The Expo: Team 1 and 2 Evaluation Briefs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eighty plus upperclassmen from all over the state of Michigan descended upon Grand Rapids for The Expo presented by Prep Hoops Michigan. Following are brief evaluation from teams 1 and 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team #1 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539729' first='Emmit' last='Willhite'] <strong>6-5 2028 Greenville</strong> One of the biggest surprises of the day for me. Big is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Willhite is a big kid and has been for quite some time. Not afraid of contact down low and comfortable with his back to the basket. On Saturday though, showed significant improvement out on the perimeter. Comfortable with the ball in hands and was a good ball handler and passer. Able to initiate offense out of the high and mid posts. Also showed a smooth and effortless release on his shot that extended out to the three-point line. A player in the field who showed serious growth and improvement to his game. The developmental curve is pointed way up after Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2422855' first='Michael' last='Armour'] <strong>6-9 2027 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern</strong> Armour's frame has filled out nicely in the last few years. Helps that he stands a legitimate 6-9 with imposing wingspan and presence. Moves well for size and appeared to be quicker end to end. Showed strength and good hands in the post. Sudden and improved elevation allowed him to get the ball up the rim quickly. Doesn't stray too far from the basket. Appears to know and play his role well. Could really blossom in the right system at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844397' first='Tristan' last='Williams'] <strong>5-11 2028 Stevensville Lakeshore</strong> Good passer who did the little things for a squad that was loaded with scorers. Was particularly effective as a look ahead passer and started transition opportunities. Type of guard that the Lancer program that has had success with of late. There should be an opportunity as Lakeshore graduated some production from last year's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2411249' first='Lukas' last='Tedder'] <strong>6-1 2027 Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes</strong> Detroit area guard picked his spots well in a return appearance at the showcase. Competed hard on both ends of the court and showed improving quickness. Didn't force things and showed winning intangibles. Good shooter from beyond the arc with a fundamentally sound release. Should be one of the top Division IV players statewide in the upcoming year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2905939' first='Makai' last='Watts'] <strong>6-2 2028 Lansing Waverly</strong> Ball handling was the word of the day for Watts. Got wherever he wanted with his handle. Seemed confortable getting into the mid range off of two feet. Showed good burst and speed off the dribble as well. Also appeared to have added some muscle to his frame. There is a lot of opportunity in the Waverly rotation in the upcoming season. If Watts continues his strong play into the season. He could have a break out year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2446364' first='Carter' last='Beimers-Helbich'] <strong>6-4 2028 Grand Rapids Christian</strong> Rangy wing continues his improvement as he becomes an uppclassmen. Definitely a two guard in the long term. However I thought he looked improved as a ball handler and passer. His length helps him play closer to 6-5 or 6-6 on the wing. Covered a lot of ground as a long strider. Gradually worked his way into a deep Christian rotation last season. Should be ready for a bigger role from the jump as a junior this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2724009' first='Landon' last='Gahn']<strong> 5-8 2027 Cheboygan</strong> Diminutive Northern Michigan point guard put together a strong day. Like teammate Williams, was a good look ahead passer and helped his team get out in transition often. Made up for lack of vertical size with speed and aggression. Especially on the defensive end. Should form a nice senior backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='2430549' first='Gavin' last='Smith'] for the Chiefs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3635781' first='Darion' last='Phillips'] <strong>6-2 2028 South Haven</strong> Liked Phillips this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2269794' first='United' last='Persuit'] and believe he has potential to develop as a scoring wing. I didn't see anything on Saturday to dissuade me from that belief. Is patient on penetration and has counter moves when his first approach is cut off. Also has the size and length to shoot over most defenders in the mid-range. Becoming a no doubt about it outside shooter is the next step in his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2845431' first='Dwane' last='Hayes Jr'] <strong>6-6 2028 Farmington</strong> I thought he got off to a bit of a slow start during the 3x3 portion of the camp. Seemed to settle in