Roundball Wrap Up: Upperclassman Standouts

In its 30th year, the Motor City Roundball Classic further cemented its reputation as the premier holiday hoops event in Michigan. With plenty of high level play from teams across the state of Michigan. With the blizzard of late 2025 blowing in during the middle of event. I ended up booking an extra night and was able to attend portions of all four days in the stacked slate.   After giving you the top players from Michigan's emerging 2029 class. Then following that up with an eight pack of names from Michigan's equally exciting 2028 (sophomore) class. We will wrap things up with a look at players from 2026 and 2027 classes.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1588191' first='Braylon' last='Frantz'] 6-1 St Clair The power guard has long been one of my favorites in this class. As one of the top leapers in this class, plays much bigger than his listed height. Has a strong frame and plays off of two feet. Consequently when he elevates, he isn't going to get knocked off his spot. Is an excellent scorer. However primarily played point guard in the close loss to Royal Oak. Did a good job of initiating offense along with balancing scoring and playmaking opportunities. At 6-1, the point might be his position at the next level. However the bounce and strength do not rule out the two spot either. Is a “fit” player at the next level. With the athleticism he can “play” anywhere. However in the right spot and system he could really excel.   Quanez Smith 6-6 Detroit Pershing I was aware of this player. However this was the first time I had caught him live. Came away very impressed with the jumbo sized wing. Is a legitimate backcourt option at 6-6, but does not have the seemingly prerequisite lanky frame. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of length. However also has a thick lower body and broad shoulders. Isn't going to get pushed around. Gets to his spots easily and uses his size to rise over defenders. This is a bit of a cumulative mention. After playing well against Pontiac at the Roundball Classic. Dropped a 40 piece against a good Saginaw squad at a showcase in Grand Blanc. Could be the late blooming prospect of the 2026 class.   Curtis Flagg Jr 6-8 Hamtramck The evaluation here is pretty simple. Extremely long and bouncy post prospect with a ton of upside. I'm pretty comfortable in labeling this player the top rim protector in the state. Combines the physical attributes with innate timing. Quick second jump also makes him less susceptible to pump fakes as well. Has improved offensively since last season. Worked hard to establish deep post position and has good hands. However the defense is still ahead of the offense. If he gets in the right developmental situation at the next level. This is the type of prospect who could flourish. All of the physical traits are present.   [player_tooltip player_id='2610298' first='Da'Ron' last='Mason'] 6-4 Bloomfield Hills Every now and then a player just slips through the cracks. I don't doubt the staff at Wayne St at all. However when this player committed to the Warriors, my eyebrows were raised. Now having watched Mason in person, I think nearby Wayne St has gotten a serious steal. Doesn't have one standout skill, but does everything very well. Plenty of speed, but plays at own pace. Consequently, make things look very easy. Was just as adept playing on and off the ball. Found seams in a Lansing Catholic zone all game. Was decisive with the ball and found plenty of open teammates after the defense adjusted to his first half output. Could be a point guard with elite size at the the next level, or a primary scoring option. A lot to work with here. Finished with 20 points and earned a big fan in this scout.   [player_tooltip player_id='1806404' first='KJ' last='Torbert'] 6-3 East Lansing If you don't know how this site works. Click the orange link over this player's name. You'll find a plethora of articles about arguably the top player in the state. This evaluation isn't an overview of this player's elite skillset. You can find those at the aforementioned links. This an ode to Torbert's competitiveness. As the “visiting” team East Lansing got off to a slow start as Torbet's “Robin” had an uncharacteristically rough outing. Torbert got beat off the dribble once or twice, which similarly doesn't happen often. The gym was buzzing at the half. After the half, Torbert simply decided that “play time” was over. He just went out and imposed his will on both ends of the court. There was a nice dunk, but it was largely devoid of highlights. Just took over with his strength and tenacity. I've been watching this routine for three years now and it doesn't get old. Bowling Green is getting a good one out of the Mitten.