Moneyball has not only grown into a popular clothing line in the Midwest, it has expanded into the AAU scene, putting on quality tournaments the past few years. Moneyball provided a good mix of established teams, as well as some upcoming teams within the state.
Day One:
1Nation 17u only came for one day, but left their mark on the tournament with strong performances from juniors Josh Davis and Bakari Evelyn. Davis, a 6’4″ wing guard, is one of the elite perimeter shooters in the state, with deep range on his three point jump shot. However, Davis scored the ball inside in traffic a few times, and was aggressive on the boards, even coming away with an impressive tip-dunk.
Evelyn, a 6’2″ point guard, shrugged off a sluggish start to the day in the team’s 100-34 win over Judges Court. Bakari can handle the ball with the best guards in the state, breaking down any defender, and getting into the lane. However, Evelyn had his jump shot going in the third game, as he hit six or seven threes, some were NBA range. With his perimeter game to keep defenders honest, Evelyn is at the top when talking about primier guards in Michigan.
Stars Basketball won the 16u section of the tournament, and it would’ve been hard to do so without the play of 6’8″ 2017 forward Donatus Eke. Eke was forced to sit out this season for U of D Jesuit after moving from Nigeria, but has improved tremendously since open gyms in the fall. On defense, Eke has the length to block any shot in his area, however, he also has the foot speed and awareness to close out on shooters and deflect shots, which he did throughout the day. Offensively, Eke is developing into a versatile forward. He showed flashes of being able to run pick-and-roll, and then impressively hitting a perimeter jump shot. Eke will no doubt be a force for years to come for not only the Stars, but U of D as a whole.
Reach 16u 6’3″ guard Tristan Jackson defines the term “combo guard.” He can do it all for a team. Score with or without the ball, rebound at a high level, facilitate the game as a point guard, or lockdown the opposing team’s best guard. He has a IQ, motor, and a poise to be a standout guard the remaining portion of AAU and into the high school season.
Day Two:
Saginaw Top Dawgs 17u 6’5″ wing Da’Qavion Johnson played well throughout the tournament, but shined in the teams loss vs. Reach in the quarterfinals, where he had 30 points. Johnson, has the size, length, and ball skills to attack the lane and finish around the rim. But the ability to consistently make threes is what makes Da’Qavion an interesting prospect. He rebounds the ball well for his position, and currently has an offer from Northwood (MI).
Michigan Playmakers 17u received a pleasant surprise from 6’5″ forward Andrae Powell L’Anse Creuse North. Powell looked to assert himself throughout the day on offensive, playing with an added aggressiveness compared to tournaments earlier in the Spring. The lefty played on the perimeter a bit hitting a few corner threes throughout the two games played on the day, got some and ones at the rim, and came up with a few clutch baskets (offensive putbacks) when his team needed them the most.
Michigan Mustangs- Woodruff 16u’s Qua Burks played well in team’s game vs. fellow Mustangs despite his team coming up short. It is hard to label Burks a position on the floor, maybe his title could be athlete like in football. At 6’3″ Qua has the size of the guard, but the body of a center. He’s versatile due the fact he can step out shoot a three, and then bang down low for contested layup. He rarely takes plays off, plays with a high IQ for the game, and competes with Flint Beecher heart and toughness.
Other standouts:
Andia Marsh (Michigan United 17u)
Billy Thomas (Stars Basketball 16u)
Bryce Windham (Michigan United 17u)
Brian Walker (Michigan United 17u)
Michael Edwards (Michigan United 17u)
The Prep Ball Report 
What about El Malik Martin with the playmakers 17u had a double double w/ assists which RARELY happens in 17u most of Powell’s 3’s came from his penetration