MHSAA Rankings: The Division I Not Quite Yet Group

<p>I try to not be a clickbait provocateur. Consequently, I struggled to come up with a name for the tail end of this ranking series. Future rankings didn't feel right as there are plenty of teams in initial rankings with bright futures. I didn't want to just go with just the best young teams either as juniors are not necessarily young.</p>   <p>I'm going to go with the "not quite yet" moniker. Don't get me wrong these teams can certainly make some noise this year. However, I think state championship contention might be a little rich. As I have often wrote. I would be thrilled to be proven wrong. If my thoughts are in any way used for bulletin board material. That is fine with me. I'll attach the initial Top Ten and the five honorable mentions. Math isn't my thing but if you want to combine them to create a preseason top 20 that would be a cogent conclusion. </p>   <p><em>**Last year's record in parentheses**</em></p>   <p>Initial Top Ten: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-ranking-division-i-top-ten/">https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-ranking-division-i-top-ten/</a></p>   <p>Honorable Mention: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-five-more-for-division-i/">https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-five-more-for-division-i/</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ann Arbor Pioneer (21-5) </h2>   <p>It doesn't feel right putting a defending quarterfinalist who is still going to be strong on this particular list. That being said, the Pioneers future is just as bright as their present. Sticking to the premise of the article. I'm not going to write about returning seniors, though there are some good ones. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2823601' first='Gian' last='Dula-ogon'] was one of my favorite players from this past summer. The lefty isn't an overwhelming athlete and is sub six-foot prospect. That doesn't sound too appealing on the surface. Makes up for it by being an elite shooter and loading up on winning intangibles. Seemingly always makes the right play and pass. Intrigued to see what his ceiling as a prospect becomes in the next two years.</p>   <p>While Pioneer is loaded with guards. My cause for optismism is what I recently saw in a future frontline. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2824609' first='Grant' last='Costello'] is a bouncy 6-5 combo forward who should fit in nicely this year. He gets off the ground the quickly and should be a factor at the rim this year. Also watch out for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3555171' first='Julian' last='Kessenich'] (6-6) and [player_tooltip player_id='3556528' first='Parker' last='Smith'] (6-3). Not sure if their is room for in this deep rotation. But I was also impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='2830493' first='Hakan' last='Mcgee'] (6-3) at the recent Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Detroit Renaissance (11-9) </h2>   <p>Don't overthink or over analyze this squad. Simply put, in terms of depth, the Phoenix might have the most impressive crop of underclassmen in the state. It begins with two of the top 10 players in the 2029 class with [player_tooltip player_id='2957970' first='Kingston' last='Hunt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2958964' first='Jeramiah' last='Davis'] leading the way. Hunt is only about 5-9, but is hard wired to score. He puts them up in a hurry and scores in a wide variety of ways despite his size. Especially shows a knack for scoring at the rim. Does this with a creative finishing package and a fearless mindset. Davis is a high IQ versatile 6-3 positionless player. A fierce competitor who plays with a high motor. If he continues to grow, he will develop into a matchup nightmare on the wing.</p>   <p>Those two are just the tip of the iceberg though. With the dynamism of the top two, a team needs a player to do the dirty work. Enter 6-2 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3559542' first='Anthony' last='Sledge'] who plays much bigger than his listed height. Is able to this with a thick upper body and above average lateral quickness. When I say "dirty work" don't misread that to say he is not skilled. He is skilled enough to play and guard all five positions already. New arrival [player_tooltip player_id='3562489' first='Taurean' last='Wright Jr'] adds even more depth to the 2029 class. If this group sticks together, they could be special both now and into the future.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Orchard Lake St Mary's (10-11) </h2>   <p>Could the Eaglets be in for a one year rebuild? They certainly have the talent. It starts with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2885244' first='Artrell' last='Burt'] on the wing. An outstanding July on the Adidas circuit has him climbing up national recruiting boards. He is skilled and at 6-6 is not a post masquerading as a wing. Can handle the ball and create his own offense off the dribble.