National Open Championship: Michigan Standouts

Though there was a small volume in terms of participants. The quality of Michigan teams was certainly present at the final stop of the Prep Hoops Circuit. Following are six Mitten State standouts (plus one from across the river) from the National Open Championship broken down by class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2833767' first='Terry' last='Crawford'] 6-4 Lincoln Park (pictured) A smooth and long Detroit area marksman got hot Sunday in a nip and tuck loss to Team Blaze Select. After the Indiana team dropped into a zone, Crawford basically become a one man zone buster for the [program_tooltip program_id='2948714' first='Motor' last='City Dragons']. Has as smooth and effortless of a release from beyond the arc. Just a simple flick of the wrist and doesn't get much of his legs involved. Haven't decided if that will work long term or not. At 6-4 certainly has enough vertical size to go without the needed lift. It worked on Sunday as the long range daggers forced the Indiana team out of their zone. Once they did, Crawford was able to show his drive game. While there is not a ton of elevation on the shot. Has no problem getting off the ground at the rim. Really excelled at using the baseline and the corresponding pump fakes on penetration. Finished with 21 points in the close loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='3528169' first='Tamaren' last='Campbell'] 5-9 Belleville The aforementioned zone applied by the Indiana squad listed above was necessitated by one thing. They simply could not stay in front of this small but uber shifty guard. Campbell got to the basket at will for the [program_tooltip program_id='2948714' first='Motor' last='City Dragons']. Did it every way possible. An overzealous fan/coach would scream out "can't go left"... and he would go left. While the zone slowed him a little. It didn't last long. His ability to shoot from deep (along with Crawford's exploits) eventually pulled his opponent out of the zone. Has a diminutive frame, but he has no problem finishing at the rim. Impressive how deep he is able to penetrate and still get his shot off. It's pretty much just straight ahead speed right to the cup. Doesn't really use the floater that a lot of players his size employ. Not a selfish pump. Good drop off passer on penetration and can find teammates off the live dribble. Put up 23 points in the close Sunday loss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2977599' first='Donovan' last='Clark'] 6-2 Detroit Loyola Clark was basically a one-man band in the post for the [program_tooltip program_id='2948714' first='Motor' last='City Dragons']. The fact that he did it at 6-2 was impressive. The additional fact that he did it while playing up a grade level made it doubly so. Clark does this with sturdy frame and quick elevation. Moves his feet well on defense. Has strength to match the frame and isn't going to get pushed off his spot. Knew his role and didn't stray far from the basket offensively. Towards that measure, scored 17 points with exclusively two-point field goals and trips to the foul line. Effective at this level, but at 6-2 will need expand his game a little in the next two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='3584653' first='Luka' last='Popovic'] 6-3 Vincent Massey (CAN) I could honestly write an entire treatise about the depth and talent of Canada's Rise Up Elite. I have yet to cover this lanky wing. Popovic was outstanding against an Uncheckable Elite squad out of Minnesota that featured a lot of length as well. Got to the basket and scored from unique finishing angles. Quick on his feet with a good handle. Put up 16 points in the Saturday victory. Was able to draw contact and was perfect at the foul line. I don't know much about hoops scene across the Detroit River. I would imagine Popovic has the potential to be a top player in the Windsor area.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='3594189' first='Brayden' last='Cook'] 6-5 St Johns Quite a weekend for the Lansing area wing who led his Michigan Ignition squad to a 15U championship appearance. Has a smooth offensive game that just looks so easy. I was impressed with his elevation on the weekend. Not sure I have seen this many dunks from him before in prior tournaments. The shooting from beyond the arc appeared to be moving up to the next level as well. Used four threes to put up 25 points in a big semifinal victory. Followed that with five from beyond the arc to finish with 22 in the final. In a deep.. and I mean deep 2029 class in Michigan. Cook could be the top player in the Lansing area.   [player_tooltip player_id='2850654' first='Jonathan' last='Crow'] 6-4 Stockbridge The Michigan Ignition offense is keyed by their 1-3-1 zone trap. Crow is frequently at the top of this attack. Uses his long arms and quick feet to get into passing lanes. Accordingly, many of his contributions do not register in traditional AAU scorebook. Don't misread this a "dirty work" intangible laden player. Crow is capable of putting up counting statistics. You don't earn all-state honors as freshmen with just defense (sometimes I wish this was true) Is a very good shooter from deep and I like the improvements in his release that have been apparent in the past year. Put up 20 points in a semifinal victory with the use of four threes. Has potential to go either way developmentally. Could be a big wing or stretch four long term.   [player_tooltip player_id='2896869' first='Connor' last='Asgaard'] 6-0 Escanaba The Upper Peninsula guard didn't put up big numbers on the weekend. That being said, I thought he looked better than when I saw him in Chicago during the spring. Stocky frame and athleticism make him the definition of a power guard. Gets into the lane and plays off of two feet. Found open teammates when the size collapsed on him. As he ages and improves elevation. He should be able to score more in these situations. Shows the handle and scoring touch to man both backcourt positions already. An early name to know from the UP in the 2029 class.

Though there was a small volume in terms of participants. The quality of Michigan teams was certainly present at the final stop of the Prep Hoops Circuit. Following are six Mitten State standouts (plus one from across the river) from the National Open Championship broken down by class.