's 6-9 senior Division I recruit. Competed hard on the block earning a steal and a handful of defections. This strength and competitiveness carried over the offensive end as well. As he completed a few dribble drives with an advanced finishing skill set. At his age if continues to grow physically, he could follow his genetics and move into the stretch four area. However if he has little physical growth left. The blueprint is already present to be a skilled wing with good size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Miller 6-3 2026 Detroit Renaissance </strong>The Phoenix's high profile and high scoring backcourt got off to uncharacteristic slow start on Saturday. Miller stepped into that opportunity and put together a big first half. Wasn't shy and scored in a variety of ways. Showed a confident and smooth release from beyond the arc, but also attacked the basket. Has the skills to play in the backcourt. However with the Renaissance's depth in that unit. Has the requisite thick and athletic frame to bang down low when needed. Faded a little bit in the second half as the the Phoenix's dynamic duo got hot. However I saw enough of this prospect to move him up on my monitor list. Renaissance is going to look at lot different next year as they graduate the all time assists leader in Michigan. Miller might be able to blossom in his senior year with more opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2381130' first='Samuel' last='Makuag']</strong> <strong>6-5 2027 East Kentwood </strong>I have written it before and I will spill the ink one more time. Makaug's ability to elevate is simply electric. He might already be on the best leapers and finishers in the state regardless of class. The only thing holding back from that distinction is strength. He is very skinny and can be moved off his spot with some contact. That being said, he also has extreme length that he can sometimes use to finish as he is moved away from the basket. Caught a high lob and finished with authority in a crucial point of the Falcons big second half comeback. The rest of his game continues to come along slowly. At the high school level is more of a post at the moment. In grassroots basketball, he can play the wing with a bit more spacing and transition opportunities. If the perimeter game catches up to the athletic upside. This could be a special prospect in Michigan's still developing 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2739498' first='Jacob' last='Lamb'] 6-1 2026 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice </strong>With some high profile departures from the past year, Brother Rice has not missed a beat. This is largely due to an impressive level of defensive intensity from their backcourt. Lamb came off the bench on Saturday and held up that standard. Guarded hard and might have had the defensive highlight of the event. A huge above the rim block in transition that showed off his athleticism. It wasn't all defensive grit however. Lamb is skilled and versatile. Stuffing the stat sheet with plenty of intangibles and winning plays. The vertical plays well on the offensive end as he attacks the basket. Strong and is able to both draw and finish through contact on penetration. Drives to both the left and right. Is more the just an aggressive penetrator. Was also a good shooter from beyond the arc. Finished with 12 points as Brother Rice notched a decisive win and handed Muskegon their first loss of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Izzy Hatibu 6-4 2027 Grand Rapids Northview </strong>If Makaug is one the best leapers and finishers in the state.'s 2027 class. His closet competition for that spot might sit just a few miles north. Habitu might have an even lighter frame than Makaug. However he makes up for it by getting off the ground very quickly. Others might be able to reach his lofty heights. But Hatibu gets there quicker and doesn't need much of a runway. This was seen on more than one occasion with above the rejections on the defensive end. These were winning plays in the nip and tuck victory over Warren Lincoln. The offense hasn't popped as much for him as I thought it would. I have seen it in individual and elite camp settings. But Northview has some serious upperclassmen firepower, so the shots just might not be there yet. Still finished with 9 points as Northview picked up a signature win over a defending state champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->