Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp: Detroit Shows Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've covered a lot of Prep Hoops Showcases through the years. Due to its usual West Michigan locale, you can count players the west side of the state showing out. This year a strong group of Detroit area players performed well at the Sophomore ID Camp. Following are eight that caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2957970' first='Kingston' last='Hunt'] <strong>5-9 Detroit Renaissance</strong> If you have seen him play, you know the evaluation isn't too complex. Look up "walking bucket" in a modern basketball vernacular dictionary and you see Hunt. Doesn't pass the eye test initially. Isn't very big and is not an overwhelming athlete who is going to finish above the rim. But mercy, does he know how to score. Doesn't do it in selfish gunner empty calorie way. Just has a nose for the basket. Notice I said "above the rim" earlier. That does not mean he can't finish at the rim. Uses unique angles to get his shot up and around bigger defenders often. Is a good enough shooter to keep defenses from sagging off him. That being said, he ca also improve there. If he can, he becomes even harder to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3733282' first='BJ' last='Lawson'] <strong>5-8 Eastpointe</strong> If I am going to highlight Hunt's performance. I have to mention Lawson. As the players are uncannily similar. While I had caught Hunt before. This was my first time seeing Lawson. I actually had to go back and change some notes as I had ascribed them to the wrong player. At the risk of repeating myself, Lawson got to the rim easily and finished amongst bigger players. Jet quick with ball in hands. He also excelled in transition. Played with his head up and was good passer as well. Played with good energy and competed hard all day. Also appeared to be good teammate who really enjoyed the game of basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3713351' first='DaNiel' last='Stennis'] <strong>5-8 Detroit King</strong> Another diminutive point guard. However, I am not going to be guilty of confusing this player with Hunt and Lawson. Stennis is a power guard with a thick upper body and broad shoulder. This allowed him to both draw and finish through contact on penetration. Good ball handler who appeared to be natural floor general as well. Balanced scoring and playmaking opportunities. King loses quite a bit of production from last year's squad. Fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3666469' first='Delon' last='Carter-Apple'] was scheduled to be attendance on Sunday. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch him in action. That being said, if he is as advertised and as good as Stennis. King could rebuild much quicker than statewide observers might think.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3559542' first='Anthony' last='Sledge'] <strong>6-2 Detroit Renaissance</strong> (pictured at top) I first caught this player and was impressed this summer with Hype Athletics at an event in Chicago. Remained impressed with his play on Sunday. Most of the players on this list have defined positional roles. Sledge is the "basketball player" of the group. At 6-2 I'm not sure what he will be long term, but he makes a lot of winning basketball plays right now. Does it with advanced physicality and aggressiveness. Good elevation and is a strong finisher around the rim. The versatility extends to both ends of the court. Can guard multiple positions. Quick enough to stay in front guards our on the perimeter. Strong to wall up against posts and protect the rim. The Phoenix has an exciting group of sophomores to rebuild with. Sledge shouldn't ger overlooked with the high scoring Hunt (see above) and the explosive [player_tooltip player_id='2958964' first='Jeramiah' last='Davis'] (see below)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3533646' first='Christian' last='Baylor']<strong> 6-3 Wayne Memorial</strong> Caught this player this summer in Indianapolis playing with what appeared to be an Ohio based AAU club. Once I realized the "Wayne" listed was not the Buckeye version. I became even more intrigued. The skill and playmaking that I saw originally was still evident. However, he looked noticeably bigger, stronger, and taller on Sunday. The increase in size aided his vertical explosiveness. Lived above the rim and appeared to be settling into more of an intimidating post role than what I saw this summer. Is a good passer, though I didn't it as much in this setting as I did this summer. Like Detroit King listed above. The Zebras at Wayne Memorial are in for a bit of rebuild. If Baylor continues to rapidly improve, it could e just a short lull. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2956568' first='Jay' last='McPherson'] <strong>6-3 Orchard Lake St Mary's</strong> What a difference a year makes. Last year at this same event I thought McPherson showed potential as stocky sub six foot lead guard prospect. This year the potential appears to be close to fully realized and... you can't use the stocky adjective. Thinned out and looking a legitimate 6-3. He was electric all day with ball in his hands. Attacked the basket with force and finished easily above the rim. Good ball handler and his size allows to see the court very well. Looked to have skillset to slide between the 1 and 2 spots seamlessly in the backcourt. One of true breakout performers for me on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2958964' first='Jeramiah' last='Davis'] <strong>6-3 Detroit Renaissance</strong> Davis is similar to his Phoenix teammate Sledge. A versatile and explosive athlete who just makes winning plays. Davis appeared to come in with something to prove and competed hard all day. He can score in a wide variety of ways. On the perimeter uses his size and frame to bully smaller guards into the mid-range. Has long and lanky frame that helps him play taller than his listed height. This is especially useful at the rim. Gets off the ground quickly and can hang in the air to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3729037' first='Messiah' last='Harris'] <strong>6-0 Detroit Pershing</strong> I saw Harris' name slated to play with REACH at various events this spring and summer. The stars just never aligned for me to catch him. It was worth the wait. Harris appeared to be a natural two guard with a smooth touch. A confident and well-schooled release with deep range. A firm athletic build allowed him to penetrate and score at the rim as well. Good enough ball handler to initiate offense and slide over to the point. He should not have to do that too often though. Earlier in the day, 2030 prospect and fellow Doughboy (Pershing mascot not an insult) [player_tooltip player_id='3727117' first='Brian' last='Bridges Jr.'] showed long term point guard potential. Harris and Bridges could form a strong backcourt for the storied PSL power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->