UAA Finals: Michigan Standouts

I enjoyed being in person to cover two days of the Under Armour National Championship in Louisville this year. I had every intention of providing timely boots on the ground coverage from the loaded event. However, I spent Thursday night under some vehicular stress, and Friday in a fine auto repair establishment.   While they were nice and full of Southern Hospitality. They had neither air conditioning nor WiFi. While I took an Uber back to the gym to catch a little Friday action. I was quickly off to Indianapolis for my next event by mid afternoon. Negating my best laid coverage plans. Unfortunaley the "better late than never" mantra has been a feature of my life. So here she goes, broken down by class.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2446083' first='Kordell' last='Robinson'] 6-4 River Rogue What a rise for the Detroit area point guard. Began the season with a Puma squad before switching over to Nova Village, Ohio's Under Armour team. I only mention that to highlight how quickly he adapted and performed well in a new surrounding.   Robinson really popped in the first game I watched on the weekend. Going off against Seattle Select team that featured one of the top guards nationally in the 2028 class who was playing up a division. Robinson has outstanding positional size for the point and used it to his advantage in this contest. Uses it swallow up opponents defensively. Offensively covers a lot ground as a long strider. Easily plays above the rim and attacks the basket without fear. Starting to earn Division I offers and his stock continued its meteoric rise in Louisville.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140480' first='Carter' last='Wade'] 6-1 Grandville I don't mean this as a slight to Mr Wade. As he certainly deserved this mention. However the top four players on the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] 17U squad are technically products of the state of Indiana and the New England prep school circuit with recent transfers. What played a large role in his teammates rising up recruiting boards and earning national attention? I would think running with a skilled old school pass first point guard was a pretty good catalyst.   Wade is physically advanced and does not fit the “water bug” small point guard mold. That does not mean his is a plodding bully ball prospect either. Has plenty of quickness and surprising elevation. As you would expect, can absorb a good deal of contact on penetration and finishes through it often. The way he can find open shooters on wrap around passes in a hammer set is special. Owning a handful of Division II offers. A big senior season in the rugged OK Red could possibly see him climb even higher.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2539741' first='Josh' last='Bascom'] 6-5 Rockford A high profile player who has done nothing but win and win big throughout his entire career. But it is time for some scouting truth serum. For me personally, I struggled to see his long term positional home. I worried on negative side that he might be a tweener. On the positive side an intangible loaded positionless player.   After watching him in Louisville, I'm going to toss those concerns out the window. He has obviously put in some serious work on his outside shot. Has a smooth and fluid left handed release that is hard to block. Looks much more confident and composed in getting it off as well. Has always been a strong driver and that continues to expand with improved ball handling. Looks taller and leaner as well. Put it all together and you a legitimate 6-5 next level wing.   [player_tooltip player_id='2757574' first='Emmanuel' last='Cooley'] 5-11 Grand Blanc The shortest position between two points is a straight line. That's an odd way to start a scouting report. However it is very applicable with this Flint area guard's game. Simply put, Cooley is a missile going to the basket. Has a quick first step that often gets him daylight on drives. He doesn't need much as he accelerates quickly on the bounce. I'm not sure I've seen “anyone” attack the rim with his force in this class. I'm including wings and post in that quotation. At 5-11 he goes right into the chest of any defender. If you remember John Flynn at Grand Valley. It is reminiscent of that ferocity and fearlessness. An improved outside shot could complete the package.   [player_tooltip player_id='2823601' first='Gian' last='Dula-ogon'] 5-11 Ann Arbor Pioneer This sharpshooting lefty something I did not think he was capable of in Louisville. In a Thursday night win over Tampa area Skill Center Elite he didn't shoot the ball well. Not sure I've seen it yet. However this brief swoon allowed him to show off the developing completeness of his game.   Got his team out into transition opportunities with decisive look ahead passes. Fundamentally sound and not flashy. Consequently sometimes I overlook the ball handling. How does a sub six foot two good get so many good looks from three? Partly he is adept with creating space with his dribble. Good in and out dribble and crates space with a jab step. These developments are positives as he will probably have to play point at the next level. And I almost for forgot… when it was winning time. He hit from three late.   [player_tooltip player_id='2464624' first='Ashton' last='Callan'] 6-3 Jackson Lumen Christi Be it injury, illness, or just being assigned to a different gym. I struggled to see this power wing in the spring/summer. I made a point not to miss him in Louisville. A skilled wing who plays bigger than his listed height. Often I use that descriptor on a player with long arms or absurd elevation. That is not Callan. The Jackson area prospect plays bigger than 6-3 due to his strength and physicality. Can put his rear end into a defender and create space.   Is a bit of throwback as he really excels in that forgotten area of the court known as the mid range. Has plenty of athleticism too. This makes him a matchup nightmare. Too strong for most wings, and too quick if a big bodied post tries to knock him off his spot. Good ball handler who can initiate offense as well. A hyper versatile prospect who still has plenty of time to develop.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2844038' first='Jace' last='Opoku-Agyeman'] 6-1 Rockford What I can write that I haven't written before. The Grand Rapids area point guard put an exclamation point on his standout grassroots run. In his squads opening contest I was impressed with how aggressive he was offensively. He is consummate point guard who is playing up an age division.   Attacked the basket often on Thursday in a win against a B Maze Elite squad that eventually won the 16U bracket. Disciplined and doesn't caught up with scoring after a few shots fall. Keeps getting his team into sets efficiently Also played well against an Atlanta Xpress squad that featured a bigger and more nationally lauded backcourt (at this time) He continues to wrack up prestigious invites to events that should place near the top of the 2029 class nationally when they are expanded. If he isn't someone is not paying attention.

I enjoyed being in person to cover two days of the Under Armour National Championship in Louisville this year. I had every intention of providing timely boots on the ground coverage from the loaded event. However, I spent Thursday night under some vehicular stress, and Friday in a fine auto repair establishment.