Run N Slam: Sunday Championship Standouts

For about ninety percent of the grassroots tournaments I cover. I low key dread Sunday action. While it allows you to see who really wants to compete on their fourth or fifth game of the weekend. For the most part, the players, parents, and more importantly the officials are all tired of each other and want to go home.   That is not the case at the prestigious and long running Run N Slam. With shoe company and circuit bragging rights at stake. Players really get after it. The 16U semifinal that I will cover below was one of the better grassroots games I have seen in quite a while. Following is a 10 pack of Michigan standouts from the highly competitive final day broken down by class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='3627559' first='Zach' last='Pearson'] 6-2 Fenton Inspire U is fundamentally sound unit that I really enjoyed last grassroots season. They seemed to be missing that "go to" scorer at times. Either Pearson who either was not on the team or has grown into that role as he becomes a senior. I watched him put up 21 points in their tournament ending loss. Good shooter with decent positional size. Orders his feet quickly and can hit contested shots. Competes hard on both ends of the court. Fits the protype of a successful small college guard. There were some colleges in that category looking at him this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539883' first='Zavier' last='Scott'] 6-4 Detroit Cass Tech I don't remember watching this player before this spring. This is a bit of a cumulative mention as Scott was also really good at the Storm Classic a few weekends ago. Playing with D Rice Elite, he continued his strong grassroots run in Fort Wayne. Has good size and a legitimate wing skill set. Not one standout skill, but versatile and does everything well. Helped D Rice advance to the Gold Championship. Showed toughness by playing through an injury. Could be lined up for breakout senior season. As he should contribute for one the top Division I teams in the state.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   As stated in the intro. Much of this portion is going to be devoted to the battle royale that was Platinum semifinal between the two preeminent shoe circuit squads in Michigan. an instant classic between the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] and [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family']   [player_tooltip player_id='3602612' first='Carter' last='George'] 6-7 Roseville Beyond just the Sunday morning loss. George was impressive all weekend. The physical traits are eye opening. A long lean elite 6-7 athlete who more than looks the part. However, is very skilled and loaded with winning intangibles. Unselfish player who was a very good passer. Could probably have looked for his shot a little more often at times. Explodes to the rim and an excellent finisher. With his eye-opening wingspan is major deterrent at the rim. Exploited his squads size advantage against the Storm. Quick second jump made him a major presence on the glass. I didn't see the perimeter game because frankly he didn't need to. It's there though and George continues to trend towards a national recruit in the 2028 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='3627578' first='Stefan' last='Banica'] 6-9 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice Euro transfer arrived in the States with much fanfare. In my viewings this past year. He seemed to face a bumpy transition at times. After this weekend, I would say that transition is fully complete. Like George (see above) recognized the mismatch in this contest and went to work down low. Highlight was a no frills fundamentally sound drop step into a powerful dunk. Stayed aggressive on the block throughout the nip and tuck contest. Also competed defensively and had an intimidating blocked shot. Should slide nicely into the center position vacated by Trevor Smith for the Warriors this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2758267' first='Domenic' last='Wing'] 6-7 Cadillac I'm not going to sugarcoat it. In my viewings, Wing struggled in the early part of the grassroots run. His Storm unit is obviously very good. However, they are guard oriented. As you can see from above, [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'] featured a big and talented frontline. At 6-7, but more of perimeter threat. Wing got out the doldrums and stepped up in a major way. It went beyond stats as he provided a presence down low and on the glass. Also played well in championship against a Meanstreets (IL) unit that featured an even bigger frontline. Still isn't shooting the ball particularly well from the perimeter. That is the carry skill that he displays in regular season basketball.   [player_tooltip player_id='2715417' first='Dexter' last='Lillmars'] 6-2 Fruitport I can't talk about the Storm championship and leave out this Lakeshore sniper. No other way to say it. Lillmars was on one during Sunday play. It wasn't just the points... and there were plenty. It was timeliness of the deep daggers. Whenever his team needed a basket, he stepped up. Has a earned rep as deep shooter. However, adjusted when ran off the line and scored in the mid-range. Even scored at the rim in transition situations. Is in not an above rim finisher at this point in his development. But is crafty and uses the glass well to compensate for the lack of lift. Put up 23 points in the dramatic semifinal win.   [player_tooltip player_id='3627521' first='Kayden' last='Harmon'] 6-7 New Haven Coming off a big regular season with the Rockets. Harmon is carrying that momentum into his grassroots participation. Showed inside/out capabilities in a close Sunday morning loss with Power 5. Hit a smooth and easy corner three early. However, his greatest upside might be on the defensive end. Is very light on his feet with good lateral quickness. Has the stature and length to be an intimidating presence in the paint. Runs the court fluidly and with purpose. Gets off the ground quickly and is a lob threat from the dunker spot down. Could one of the top overall players in Division III next season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='3627530' first='Damani' last='Oliver']5-11 Detroit Frederick Douglass (pictured) The second half of [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'] lauded backcourt that won the Platinum Division championship. Oliver doesn't really pass the eye test with his sub six-foot slender frame. Then the ball tips. It is readily apparent that this player is wired to score. Does it an efficient manner. Not a lot of "empty calorie" dribbling. Gets downhill quickly with a strong first step. Keeps defenses honest with a pure outside shot. Also knows how to get his shot in the mid-range despite not ideal size at the moment. Put up 25 points in the championship against All Ohio Baneville. Should be the top overall player in Division IV next season on a state championship favorite. Quite an accomplishment and start to a career for the freshman.   [player_tooltip player_id='2844038' first='Jace' last='Opoku-Agyeman'] 6-1 Rockford I've written a lot about this player in the past few months... and deservedly so. With that being said, I will try and keep things brief. Let's look at what the past month has looked like. Won and greatly contributed to a state championship. Decided to play up an age group with a shoe circuit team. Has had great success in that run. With two tournament championship and only one loss against national competition. Earned an invite to national prospect camp. Once again, that is all basically in one month. Goodness what a run. Watch for his name when national recruiting services begin to roll out their 2029 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='3627527' first='Aiden' last='Lindsey']6-1 Saginaw Heritage Like Opoku-Aygeman, a swing guard with good size playing up an age group with a shoe circuit team. Playing with Harmon on Wisconsin's Power 5, Allen did not resemble a freshman in any way, shape or form. Showed the ability to play both backcourt positions. Appeared slightly more comfortable playing off the ball. Competed hard defensively and showed good instincts on that end of the court. Could be poised for breakout year. As Heritage loses a lot of production and college players from last year's squad.

For about ninety percent of the grassroots tournaments I cover. I low key dread Sunday action. While it allows you to see who really wants to compete on their fourth or fifth game of the weekend. For the most part, the players, parents, and more importantly the officials are all tired of each other and want to go home.