Freshman Showcase - DEFENSE AND HUSTLE PLAYS

<p>Defense and hustle are SKILLS, and ones that hold a lot of weight in my book. Well, there were some freshman in the gym for the Prep Hoops Michigan Freshman Showcase that showed these traits. These players deserve their just due for their defense and hustle, so that's what we're going to do. </p>   <p>You can find additional Freshman Showcase coverage below! </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/09/freshman-showcase-team-1-player-evaluations/ </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/09/freshman-showcase-team-2-player-evaluations/ </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/09/freshman-showcase-team-3-player-evaluations/ </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/09/freshman-showcase-team-4-player-evaluations/ </div></figure>   <p>As a reminder – The Expo: Michigan is coming up for juniors and seniors! Use code word “HankampHoops25” for a discount when registering.</p>   <p><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1627/register">https://events.prephoops.com/e/1627/register</a></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Makuag started the day out physically dominating the floor. He was working really hard on the glass, offensively included. The best part may have been that Makuag wanted to, and looking for opportunities to, screen for the ball handler.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">In a close game, possessions become gold. And Suardini wasn't willing to give one up. In fact, he was willing to sell out to earn an extra one. Any time there was a loose ball, Suardini was in the mix when it came down to who was getting it.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ceccarelli made a statement at the Freshman Showcase with his hustle. He was an energy player that had a nose for the ball. Ceccarelli was also relentless without the ball. He was willing to outwork his man when he didn't have the ball and force his man to match his effort.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Fite was willing to let his defense do the talking at the showcase. He kept a low stance and was determined to pick up stop after stop. His defensive effort was inspiring.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Burt wasn't in Grand Rapids just to score. He impressed me with his fundamentally sound defense. He was well schooled in that department. Burt forced angles and kept the inside arm at the waist and the outside arm extended.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Cabana caught my eye with his defense at the showcase. He was a versatile defender that seemed comfortable and effective guarding all over the floor. Cabana showed this with his multiple blocks on the day.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Williams played some really solid defense at the Freshman Showcase. He utilized his quick feet and quick hands to swipe the ball away from an unsuspecting ball handler. Williams turned that steal into instant offense.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Crawford caught my eye with a defensive play. He played the passing lane and jumped the ball. Crawford turned that steal off the pass into an assist at the other end of the floor.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Haynes made his presence felt on the defensive end. He had very quick feet and great defensive vision and anticipation. Haynes was able to put pressure on the ball and force a turnover.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bekius brought both defense and hustle to the table in Grand Rapids. He WANTED to defend and he played really hard on the defensive end. There was no possession off. Bekius showed that he could protect the rim and body his man.</p>

Defense and hustle are SKILLS, and ones that hold a lot of weight in my book. Well, there were some freshman in the gym for the Prep Hoops Michigan Freshman Showcase that showed these traits. These players deserve their just due for their defense and hustle, so that's what we're going to do.