Overlooked October: Northern Michigan Fab 40 (40-31)

As the calendar flips to October, I am going to begin a series highlighting overlooked or undercovered regions in the state. I'll begin with my place of dwelling. The vast and rural region of Northern Michigan.   This isn't the first year I have attempted this herculean task. If you are a regular reader, you know the drill. Nothing is changing from previous years. Probably the most difficult prerequisite is defining what Northern Michigan is. If you are a new reader the parameters I will be using are listed below.   From parts of the Upper Peninsula that stretch into central time zone. To the southern I-10 corridor passing through the Ludington and Reed City areas. These are the geographic borders I am going to use    Sticking with the purpose of this site I am going to focus primarily on college potential and not chiefly statistical output. In most cases (not all) this focus will also exclude players who will most likely play other sports at the next level (example Traverse City West star 2028 quarterback prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2844370' first='Brayden' last='Tillman'] is not on the list)   40. Jett Reedy 6-0 2028 Evart As the #40 ranking would indicate. This is not the best player on this list. He might be one of the better all-around shooters though. Has "in the gym range" and has the green light from the Wildcats. Uses that green light often and is an audacious scorer. Not a standstill spot up shooter. Good enough ball handler to play point. Has no problem shooting off the dribble and initiating offense.   39. [player_tooltip player_id='3682328' first='Sam' last='Bigger'] 6-2 2027 Traverse City Christian Had some type of introduction to high school basketball. Yes, Bigger is a senior. However, he just wrapped up his first year of MHSAA experience after playing at a very small parochial school for the first part of his career. Helped the Sabers to an undefeated regular season after they lost their best player to injury before Christmas. Simply put, this player would be higher if I was certain what his position was. Just a "jack-of-all" trades high level competitor. Does whatever it takes to win. Makes plays on the low block and out on the wing. Type of kid that just gets sports. Comes by competing naturally as his Dad played for Brian Kelly at Grand Valley State. A unique prototype of a late bloomer who might only just be scratching the surface of his potential.   38. [player_tooltip player_id='3595539' first='Cash' last='Cunningham'] 5-11 2027 Johannesburg-Lewiston Haven't seen this Gaylord area player widely. However, I liked what I saw at an HB Elite Prospect camp in June. Heady point guard with good quickness. Keeps defenders honest with deep range from the perimeter. One of the top scorers in a Ski Valley Conference that will be well represented by the end of this list. Good gridiron prospect for the Cardinals as well.   37. Gavin Keller 6-0 2028 Posen In an odd occurrence, the first of three Gavin's in the group of ten. Keller put together a big sophomore year well off the beaten path for Posen. Earned all-state honors after a high scoring season. Should form a solid future backcourt for the Vikings with sophomore Omar Perez. Even after a high profile transfer out of the area. Part of young group of talent coming up from the Alpena area.   36. [player_tooltip player_id='2468116' first='Bennett' last='Zeller'] 5-10 2029 Onekama While I had seen Zeller play before. He earned this placement in March. When the lights shined the brightest in the state tournament. Zeller came up big in helping the Portagers advance all the way to the quarterfinals. Only a sophomore and looks his age at this point of his development. However, is very skilled playing both on and off the ball. In Onekama's post heavy system made him more of a spot up shooter last year. This year he should be able to show off the ball handling and playmaking more freely.   35. [player_tooltip player_id='3683859' first='Kaiden' last='Proffer'] 6-6 2028 Buckley (pictured) Late blooming big who would not have been anywhere near this list last year. Still has some development to go. Looked bigger and stronger in the spring with [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45'] in grassroots basketball. Culminated with a strong performance at a Huffman Elite Prospect in late June. Has long arms and runs the court very well for his size. Will still need to improve his offensive attack on the block. Has come a long way in the past year though. The developmental curve is pointed way up.   34. [player_tooltip player_id='2845786' first='Jaden' last='Peters'] 6-2 2028 Grayling Athletic combo forward could have a big year for the Vikings. I really liked his potential going into last season. Seemed to struggle as Grayling sought to replace a very good point guard. The physical upside still remains though. After watching at him at a team camp in June. He might have expanded his skillset enough to run the point himself this year.   33. [player_tooltip player_id='2402509' first='Lyle' last='Price'] 6-0 2029 Crystall Falls Forest Park First caught this player at a prospect camp as a rising 8th grader. I do not rank nor write about middle schoolers often. Price stayed on my radar since that day though. The talent is readily apparent but I wondered how he would fit in on a deep and talented squad coming off a Breslin Center appearance. My wondering proved to be fruitless. Price fit in just fine and put together a stellar freshman campaign. Coach's son but more importantly plays like it. Has good positional size for the backcourt in Division I high school level. Let alone Division IV Upper Peninsula basketball. Earned All UP First Team honors and looks like the next one up from this storied program.   32. [player_tooltip player_id='3041144' first='Gavin' last='Weiler'] 6-0 2027 West Branch Ogemaw Heights Feels like a minute since I've seen a player from this particular school district. Weiler came back from an injury to put together a strong junior year. The high scoring combo guard put up points in bunches for the Falcons. Put in some good grassroots work in the offseason as well. Excellent shooter who gets to the rim with an explosive bag of euro steps and spin moves.   31. [player_tooltip player_id='2430549' first='Gavin' last='Smith'] 5-10 2027 Cheboygan Small point guard from just outside of the Mackinaw Bridge. Tested himself this offseason by leaving his normal Mid-Michigan AAU squad. Moved to a Detroit area program that played on the Puma circuit. This squad was deep with big men who are going to play at the next level. Unsurprisingly they had strong springs and earned college offers. As Smith is an old school pass first point guard who sets up teammates well. He is not very big but makes up for it with speed and a very tight handle. Leads a deep backcourt that should be ready to compete. As the Chiefs did not field a football team this year.

As the calendar flips to October, I am going to begin a series highlighting overlooked or undercovered regions in the state. I'll begin with my place of dwelling. The vast and rural region of Northern Michigan.