Ferris Elite Camp: Fab Five Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stop two my GLIAC elite camp tour took me a little closer to home. About an hour up 131 to the national championship program at Ferris St. With a deep and talented field of 70 plus participants. Picking a top five is a difficult task. But I'm going to give it a shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438266' first='Joshua' last='Gibson'] 6-1 2025 Birmingham Groves </strong>What an absolute run Gibson has been on. Starting way back in the fall where he was one of the top performers at a Bank Hoops camp. To a productive regular season as a junior. However that was just to opening act to an absolute grassroots explosion. Led the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers'] with a mix of dynamic scoring and winning intangibles. I was talking with someone unaffiliated with the program early in the camp. The person was somewhat surprised with Gibson's slight physical appearance. I responded that they just needed to be patient and wait for the ball to tip during the 5-on-5 portion. He sure made me look smart. During scrimmages took over games the old fashioned way. Jumped passing lanes getting multiple steals. Turned defense into offense quickly and was assertive attacking the rim. Showed a nine floater that was hard to block due to his lift. Is a unique player because of his height. Can the production carry over the next level as a 6-1 two guard? The eye test certainly says yes. However it is also is nice when numbers back it up. Had the highest max vertical (11-2) of any guard at the camp. Also had a wing span (6-5) that surprised me and explained the outstanding defense. The production is starting to payoff. Earned an offer from the host school after the camp. That puts him up to three D2 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588174' first='Grady' last='Eklund'] 6-3 2026 Pewamo-Westphalia </strong>As scouts and parents, we're not supposed to have favorites. I think I have held up on the parenting front. However Eklund is fast becoming one of my favorites in the 2026 class. Has a nice mix of fundamentally sound play and next level athleticism. Plays with a mature level of patience and pace already. Doesn't force things or get pushed into tough spots. Showed it on a pair of pull up threes in transition. Probably not the best shot. But when the defense didn't close out calmly waited and sunk it. I like his positional versatility. Is a coaches son and plays like it. Showing plenty of point guard skills at an uncommon 6-3 height. However also has the athletic explosiveness to score from the wing. Athletically bested even Gibson with highest standing vertical of ALL players in the camp (30 inches) He is a big time high riser who also excels below the rim. You don't see that mix often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438243' first='Elija' last='Langston'] 6-8 2025 Muskegon </strong>That fact that Langston played well on Sunday is not surprising. He is a competitive and well coached post prospect. What was surprising was what the tape measure said. Came in with a 6-8 height and an equally eye opening 6-10 wingspan. When you hear those number one thinks of long lanky looking player. That is not Langston. Has a hulking and sculpted upper body with broad shoulders. Accordingly is an intimidating presence at the rim. Lived there offensively with plenty of tip ins and work on the offensive glass. Showed the expansion of his game with few mid range and baseline jumpers. Playing at one the high profile programs in the state. He is not intimidated by much and has been well tested his entire career. Earned an offer from the host school after the camp. Ferris has had success with players that fit his archetype in the past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Treyvon Miller 6-6 2026 St Paul's School (NH)/Lansing Waverly (MI) (pictured) </strong>A unique prospect in a wide variety of ways. Beyond the recent reclassification and move to a New England prep school. The Lansing bred prospect is a bit of throwback. While he is skilled. He gets a lot of his points in “old school” ways. Such as… simply beating your man down the court and rim running. Or how about this oldie but goodie… pinning your man down on the block with your backside and hitting a hook shot. You get the point. Nothing too flashy with this prospect. But highly productive and does a little bit of everything well. More than just a scorer. Passes well out of the high post and can initiate offense. Interesting to see how his recruitment looks after playing in New England.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112229' first='Hayden' last='Flavin'] 6-8 2026 Clarkston </strong>Speaking of “old school” big men. From the storied program that brought you the Nicholson brothers (Northwestern/Lake Superior St) Comes this imposing junior. No athletic testing needed here. Flavin is a big fundamentally sound post. Knows what his strengths are and plays to them. Appears to enjoy and seek out contact. Has a soft touch around the basket with good ball skills for size. Will probably need to increase his lift and lateral foot speed to take the next step in his development. However at 235 pounds I wouldn't call him slow. Sometimes game respects game. I asked a post player who played all top prospects during team camps who his most difficult matchup was. He cited Flavin. He said you simply couldn't move him or create any kind of space. In grassroots basketball, anchored a REACH squad that had a huge campaign on the New Balance circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->