Elite Camp Weekend: Next Generation Standouts

An unusually paced summer left me making up for lost time on the Elite camp front. After not catching any during June. I hit two in one weekend. In both locations I was struck by... broken record alert!! The exceeding depth of the 2029 class in Michigan. Following are five standouts from the camps at both Hillsdale and Saginaw Valley St.   [player_tooltip player_id='3678711' first='Heyden' last='Jeremie'] 6-6 Grandville I mentioned the depth of 2029 class above. In an ode to the development of modern basketball. Much of that depth is on the perimeter. Although I'm not labeling him a post just yet. Jeremie might be the best pure athlete in the class. Don't misread that to say he is some type of long-term developmental prospect. There is plenty of skill already in the immense physical package. It is more of a statement on the athletic upside. As a rising 8th grader I wondered if he had peaked physically. The answer is an unequivocal no. Frankly that is scary thought for West Michigan opponents. Big broad shoulders, with a thick upper body, and corresponding long arms. Passes the eye test for multiple sports in a major way. One more time though, this is a pure basketball player. Has good ball skills and scores in multiple ways. Can handle and has a perimeter shot that is pure out to the mid-range. Was productive for a good West Michigan Premier squad this spring/summer. If continues to grow vertically and expand his game further out on the perimeter. This could be top player in what the shaping up to a special class. Usurpingly earned an offer from the host squad at the camp.   [player_tooltip player_id='3258647' first='Brody' last='Champagne'] 6-6 Clarkston If Jeremie is best athlete in the 2029 class. Champagne might be the player who falls most naturally into his position. Where Jeremie could go into the perimeter or post depending on his development. Champagne is a skilled wing with positional size... right NOW. If he is doing growing (which I'm not convinced he is) he will be just fine. You don't see too many 6-6 wings with this fluidity on the wing... anywhere. Runs the court like gazelle and fills the lane with the purpose. Extremely smooth skillset on the perimeter. Handles the ball like a point. Allowing him to get his spots easily on the perimeter. Well schooled and high release point on his perimeter shot. Already plays easily above the rim. Playing at a program like Clarkston you should not have to worry about fundamentals. In the midst of a meteoric rise. Began the AAU season by playing up a grade level on the Grassroots Basketball League. Finished it by playing with one of the top teams on the prestigious EYBL. Like Jeremie received an offer from the host squad after the camp.   [player_tooltip player_id='3679004' first='CJ' last='Brown'] 6-5 Detroit Country Day Did someone say something about natural wings? If Champagne is the most natural wing in the class. Brown isn't far behind. I really liked him last summer playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family']. Kind of lost track of him this year with a deep Brother Rice squad. Now that he appears to be heading the Country Day in the upcoming season. I don't believe I will lose track of him this year. When I identified him in Saginaw this weekend, he responded with a quick jab step and drive to the left that he finished off with a strong left handed flush. It was a quick, effortless, and easy play. In further drill stations showed smooth right handed release in the mid-range. Meaning the highlight reel dunk from earlier was with his off hand. Appears every bit of 6-5, which is a significant bump from last season. Is going to a good spot at Country Day. The Yellowjackets have talent but also have enough playing time for Brown to continue his development.   Brooks Nichelson 6-8 Jonesville Not in our prospect database yet. That will change quickly though. I first caught this player in June at a team camp. Went to watch a high level 2027 post transfer. Instead came away impressed with one of the other tall players (Jonesville has a LOT of size) Not surprised when I found out he was only finishing his freshman year. Looks young and has plenty of development to go. However, is already advanced with the ball in his hands. Handles and passes like a much older player. Is quite slender and will certainly need to add weight to his frame. Accordingly seems to shy away from contact and doesn't try to mix it up too much in the paint. Not a huge demerit at the moment with his age and frame. Additionally, 6-9 Quincy transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2843916' first='Alex' last='Dunn'] will allow him to play mostly in the high post. Not a wealth of true post prospects in the 2029 class. If Nichelson can continue to develop he could be near the top of that grouping.   [player_tooltip player_id='2873740' first='Hudson' last='Worm'] 6-2 Frankfort Might have been one of the only Division IV players in the field in Saginaw Valley. However, you would not know it from watching him live. Moves well off the ball and showed that in drill stations. Came off screens (cones, chairs) and caught the ball properly in the shooting motion. Most players this age violently attack the rim or love to put up threes. Worm does neither and has a mature game. Is strong and composed in the mid-range. Plays with a nice mix of strength and balance. Isn't going to get knocked off his spot on penetration. Uses a snake dribble well and knows how to create contact when he gets a defender on his hip. Could be part of a strong 2029 class in Northern Michigan. Especially among Division III and Division IV prospects.

An unusually paced summer left me making up for lost time on the Elite camp front. After not catching any during June. I hit two in one weekend. In both locations I was struck by... broken record alert!! The exceeding depth of the 2029 class in Michigan. Following are five standouts from the camps at both Hillsdale and Saginaw Valley St.