Season Preview: Top Five Backcourts
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With the start of the regular season most likely delayed, I will slowly roll out the 2020-2021 season previews. I’m not going to attempt to rank teams. I’ll simply rank the top backcourts, frontcourts, then duos lastly. From that list…
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Continue ReadingWith the start of the regular season most likely delayed, I will slowly roll out the 2020-2021 season previews. I’m not going to attempt to rank teams. I’ll simply rank the top backcourts, frontcourts, then duos lastly. From that list you should be able to ascertain the top teams. We will start today with the backcourts. I will try and stick with traditional 1 and 2 guard compositions. However the swingmen and three and even possible four guard lineups factor into the equation. All prospects are 2021 prospects unless noted
1. Orchard Lake St Mary’s- This is kind of like saying Trevor Lawrence is going to be to the number 1 pick in the NFL Draft. This is the best and deepest backcourt by quite a margin. Northwestern signee Julian Roper Julian Roper 6'4" | PG St. Mary's Prep | 2021 State #137 Nation MI gets most of the attention and that is deserved. However I think 2022 Kareem Rozier is the engine that makes this finely tuned car hum. Would be a national recruit with more size. 2022 Jason Drake Jason Drake 6'2" | CG Ferndale | 2022 State MI is good enough to slide Roper down to the three position which is saying something. If that wasn’t enough, added perhaps the top shooter in the state with the transfer of Will Smythe Will Smythe 6'4" | SG Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2021 State MI . An embarrassment of riches. I’m well aware I am leaving some out some other contributors but I only have so much space.
2. Grand Blanc- The only unit that can match the Eaglets combo of depth and high level talent. In fact these two squads served up an overtime classic in the regular season last year with St Mary’s coming out on top. Starts with uber 2022 recruit Ty Rodgers Ty Rodgers 6'6" | SF Grand Blanc | 2022 #34 Nation IN . Might be the best overall prospect still playing MHSAA basketball this season. 2023 RJ Taylor RJ Taylor 6'0" | PG Grand Blanc | 2023 State #262 Nation MI will look to build off a stellar freshman campaign. An outstanding floor general who plays well beyond his years and simply doesn’t make mistakes. The two will be manned by Nate Brown Nate Brown 6'3" | CG Davison | 2021 State MI , a steady and tough left handed scorer. The second unit is led by Adrian commit Josh Rechsteiner Josh Rechsteiner 6'1" | CG Grand Blanc | 2021 State MI . Highly competitive player who can get hot from beyond the arc. Like the number one unit on this list, bringing 2023 prospect Amont’e Allen-Johnson Amont’e Allen-Johnson 6'1" | PG Dream City Christian | 2023 State AZ off the bench is almost comical. Would start and star for virtually any other program in the state.
3. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern- Led by Ferris St commit Ethan Erickson Ethan Erickson 6'1" | SG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI . Erickson is responsible for the perhaps in front of Will Smythe Will Smythe 6'4" | SG Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2021 State MI ’s name above. Erickson is accurate from deep with a trigger quick release. Despite not having ideal height he can play the two due to the presence of Trinidad Chambliss Trinidad Chambliss 6'2" | PG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI . Chambliss (pictured above) is one of the fastest guards in the state who wreaks havoc on the defensive end. While size could be a slight concern with this group that was addressed with the transfer of Gavin Fisher Gavin Fisher 6'6" | SF Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI . Fisher should slide nicely into the three where his versatile game should thrive. Erickson and Chambliss have won a lot of games in their career and will look to continue this tradition in there senior years.
4. Ann Arbor Huron- This group plays so well together they have decided to continue their partnership at the next level. Both Devin Womack Devin Womack 6'2" | CG Ann Arbor Huron | 2021 State MI and Tyson Edmondson Tyson Edmondson 6'5" | SG Ann Arbor Huron | 2021 State MI have committed to play Lake Superior St. Womack is more of a combo guard than a true point. Competitive scorer who plays bigger than his listed height. Edmomdson’s length complements Womack and he is a excellent scorer in his own right. Oh yeah did I mention their three man is one of the top seniors in the state. Julian Lewis Julian Lewis 6'5" | SG Ann Arbor Huron | 2021 State MI will be taking his varied and versatile offensive game to William and Mary next year. While offense makes the mix tapes this group really excels defensively. Physically talented but they also play extremely well as a group.