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2446082' first='Devin' last='Brown'] 6-4 Detroit Old Redford (pictured) Kind of the last man standing for the Ravens after an exodus of transfers. Consequently he has been putting up some eye opening stat lines. I have seen Brown play before, so I know the talent is there. However I wondered how efficient these statistical explosions were? In a word (or two), pretty impressive. Yes, he gets a lot of looks. But you have to be pretty good to average nearly 35 points a game. Brown has an imposing and very physical frame. At the high school level, he can play and guard all five positions easily. Scores in a wide variety of ways and is a matchup nightmare. He punishes and overpowers guard down on the block. If you stick a big on him, has more than enough quickness and ball handling to get to the basket at will. Gets off the ground quickly and is a “chin on the rim” vertical player. Played through foul trouble in Old Redford's victory over Warren De La Salle. Still finished with 27 points in limited action. With his team winning over a quality opponent, that is the definition of efficiency. There is a lot to like here. I hope he gets the opportunity to show this skillset on a bigger stage in the spring and summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2446087' first='Gavin' last='Bobbitt'] 6-3 Detroit Mumford The Mumford resurgence has been led by a strong group of transfers. Bobbitt might have a slightly smaller reputation than his teammates. But he looked like the best player on the court in Mumford's loss to a strong East Kentwood squad. EK has a very long perimeter attack. Bobbitt was able to get his shot off at from a wide variety angles against a difficult defense. Has good elevation on a traditional and well schooled jump shot. Also had some nice off platform fadeaways. Has a smooth and effortless from beyond the arc. Showed more than enough ball handling ability to play the point, and did for most of the game. However I think he will be a two at the next level. Finished with a team high 22 points despite missing time late due to an injury.    [player_tooltip player_id='2140474' first='Braylon' last='Taylor'] 5-10 Grand Rapids Christian The Eagles struggled in their first holiday event after the injury loss of their Division I wing. Going into their next contest against a talented River Rogue squad, they needed someone to step up. Enter this diminutive lead guard. Taylor controlled and dominated the game from the jump. Used his touch from beyond the arc to open up driving lanes. Despite his size doesn't need much room to get his shot off. Does this with a trigger quick release. Also creates space with a clever ball handling skillset. Is a surprisingly good finisher at the rim. Isn't going to finish over defenders, but finishes from creative and unique angles. Even displays an old school hook shot at times. Is a coaches son, but more importantly plays like it. Finished with 26 points in leading Christian to a big and much needed victory.    [player_tooltip player_id='2276971' first='Seth' last='Hahnenberg'] 6-6 Lansing Catholic The last full game I watched brought the best post performance. Hahnenberg is skilled enough to play out on the perimeter. However as Catholic's game began to slip away against a talented Bloomfield Hills squad (see above) Hahnenberg essentially went into beast mode on the block. This display of strength was impressive. If he catches it low enough, it's a bucket or trip to the foul line. Often both as he finishes through contact with ease. Isn't just some old school hoss. Athletic enough to finish above the rim. Had a highlight reel dunk late. Can initiate offense and is a good enough ball handler to penetrate from the three point line to the rim. A little off the radar after playing with an Indiana AAU team. After putting up 28 points against Bloomfield Hills. He cemented his status as one of the top post prospects in Michigan's 2027 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140483' first='Christian' last='Cast'] 6-3 Detroit Country Day I'll wrap up with the feel good story of the event. After an extended injury absence due to an knee injury. Cast is back, and back in a major way. As smooth and composed of a playmaker as you will see. Always under control and plays with his head up. Skillset makes him a true combo guard. Scored when his team needed it early for a quick start. Had a game high 12 points at the half. Then seamlessly shifted into playmaking mode in the second half. After Warren Lincoln made a late charge, he put the scoring cape back on. Finished with a game high 26 points. Also has plenty of assists and high intangible plays. Including a late blocked shot that showed the elevation is back. Is off to a quick start this year and rentering the conversation for the top player in Michigan's 2027 class.

In its 30th year, the Motor City Roundball Classic further cemented its reputation as the premier holiday hoops event in Michigan. With plenty of high level play from teams across the state of Michigan. With the blizzard of late 2025 blowing in during the middle of event. I ended up booking an extra night and was able to attend portions of all four days in the stacked slate.