Prep Hoops Michigan Player Of The Year: C/O 2023

<p>High school basketball season featured a lot of high quality and high impact players in the class of 2023. We’re going to name a Prep Hoops Michigan Player of the Year and Honorable Mentions for the class of 2023.</p> <h2>HONORABLE MENTION</h2> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985671" first="Noah" last="Adamczyk"] (2023, PG, Bloomfield Hills)</strong></p> <p>Adamczyk was a menace with the ball in his hands this season. He constantly attacked and created buckets.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1076027" first="Adam" last="Ayrault"] (2023, CG, Grosse Pointe North)</strong></p> <p>Ayrault is one of the fastest rising prospects in the state, and soon to be beyond that. He’s a scary 3 level scorer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985664" first="Anthony" last="Benard"] (2023, CG, Grosse Pointe South)</strong></p> <p>Benard is a more than dependable go-to scorer and plays with a high basketball IQ.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987273" first="John" last="Blackwell"] (2023, CG, Brother Rice)</strong></p> <p>Blackwell continued to turn heads this season with his ability to play on and off the ball and defend multiple positions as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1170692" first="Trenton" last="Boike"] (2023, PG, Genesee Christian)</strong></p> <p>Boike made a very loud statement this season, particularly in the playoffs. He should be considered one of the top 3 point shooters in the state next year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987274" first="Jordan" last="Briggs"] (2023, PG, Muskegon)</strong></p> <p>Briggs is a wiggly guard that constantly pressures and breaks down the defense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987270" first="Kaden" last="Brown"] (2023, , Grand Rapids Catholic Central)</strong></p> <p>Brown probably has an argument as to deserving the Player of the Year. He took his shot, and his entire game, to a different level this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986241" first="Bryce" last="Eaton"] (2023, PG, Detroit Edison)</strong></p> <p>The waterbug guard proved extremely tough to slow down. He led Detroit Edison all the way to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985669" first="Damaryon" last="Fishburn"] (2023, CG, Taylor Trillium)</strong></p> <p>Fishburn deserves more recognition for what he is and is doing as a basketball player. He led his Taylor Trillium squad to a tight regional final loss.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985666" first="Ryan" last="Hurst"] (2023, SG, North Farmington)</strong></p> <p>Hurst was an elite scorer off the ball with one of the most talented teams in the state.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1352957" first="Bryce" last="Kurncz"] (2023, G/F, DeWitt)</strong></p> <p>Kurncz was a bona fide bucket getter all season for DeWitt. There were times that it seemed like he was putting up video game like numbers.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986253" first="Mike" last="Lividini"] (2023, PG, Southfield Christian)</strong></p> <p>Lividini was half of what proved to be one of the better backcourts around. He was extremely efficient with the ball in Southfield Christian’s run to the quarterfinals.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985667" first="Wyatt" last="Nausadis"] (2023, PG, Traverse City St. Francis)</strong></p> <p>Nausadis has a terrific skill set and can put up points in bunches while matching up with the best of the best athletically.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1277369" first="Malik" last="Olafioye"] (2023, PG, Ecorse)</strong></p> <p>Olafioye is one of the most talented guards in the country if you ask me. He helped lead Ecorse to the brink of a state title</p> <p><strong>Mike Sulaka (2023, C, De La Salle)</strong></p> <p>Saluka was our Division 1 Final 4 Most Outstanding Player and for good reason. He’s one of, if not the top, post defender in the state.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1352915" first="Jordan" last="Scott"] (2023, PG, Plymouth Christian)</strong></p> <p>The powerful point had a breakout season of sorts, leading his team to a district title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986883" first="Nino" last="Smith"] (2023, CG, De La Salle)</strong></p> <p>Smith was a key piece of the De La Salle run to the state title. He’s a quick 2 way player that always finds a way to have an influence.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902884" first="Jakhary" last="Towns"] (2023, SG, Godwin Heights)</strong></p> <p>Towns had a terrific season. He scored at a high clip and did it with consistency. His offensive game was so smooth all season.</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"] (2023, PF, Kalamazoo Central)</b></p> <p>Ward was a huge reason that Kalamazoo Central made an epic run to the quarterfinals. He can stretch the floor with his elite outside shooting.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985657" first="Sonny" last="Wilson"] (2023, PG, UD Jesuit)</strong></p> <p>Wilson is one of the best lead guards in the midwest if you ask me. He can play at any pace and can both score and distribute at a high level.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986249" first="Caron" last="Williams"] (2023, , L’Anse Creuse)</strong></p> <p>Williams showed out in his junior season, showing everyone that he should be mentioned along with the best. He’s a high level ball handler and a natural scorer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985661" first="Curtis" last="Williams"] (2023, SF, Brother Rice)</strong></p> <p>Williams is a highly regarded wing on a national scale. He has an elite combination of positional strength, shooting, and playmaking ability.</p> <h2>PLAYER OF THE YEAR</h2> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] (2023, PG, Grand Blanc)</strong></p> <p>After losing superstar <strong>Ty Rodgers</strong>, many wondered what this season’s Grand Blanc team and it’s star point guard would look like. Taylor and his team sent a message loud and clear. The Taylor led Grand Blanc squad reached the Division 1 state championship game where they fell in a tough contest with Warren De La Salle. Winning one is tough and winning a second and a row is way tougher. And they came so close. That tells you something about the players in the locker room. That’s where to start with Taylor. He’s a selfless lead guard and an asset on and off the court. Taylor is one of the better passers that you can find at the high school level and he seems to be able to get in sync and find a groove with his teammates. Taylor can play the game at any pace and can, and will, get buckets when his team needs them. </p>