5. East Lansing- From the Big House to the Breslin Center this next group is here on the strength of their grassroots performances. Marcus Wourman Marcus Wourman 5'10" | PG East Lansing | 2021 State MI had an excellent playing with the Grand Rapids Storm. Electric penetrator who is adept and finishing at the rim or finding his teammates with a dish. Not to be outdone two Trojans showed out with their respective UTS Elite squads. David Wilkerson David Wilkerson 6'2" | PG East Lansing | 2021 State MI showed a lot of development and should break out in his senior campaign. 2022 Mason Woods Mason Woods 5'8" | PG East Lansing | 2022 State MI is a little undersized at the 2. However he is should be an outstanding point guard after Wourman graduates. Woods showed the ability to play off the ball with a UTS 2022 squad that featured lead guard Brady Titus Brady Titus 5'10" | PG Tri-Unity Christian | 2022 State MI . Depth should come by the way of 2022 prospect Evan Sundermann and possibly 2023 Evan Boyd Evan Boyd 6'3" | PG East Lansing | 2023 State MI . I should also note that I don’t believe gridiron standout Andrel Anthony will be playing. If he did that would definitely change the calculus.
Honorable Mention
Troy- Led by Oakland signee Brody Parker Brody Parker 6'0" | CG Troy | 2021 State MI and twin brothers Ethan Emerzian Ethan Emerzian 6'0" | PG Troy | 2021 State MI and Jake Emerzian Jake Emerzian 6'1" | CG Troy | 2021 State MI (Madonna) Effective three with D’Anthony Hamilton D’Anthony Hamilton 6'4" | SF Troy | 2021 State MI as well.
Benton Harbor- Doesn’t get much tougher and hard nosed than Kentrell Pullian Kentrell Pullian 6'0" | CG Benton Harbor | 2021 State MI and 2022 Trucel Singleton Trucel Singleton 6'0" | CG Benton Harbor | 2022 State MI .
Linden- Led by heady and battle tested Blake Lund Blake Lund 6'1" | CG Linden | 2021 State MI . Younger brother Reichen Lund Reichen Lund 6'6" | CG Linden | 2022 State MI brings a lot of the same shooting and intangibles in a bigger package. Also features Eli Beil Eli Beil 5'10" | CG Linden | 2021 State MI who is an excellent passer. Shane Eberhard Shane Eberhard 6'3" | CG Linden | 2022 State MI is another excellent guard from the 2022 class.
Next Generation (oddly enough all west side teams)
Muskegon– 2023’s Jordan Briggs Jordan Briggs 6'0" | PG Muskegon | 2023 State MI and Anthony Sydnor III Anthony Sydnor III 6'3" | PG Muskegon | 2023 State MI are going to be problems on the west side for the next few years
Grand Rapids Catholic Central- Kaden Brown Kaden Brown 5'10" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023 State MI will lead a group with 2022 Jorden Brooks Jorden Brooks 6'3" | SF Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022 State MI . The X factor might be Durell Brooks one the top overall 2024 prospects in the state. Don’t forget elder statesmen 2021 Ryan Grantham Ryan Grantham 6'4" | SG Grand Rapids Catholic | 2021 State MI
Wyoming Godwin Heights- Super young group led by next level 2023 shooter Jakhary Towns Jakhary Towns 6'1" | SG Godwin Heights | 2023 State MI . Fellow 2023 Damarie Thompson Damarie Thompson 5'10" | PG Godwin Heights | 2023 State MI plays much bigger than his listed height. Depth comes in the form of 2022 Wells Walker III Wells Walker III 5'9" | PG Godwin Heights | 2022 State MI . Next up in the long assembly line of good Godwin guards.