as the 5-on-scrimmages allowed to use his speed in the open court. Was arguably the fastest end to end big in the camp. Good leaper who gets off the ground quickly as well. Also shoots well from the perimeter for a player with his size. Has a nice left-handed release that is hard to block with his release point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team #2 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539728' first='Emani' last='Hinkle'] <strong>6-4 2028 Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong> Hinkle was one of the more physical players in the camp. Was not afraid of and sought contact often. I thought he played better in the scrimmages where he could go to work in the post. Finished with both hands around the rim. Is explosive to the rim with surprising lateral quickness to go along with the wide frame. Loaded with winning intangibles and it is reflected with his career won loss record. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3276214' first='Elias' last='Losey'] <strong>6-0 2028 Brooklyn Columbia Central</strong> Was first impressed with this player in the summer while playing with Michigan Jayhawks. Continued that momentum on Saturday. A physically advanced guard who plays off of two feet well. Good athlete who can make plays at the rim at 6-0. Came up short on a dunk in scrimmages, but I saw enough burst to give him the "above the rim distinction". Under the radar prospect could have a big junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3680307' first='Denham' last='Butler'] <strong>6-2 2028 Dearborn Divine Child </strong>A tale of two sessions for a player who had a very good day. Both sessions were very good. During the early 3x3 portion of the camp. Put together an outstanding deep shooting performance. Simply couldn't miss while showing a smooth left-handed release. When the camp switched to 5-on-5 scrimmages he was able to show his all-around game. Moved into more of distributor playmaking role. Part of strong Divine Child contingent who played well at the camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3730792' first='Daniel' last='Siebert']<strong> 6-3 2027 Brighton Charyl Stockwell Prep</strong> Type of player that these showcases are big for. Watching him play you would not imagine that he played for a four win Division III squad. Talented combo forward who made plays during scrimmages. Displayed versatility and a projectable frame. Showed the ability to score at the basket and from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2283372' first='Taiven' last='Dermyer'] <strong>5-9 2028 Reed City</strong> In a camp setting two things with prospect become apparent. One is that he is not the biggest point guard prospect. Two, he has the moxie and skillset to more than make up for it. Handles the ball with purpose. Not too many wasted dribbles or movement. Plays downhill and towards the basket. Is an old school pass first point guard who plays with his head up. Accumulates assists in the regular season. Did the same on Saturday as well. Hard working player who put together a strong spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2269794' first='United' last='Persuit'] in various events on the Prep Hoops Circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3218926' first='Jayliss' last='Douglas'] <strong>5-10 2028 Waterford Mott</strong> One of the better shooters in camp put together a strong day. The shooting feats are impressive in two factors. Douglas has an effective shot with unique release point. Kind of comes from the side of his body. Plays a role in the shot being hard to block. Which is rare for sub six prospect. While he is a good shooter, showed enough ball handling ability to play the point. Part of a solid [program_tooltip program_id='2075759' first='Oakland' last='Elite'] AAU squad that I caught in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539864' first='Isaiah' last='Taylor'] <strong>5-10 2027 Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills</strong> (pictured at top) I'm not going to do an all showcase team but... if I did. Taylor might get the nod as the top 2027 point guard. The local prospect came to compete and play hard. Played well in both the 3x3 on 5-on-5 scrimmages. Exploded to the rim and got to the basket with ease. Showed the diverse finishing package needed to be efficient at the rim as sub six foot prospect. Displayed the ability to use a euro step well. However more often than not. Just finished though defenders. Accordingly, did not shy away from contact at all. Excellent change of direction ability that kept defenders off balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2537683' first='Tyson' last='Evans'] <strong>6-4 2027 Wyoming Lee</strong> Another local prospect who competed hard all day. A long and lanky frame that helped him play taller than his listed height. Showed the ability to play at the rim and out on the perimeter. Good rim runner who ran the court well. Beat defenders down the court often. Got off the ground quickly with a nice tip in. Wiry strength allowed him to bang down against bigger players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->