The Stage: 2029 Michigan Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stage, a marquee event of the Prep Hoops Circuit took place in the greater Indianapolis area this past weekend. Despite the Hoosier locale. Plenty of players from the Mitten stood out. Following is eight pack of standouts from the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2673543' first='Drew' last='Cabana'] 6-5 Chelsea </strong>Playing in one of his first tournaments with a new squad. Cabana showed the adaptability of his game. Fit right in with a team where he might not be the number one scoring option. Pushed the ball quickly in transition both with the dribble and quick look ahead passing. Efficient playmaker as the ball did not stick in his hands long. While he continued to show the uncommon for his age ability to move off the ball. Played more point than I was used to seeing him play. This positional versatility and size is what has him trending towards the top of what could a special 2029 class in Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2957220' first='Max' last='Westerdale'] 6-1 Grosse Ile (pictured) </strong>After a strong freshmen season, Westerdale is off to quick start in grassroots play. The younger brother of Wayne St point guard and state champion Luke. When I first saw him at a freshmen showcase in the fall. I thought he looked bigger than his older brother and more a scoring guard. The size part of the equation has not changed. Added the point guard ability this weekend. Handled heavy pressure from a strong EG10 team in a close Saturday victory. Also showed the scoring touch in that contest by putting up 20 points. Very skilled with ball. However, will probably need to increase his footspeed to be a true scoring point guard. Has plenty of time and the right pedigree to pull it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3557068' first='Nasir' last='Harris'] 6-2 Pontiac </strong>Nothing about Harris' game said freshmen. Physically advanced wing who had more than enough size to play down low as well. Shot the ball well from beyond the arc and in the mid-range in a [program_tooltip program_id='3562948' first='Hoops' last='High'] Sunday morning victory. Reminds me of the rugged Derrick Ponder-type player that populated Pontiac during the state championship days of the early aughts. Could go either way positionally as a prospect. Could be a big guard or matchup problem forward. Another name in an emerging and deep 2029 class starting to take shape for the Phoenix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3545787' first='Alan' last='Nyambio'] 6-5 Detroit Country Day </strong>I was impressed with Nyambio throughout the weekend. Leading [program_tooltip program_id='3562948' first='Hoops' last='High'] to a 3-1 record at the tournament. The physical upside is immense. A legitimate 6-5 with a condor-like wingspan. Quick feet with above average lateral quickness. The offense will need to catch up to the defense. But he has plenty of time. Part of a strong underclassmen crop developing at Country Day. Diminutive guard [player_tooltip player_id='3561355' first='Ali' last='Hammoud'] shot the ball well on Sunday. Adding more depth to the Yellowjackets class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2850654' first='Jonathan' last='Crow'] 6-3 Stockbridge</strong> Fresh off of earning Division III all state honors as a freshmen. Crow got off to a strong grassroots start. Leading Michigan Ignition to 4-0 record on the weekend. Did a lot of his damage defensively at the top of a 1-3-1 zone trap. Quick hands and turned offense into defense quickly off of steals. Has deep range on the perimeter and already appears to fit the prototype of a stretch four. The release is unique, but it is certainly repeatable and effective. Leader of a strong Stockbridge contingent on the weekend. As 6-1 2029 prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2850856' first='Remington' last='Christie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2850675' first='Evan' last='Lockhart'] also played well for Ignition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2850774' first='Evan' last='Bekius'] 6-4 Salem </strong>Last time I saw this prospect, he was hitting a buzzer beating three to defeat an EYBL team. That was last summer. It was certainly an exciting play, but part of the energy was the surprise of the shot. Last year Bekius looked like an intriguing long-term post still growing into his body. In other words, not a three-point shooter. This year he showed the same post upside with the added bonus of looking like a legitimate perimeter threat. The release was still a little slow and needed a slight dip to get it off. Outside of that though, it was smooth and well-schooled. Lanky player and long strider who covers a lot of ground on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3594189' first='Brayden' last='Cook'] 6-2 St John's </strong>Like Nyambio (see above) gets the rare double mention. As good as the Lansing area wing played on Friday night. He was even better on Sunday. Scored efficiently and with ease. Put up 24 points and it did not feel like the basketball was in his hands very long. Has quick elevation to the rim and showed the ability to finish with both hands. Good enough ball handler to slide over to the point if needed, but he is wired to score. Part of intriguing core for the Redwings that could surprise some teams this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2958598' first='Michael "MJ"' last='Crosby']</strong> 5-4 Wyoming Godwin Heights </strong>Small West Michigan guard gets the persistence award of the weekend. Both him and his [program_tooltip program_id='3509505' first='Dream' last='Loudly'] team got off to a rough start on Friday night. Kept improving throughout the tournament. Culminating in a clutch Sunday victory against a talented and bigger Team Soil squad. Crosby was big in that contest, finishing with 12 points. Formed a strong but small duo with East Kentwood's [player_tooltip player_id='2879908' first='Gabriel' last='Hutcherson'] who finished with 11. Also shouldered the ball handling responsibilities against heavy pressure. Godwin is rebuilding and has had historic success with this type of prospect in the post. Just needs to keep getting bigger and stronger to take next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->