I watched a lot of Class of 2029 action at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run N Slam and McDaniel may have been the best guard at the event. The 5’11” playmaker poured in 29 points to win the 15u championship against All Ohio – Baneville. He has the ball on a string, can make any pass at any time, and obviously knows how to score it as well. Thomas is absolutely one to watch in Michigan’s current freshman class.

Toe-to-toe, Jordan might’ve been the best isolation scorer in the building for his class. He scored a game-high 30 PTS against a talented 3SSB squad to lead The Family 15U to victory in their final contest of the weekend. Good things followed suit when the ball was in his hands thanks to advanced decision-making going downhill. Jordan led stretches of what seemed like layup after layup regardless of if he had to extend his reach to complete the bucket or finish through contact. He also proved that he could finish with both hands at a very high level. Beyond scoring, Jordan notably secured a 50-50 ball that surely seemed as if it would go out of bounds, showcasing great body control and court awareness.

Brother Rice topped Groves by a score of 72-52. The electric guard is a key part of a team that I believe has Breslin Center type of talent. McDaniel showed his explosiveness with a 19 point and 4 assist performance. Not many freshman can put up those types of numbers come playoff time.

McDaniel played a key role in Brother Rice’s victory, playing the game just across the parking lot from their high school. An incredibly skilled guard, McDaniel was able to get where he wanted to off the dribble and made some impressive perimeter shots. I was very impressed with McDaniel’s ball skills, quickly gaining control of the basketball to push it up the court and able to change directions quickly on the ball. McDaniel also made himself available after his taller teammates secured offensive rebounds, scoring a few times off second chance opportunities. Defensively, McDaniel wants to guard the opposing ball handler and try and force turnovers. Very impressive freshman point guard who has an extremely bright future and is already impactful against top high school teams in the region.

McDaniel has some scary upside to his game. He already has a ton of poise for a freshman. In a HUGE game against Rockford, he was unshakable, even as a guard that saw the ball and decisions in his hands. McDaniel has elite handle and was able to consistently attack the rim and finish in traffic,

The Brother Rice freshman had a memorable opener to his high school career. His team looked the part of a state title contender in game 1, winning against Ferndale by a score of 87-59. McDaniel is one of the most talented freshman in the state and he gave a glimpse of that last night. He finished the game with 24 points, 5 assists and 4 boards.

McDaniel will be fun to watch this season and I’m sure there will be tons of reviews over the years. He’s what I’d call quick and slick with the ball in his hands. McDaniel can attack with the ball either direction and can already finish with both hands. He can even dribble into a 3.

Jordan is a walking highlight reel, electrifying every game with his dynamic skill set and flair for the spectacular. He has deep range on his three-point shot, making him a constant threat from beyond the arc, and pairs that with elite court vision and passing ability that sets his teammates up for easy buckets. Whether it’s a no-look dime or a step-back triple, Jordan plays with confidence and poise beyond his years. His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed—he recently earned his first Division I offer, a testament to his hard work and rising stock in the basketball world.

McDaniel has been making a lot of noise lately. It’s become clear that he’s one of the most talented and high school ready freshman guards in the state. McDaniel is electric with the ball in his hands and attacks with fluidity from left to right. He can glide into a pull up jumper and walk into a triple try.