BCAM Next Generation

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan's annual scholastic live event commenced this past weekend on the campus of Grand Valley St. BCAM's Reaching Higher event always features plenty of high level competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year was no different. However, both Orchard Lake St Mary's and Detroit Old Redford pulled out of the field late. Somewhat depleting the high level national talent. This was compounded by a few other players being absent or transferring. Consequently, I found myself looking to an impressive group of incoming freshman that were quite impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are five that caught my eye. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767770' first='Jordan' last='McDaniel'] 5-9 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (pictured) </strong>Has arguably the highest national profile of any 2029 prospect in the state. Lived up to it and then some. I caught him a few weekends ago at an event in Detroit. The advanced ball handling and playmaking instincts were readily apparent. However, the slight frame also raised questions in my mind. I wondered how he would hold up against older players. The answer against some of the best competition the state is a resounding— just fine. Kept larger defenders from smothering him with elite change of direction ability. I was also impressed with his ability to finish at the rim for his size. Did this with a mature or even “old school” techniques. Completed one drive with a traditional high arching hook shoot. I haven't seen that in quite a while. Already an outstanding live dribble passer. If you don't know this name yet, you should and will soon enough. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Codey Bush 6-2 Romulus Summit Academy North </strong>Bush runs with McDaniel on the Jr EYBL. He is similarly skilled. However he does not have any size concerns. Nothing about Bush's game say freshman. Has a tight handle with plenty of speed. Plays upright and has the height to see over most defenders. Got into his shooting motion easily. Picked his sports well on a Dragon team that has a deep returning backcourt from a semifinal appearance. Like McDaniel, Bush will be a name to know in Michigan's 2029 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2673543' first='Drew' last='Cabana'] 6-3 Chelsea </strong>In this field, you hear names and you make judgements based on prior comps. You try not to be too strident, but it's just a part of the job and the human condition. Cabana's older brother Joey plays at Ferris St after a year spent at Davenport. Joey was a tightly wound 6-2 playmaker. Cabana is additionally the coaches son at Chelsea. Consequently I was expecting a young player who plays on the ball with a glaring green light. I could not have been more wrong. Drew excelled as movement shooter playing off the ball. You could tell he has been well schooled in his role and largely deferred to returning senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2112230' first='Buck' last='Allen'] Was in constant motion off the ball and came off of picks well. Caught the ball in the triple threat position and featured a trigger quick yet smooth release. Has the size already to shoot easily over most defenders. Showed enough ball handling and playmaking to grow more into that role as he ages. Excited to see how the Ann Arbor area wing develops in the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2885244' first='Artrell' last='Burt'] 6-3 Warren De La Salle </strong>Like Cabana, I had a different image of Burt in my head. I thought he would be more of a post. Burt was a good ball handler and perimeter scorer with an advanced physical frame. Used an explosive first step to get the basket all weekend. Once there showed the ability to easily rise over defenders. Was also able to back defenders down into the block with an “old school” bully ball dribble. Contrasted the physicality with a soft touch from the perimeter. Under a new coach, the Pilots looked like a young a rebuilding team on the weekend. Burt is a talented piece for DLS to build with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2822822' first='Pabegg' last='Anyijong']</strong> <strong>6-7 Grand Rapids Christian </strong>We can't just list all guards. Bigs always develop at a slower pace than guards. So there is a lot of projection needed with this prospect. Anyijong has eye opening length. Full disclosure, I'm approximating the height listed here. It might be a tad high. However with his length, he plays closer to 6-7 or 6-8. Runs the court well and is a fluid athlete. Nephew of former East Grand Rapids star <strong>Justin Anyijong</strong> who went on to play at Toledo. The younger Anyijong has a ways to go and didn't receive a ton of run. However the upside was clearly evident. He plays in an excellent developmental program. An example with be the late rise of the Eagles post <strong>Jaylan Ouwinga </strong>(Toledo) If Anyijong continues to develop he could follow a similar path. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->