Rumble in the Rapids-Bigs on Parade

<p>One of the most enjoyable parts of AAU events is finding new players that you did not see during the regular season. This is especially true this Spring due to the COVID shortened regular season. A lot players have been new to me this grassroots season. </p> <p>Oddly enough I had a particularly fruitful two hours on Saturday afternoon where I saw four bigs play really well and get on my recruiting radar for the first time. <br /> <br /> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1067871" first="Nick" last="Henry"] 6-8 2022 Caledonia </b>The first entry on our parade of bigs. Henry kicked it off with an absolutely dominant performance in victory against K3 (IL). Scored 28 points in the opening contest for a MBA Lakeshore National squad that went undefeated on the weekend. Henry is mobile and strong even though he doesn’t have the thickest build. Finishes with both hands around the rim. Showed his athleticism with a big dunk in transition. Got to the line often where he showed a soft touch. One of the things working in his favor is getting to play the four position due the presence of [player_tooltip player_id="1067860" first="Jalen" last="Overway"]. Overway who is an absolute mountain of man allowed Henry to operate in the high post and pick up his fair share of weak side rebounds. </p> <p><b>Haidyn Garrison 6-8 2022 Richland Gull Lake </b>I left watching Henry and Overway beast it out and moved over a court to catch the MBA NY2LA squad’s twin towers. If Overway is a mountain of a man this big from the Kalamazoo area is not far behind. A “garrison” is defined as “a body of troops designed to defend a town or fortress.” I would say this broad shouldered young man is appropriately named. Used his chiseled and thick frame to defend the rim and frankly the entire paint area. Had the block of the weekend with a big denial at the rim on a Minnesota Rise player who was going in for a dunk. Despite bulky frame is extremely light on his feet with good lateral quickness.  Defense is definitely ahead of the offense at this point but that doesn’t mean he isn’t skilled. Moved well in pick and roll situations and had a clever give and go in transition. Finished at the rim with both hands. All the physical tools are already there. If Garrison can extend his range and overall offensive game he could make a college coach very happy. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="983526" first="Donovan" last="Russell"] 6-9 2022 Muskegon Mona Shores </b>Garrison’s frontcourt partner sports the opposite body type. Tall and skinny but not afraid to mix it up down low. Plays both ends of the court well. Had two blocks in one possession. You could tell he has been coached up in pick and roll situations and moved well overall. Showed a soft touch at the line but definitely has room to grow offensively. Particularly with in regards to hands as he has a dropped a few passes. Should team with 2023 MBA standout <b>Parker</b> <b>Swartz</b> in attempting to turn around the fortunes of the Sailor program. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1068135" first="Nick" last="Ellis"] 6-7 2022 Grand Ledge </b>Full disclosure this was not my first time seeing this young man. I first saw him at the Let’s Get Ready IV Showcase this past fall. So technically this was my first time seeing him in “game” action. I was very impressed with his physical development. On the showcase circuit I noted that while he was skilled he was somewhat ground bound. Consequently his shot was blocked more than once in the post due to a lack of elevation. That wasn’t going to happen this weekend. Has thinned out considerably and was much quicker on his feet. He did a lot of the dirty work down low for the Denzel Valentine sponsored DV45 squad. He did not show much on the offensive end. However I know it’s there having viewed it in the fall. Good footwork and a soft touch around basket should combine with increased athleticism to make Ellis a prospect to watch in the upcoming year. Will help that he will not be alone as 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"] should give Grand Ledge one of the top frontcourts in the Lansing area. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="863942" first="Stephon" last="Bibbs"] 6-7 Detroit Henry Ford </b>The only player who didn’t fit into my Saturday afternoon block. Bibbs manned the paint for a Hoop Mentality squad that went undefeated on the weekend. Not sure of the particulars of age but he did play down a division with the 2023 squad. That being said I don’t care who Bibbs was playing against he has the physical skills to shut down anyone. Quick on his feet with extremely long arms. Bibbs flashed good rim protection and owned the glass. Offensively has a quick first and second jump and gets the ball up without wasted motion after offensive rebounds. Is gaining valuable experience playing with <b>Jahvair</b> <b>Pauldo </b>who will be his frontcourt partner with Henry Ford in the regular season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>