Run N Slam: Motor City Rebuilds

The annual Run N Slam event in Fort Wayne is the preeminent Midwest grassroots event. It is an expansive event that covers multiple states and shoe company allegiances. So where to start?   I found this year to be particularly incisive about the future of high school basketball in Michigan. As some established schools with recent state championships graduated long term lauded cores. However in Indiana they showed that they are not going anywhere, as a new crop players began to step up.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Orchard Lake St Mary's </h2>   Hoop heads know there was enough talent on the Eaglets bench to win a state championship in a smaller divisions. However casuals would look at all of the big time production graduating and expect a bit of step back.   In Fort Wayne a group of Eaglets showed they are not going anywhere. I have written a lot about 2028 standout [player_tooltip player_id='2758274' first='Mateen' last='Cleaves Jr.'] in the past few weeks. I have feeling national recruiting analysts are going to take over that task after the EYBL kicks into high gear. So I'll leave him out of this trio for the moment. Just know he might be the best of the bunch.   I'm going to focus on a trio of 2027 prospects who showed they are ready for bigger role. Speaking of “big”, [player_tooltip player_id='2276654' first='Quincy' last='Wright'] looked every bit of 6-8 or maybe even 6-9 as he approaches upperclassman status. Playing with Bates Fundamentals, he was a major factor at the rim in Friday night action. Finishing with ease and power at the rim. St Mary's has understandably perimeter focused for the past few years. Wright could move the focus of thar attack down to the block.   To do that he will need a good point guard to set him up. Fortunately St Mary's has two blue chip 2027's leads guards on hand. [player_tooltip player_id='2373451' first='Peyton' last='Kemp'] came into high school as a ballyhooed middle school prospect. Injuries and a deep bench have slowed his regular season development. This weekend he lived up to the hype by leading Indy Heat EYBL to a Platinum Division championship. Frequently setting up his nationally ranked teammates with easy looks in the half court. He was also able to get his own shot when his team needed it as well.   With Kemp playing on the ball, fellow 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2140490' first='DJ' last='Banks'] (pictured) could possibly slide to the two. Playing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] Banks seemed to find an extra gear when needed on penetration. If he is needed at the point. Has the requisite skillset and good size for the position. If everyone stays together and healthy. St Mary's could remain in near the top of Division I contention with the talent that I saw this weekend.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warren Lincoln</h2>   While St Mary's has long had a deep bench that you knew could play. Warren Lincoln's six man rotation has all graduated, and the two time defending state champions face more question marks. After this weekend it appears the answer will come mainly from the 2028 class.   Igniire Muhammad-El is a 6-3 versatile forward who had nice weekend for [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family']. Springy athlete who does a little bit of everything. Not sure of his position at such a young age. Could develop into an explosive four who presents matchup problems with his skill level. That would take more growth vertically. Or he could become more of a traditional wing. I would lean more towards the latter. Also watch out for 6-0 guard Coby Bruce in the 2028 class.   While Muhammad-El and Bruce were listed on last years roster, Jacob Wood was not. I was impressed with the 6-0 2027 two guard in Friday night action with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers']. Accordingly I'm slightly hesitant to mention him due to possible transfer status. That being said I liked what little saw of his game. Good shooter who played off of two feet with a good frame. The Abe's will probably have a little further to go to get back into state title contention. But they are reloading with a promising young base.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grosse Pointe South </h2>   Sticking with the Playmakers program. The future of the Blue Devils was on full display Friday night. Pardon the pun… but it's starts at the Pointe. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2746379' first='Kooper' last='Richards'] isn't very big (5-9) but that is about all you can knock him for. He is the increasingly rare pass first point guard. As you would expect excels in two man/pick and roll situations. Excellent live dribble passer with both hands. Adjusted well when defenses hedged out high to try and smother him with size. Used his quickness and court awareness to stay away from these traps.   Richards won't be alone in a future backcourt. Fellow 2027 Nolan Gross has the size and skillset to play off the ball. Gross showed a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. He should have ample opportunity to work on that skill as Richards will provide plenty of open looks. They will get help down low from the 2028 class. Beyond just this weekend I have been impressed with 6-5 2028 Jamison Spratt. Spratt already shows the diverse ability to bang down low and play away from the basket.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Detroit Country Day </h2>   The… and I mean THE high school basketball program of the 90's and early aughts were the Yellowjackets. After a fallow period they were supposed to begin a resurgence with two highly ranked sophomores last year. Injuries and a gauntlet of a schedule derailed those plans. While some of these injury concerns remain in place. I also saw enough this weekend to believe Country Day has a bright future.   It starts with [player_tooltip player_id='2139938' first='Isaiah' last='Marino'] The versatile 6-6 forward showed expansion to his perimeter game and could now be looked at as a legitimate wing prospect. As a freshman I took note of an unusual release on his outside shot. There is still a slight hitch, but it was noticeably smoother. Lengthy prospect and long strider who covers a lot of ground on the court.   Country Day also showed some talent in the 2028 class with Roman Allen. The 6-3 guard played well for [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'] for two straight weekends. As he also stood out in an undefeated weekend at the Prep Hoops Rumble in the Rapids event. Allen has a nose for the basket and doesn't play like a timid ninth grader. If [player_tooltip player_id='2140483' first='Christian' last='Cast'] comes back to to full health. The Yellowjackets could be factor this year in a wide open Division II race.

The annual Run N Slam event in Fort Wayne is the preeminent Midwest grassroots event. It is an expansive event that covers multiple states and shoe company allegiances. So where to start?