BCAM Reaching Higher: Eight for 2028

Let me be clear, a huge tip of the cap goes out to the BCAM staff for simply getting an event completed. Between a facility renovation limiting court space, to a Sunday power outage. It was challenging weekend to say the least. When you combine the seemingly unusually high level of transfer portal activity. It was kind of a puzzle to find where a team or who was even playing on what team throughout the weekend.   Full disclosure, I did not even see close to everyone I wanted to see. It's hard to do at an event like this. That being said, I plan and I try to get pretty darn close. With all the schedule changes and teams dropping out on Sunday. I came up well short. If you follow this space, you know I write only about what I see with my two eyes.   Nevertheless, below is a pretty comprehensive and geographically diverse list of eight standouts from the deep and talented field in the 2028 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='3602621' first='Igniire' last='Muhammad'] 6-5 Warren Lincoln Made a strong case for the top spot in Michigan's 2028 class. A skilled wing with length and explosion. The quick second jump gives him an edge over other big wings in this class. I was impressed with his play on Saturday against a very good Detroit Catholic Central squad. Even played a fair amount of point guard which surprised me based on earlier viewings. Put constant pressure on the rim and did not settle for jumps shots. Slender and doesn't have the biggest frame. Might need to add weight and play with a bit more strength to take the next step in his development. Isn't timid right now, so he might be fine going forward. College coaches aren't concerned as he has been attracting serous Division I interest.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539741' first='Josh' last='Bascom'] 6-5 Rockford (pictured) Not trying to be lazy here, but I could honestly just copy paste much of his brothers past scouting reports here if I wanted to. I would just need to substitute the word "wing" in the place "post". I won't but I will say this, I'm not sure what Bascom's standout skill is... scratch that... Bascom's standout skill is winning. That moniker undersells his versatility a bit. The lefty is good at just about everything. Can even play the point in a pinch. Mainly initiates offense out of the high post with his advanced ball skills and passing ability. Seemingly always makes the right read or decision. When he does have a misplay, usually has the grit and strength to power through it. The perimeter shot continues to improve despite a unique release. He will need that to be a wing at the next level. There are better athletes (not by much though) and there are better scorers. However, I'm fairly certain there are not better competitors (I know I've written that before) Bascom has the banners to back up that statement.   [player_tooltip player_id='2454031' first='Zameir' last='Clayton'] 6-1 Benton Harbor I'm not a big fan of grand social media pronouncements. However, Clayton was so good on Sunday that I couldn't keep my thumbs in check. After watching Clayton go off against against Lansing Catholic, I declared Clayton the best player in Michigan not affiliated with a shoe circuit team. While some might call that impulsive. I have watched him dominate the Prep Hoops circuit recently with his well-rounded perimeter game. Seeing him do the same thing against the top competition in the state pushed it over the edge for me. Does it all from the point guard spot. Gets to the basket at will. Plenty of bounce and finishes above the rim with the ease of wing. Can apply the brakes quickly and rise in the mid-range when the defense adjusts. You can't sag off him as he is a good outside shooter. A true point guard who does not need to score to impact the game. Willing passer who operates will in pick and roll situations. Does this as a good live dibble passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='3668577' first='Jayden' last='Charles'] 6-5 River Rouge An explosive wing with excellent size. I did not catch this player until the waning moments of Sunday action. Showed highlight reel finishing ability against Jackson. Nothched two huge finishes that had the far backcourt of the facility buzzing. Has the ballhandling ability to play the point. I've seen it in previous viewings. However, with the Panther's two point guard look, he used his size to operate like a traditional post. Didn't look uncomfortable in doing so. Set punishing screens and was explosive coming out of the dunker spot. Advanced physically and usurpingly has found success playing up an age group with Bates Fundamentals on the EYCL.   [player_tooltip player_id='3671612' first='Darien' last='Stewart'] 6-7 Holland West Ottawa This column's reminder that posts develop at a slower pace than guards and wings. Less than about hour into my weekend Stewart threw down a massive dunk in transition against Orchard Lake St Mary's. I did not a better finish through the duration of the weekend. Put down another big one in the waning moments of the weekend against a good River Rouge squad (see above) Beyond the highlights Stewart looked comfortable and patient operating on the block. As a player who passed the eye test in a major way from a young age. I was beginning to wonder if the skillset, particularly in the post would ever catch up. Now approaching upperclassman status. The answer is a resounding yes. Not sure there is a better run and jump athlete in the state over 6-6. A major lob threat who also contested everything defensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='3642648' first='Kyle' last='Hunter'] 6-4 Detroit Voyageur The west side version of [player_tooltip player_id='2539741' first='Josh' last='Bascom'] Listed as a guard but is more just "player" at the moment. Has very long arms that help him play taller than his listed height. Attacked the basket aggressively and did not appear to mind contact at all. Created space with a powerful and quick spin move. Highly touted player who did not mind getting after it on the defensive end. Played well off new/old teammatate [player_tooltip player_id='3270513' first='Noah' last='Holt'] who was returning to Voyageur for the weekend (maybe longer) Has earned national attention playing with Ohio's Phenom United on the Adidas circuit. Could be in line for a statewide breakout as he becomes an upperclassman.   [player_tooltip player_id='3352715' first='Jamison' last='Spratt'] 6-6 Grosse Pointe South Physically advanced post who I was hoping to catch a bit more of than I did. However I caught enough to know he has increased his footspeed and touch around the basket. Played well on Saturday against a talented but small along the frontline Benton Harbor squad (see above) The footspeed and hands were areas of improvement I had noted in prior viewings. Those prior settings were primarily spent playing up a age group with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers']. Played well of off South's talented playmaker on Saturday. Won't have to do it alone in the regular season as South featured two other mobile big bodies (including a 2030 prospect) Keep an eye out for this player (and team) in the coming year. Could have a big statistical year.   Eilyjah Rolan 6-8 Kalamazoo Loy Norrix We will wrap up completely new name for me. Rolan cathes your eye immediately with eye opening size and length. His contest against Saginaw Heritage was one of the last games I saw on the weekend. I did not see a better rim protector all weekend. Collected at least three blocks in a contest that only lasted twenty minutes. Also had plenty of alterations and bothers that don't go on a stat sheet (I think they might eventually be called Wemby's) Fluid athlete who ran the court well. Also showed plenty of lateral quickness. Has obvious upside as a defender. Let's clear, first time seeing this player and it was a shortened game. But looks like he has a quite a way to go on the offensive end. If he can develop there, this could be late developing post prospect.

Let me be clear, a huge tip of the cap goes out to the BCAM staff for simply getting an event completed. Between a facility renovation limiting court space, to a Sunday power outage. It was challenging weekend to say the least. When you combine the seemingly unusually high level of transfer portal activity. It was kind of a puzzle to find where a team or who was even playing on what team throughout the weekend.