</p>   <p>While capable, Burt will not need to play the point though. As St Mary's has two good options there. [player_tooltip player_id='2956568' first='Jay' last='McPherson'] is up to 6-3 and was impressive at the recent Prep Hoops Sophomore ID camp. Along with the size, showed increased bounce that allowed to make plays well above the rim. He has the ability to play both the 1 and 2 spots in the backcourt. That is a good development as the point might be occupied. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2539727' first='Elijiah' last='Hines'] put together a breakout spring and summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] on the Under Armour Circuit. Already possessing plenty of quickness, he has grown vertically to over six feet. The developmental curve is pointed way up. I've written exclusively about backcourt prospects thus far in this capsule. Watch out for 6-9 junior [player_tooltip player_id='3680313' first='Kameron' last='Shannon'] who is a rapidly improving big man. There is a lot to like in the next two years at St Mary's.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saline (16-8) </h2>   <p>I've been here before with this group. Only a few years ago the Hornets featured a deep and talented group of underclassmen headed by arguably the top player statewide in the 2026 class. What happened then? A raft of transfers and players moving their interest over to the gridiron forced a quick rebuild. Why will this group be different? While they do not feature the top overall player in the class, this group loves to play and compete. They are positionally balanced and have a little bit of everything. Ideally, you start a team with a point and big. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2539683' first='Noah' last='Kronberg'] is the consummate point guard. While he plays the position well, he is also outstanding shooter capable of getting his own shot. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2539710' first='Becker' last='Samaha'] (pictured) is an imposing and improving junior with a ton of upside. At 6-8 with a large frame you might be hearing his name more next year after another year of development.</p>   <p>The talented is not limited to the 2028 class at Saline. [player_tooltip player_id='2825577' first='Tristin' last='Moore'] is a versitile 6-6 sophomore who is capable of playing all over the court. He does not need the ball to impact the game and should fit in nicely to the Hornets system. If you want to go even further out. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2971363' first='Weston' last='Jones'] is big and more importantly skilled enough to contribute in the coming year. Like their nearby neighbor Ann Arbor Pioneer (see top) there is some depth in the senior class. That might keep Jones from contributing this year. However, this is certainly a team to watch in the next few years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warren De La Salle (5-17) </h2>   <p>That is a lot of losses from last year. However, they faced a gauntlet in the Detroit Catholic League. They were also working in some transfers and playing for their third coach in three years. Now with some stability on the bench and in the rotation. I expect the Pilots to be improved this year. It starts, begins, and ends in the backcourt. This group has guards for days and it is difficult to know where to start. I'll start with the "old" hands. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2708450' first='Eli' last='Tuson'] has been playing on varsity since his freshman season. At 6-4 he might need to play closer to the basket with group. He is capable of doing so. However, he is a wing all the way and his squad will probably be more successful if he can create mismatches out there. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2758903' first='Jayce' last='Goff'] should be more comfortable at the point in his second year in the program after transferring over from Hazel Park.</p>   <p>Explosiveness will come from the sophomore class. [player_tooltip player_id='3574324' first='Jaidyn' last='Mott'] is a jet quick sub six-foot prospect coming off a string grassroots run with Hype Athletics. Mott is reminiscent to Hunt (see above) as he is a fearless scorer at the rim despite the lack of ideal size. While Mott is explosive at the rim. New arrival [player_tooltip player_id='2898567' first='Noah' last='Foster'] is next level shooter in a similarly pint-sized package. If all the pieces can fit together, this could be a special group going forward.</p>   <p></p>

I try to not be a clickbait provocateur. Consequently, I struggled to come up with a name for the tail end of this ranking series. Future rankings didn't feel right as there are plenty of teams in initial rankings with bright futures. I didn't want to just go with just the best young teams either as juniors are not necessarily young.