The future of Michigan basketball is here. The class of 2017 already holds two players with mid and high major offers, Brian Bowen and Jermaine Jackson, but overall, the class is loaded with talent. From the Motor City, all the way to the western part of the state, Michigan’s incoming freshmen are ready to start their high school careers off with a force this upcoming season.
1. Brain Bowen 6’5″ SF Saginaw Arthur Hill
2. Jermaine Jackson 5’6″ PG Mt. Clemens
3. William Weems 6’7″ SF Detroit Western
4. Xavier Tillman 6’5″ SF Forest Hills Central
5. Donatus Eke 6’9″ C University of Detroit Jesuit
6. Armonee Felder 5’9″ PG Detroit Pershing
7. Donnie Tillman 6’5″ SF Detroit Cass Tech
8. Jack Ballantyne 6’5″ SF Warren De La Salle
9. Brock Washington 6’3″ SG Southfield Christian
10.Jaron Faulds 6’8″ PF Holt
11. Isaiah Livers 6’5″ SF Kalamazoo Central
12. Qua Southward 5’9″ PG Saginaw High School
13. Christian Rodriguez 5’8″ PG Wyoming Godwin Heights
14. Dylan Anderson 6’3″ combo guard Davidson
15. Elijah Smith 6’5″ SF Detroit Loyola
16. Michael Gregory 6’8″ SF/PF University of Detroit Jesuit
Call him a late-bloomer, but Canton 6’8″ 2014 forward Jordan Nobles can play. Already Canton’s leading shot blocker is the school’s history with still a senior season to go, Jordan has decided to take his talents to the Eagles of Eastern Michigan University to play for coach Rob Murphy.
Nobles made a name for himself during the AAU circuit with the Michigan Warriors. The wing forward is long and extra lanky, but he can also jump out of the gym if needed. He is one of those unique forwards that can step out and shoot a free-throw line extended jumper, and then finish one at the rake on a defender using his left hand at the rim. Runs the floor very well, and has improved on ball handling and adding muscle over the offseason.
“The atmosphere was great,” Nobles had to say about Eastern Michigan while on his official visit while he committed, “the players and coaches were cool, and the campus is nice.”
The Eagles, under head coach Rob Murphy, have made tremendous strides during his first two years at the helm. A winner of two state championships while the head man at Detroit Crockett and Central, in his inaugural first season led the Eagles to the 2011-2012 MAC West division championship, and was named MAC coach of the year.
It is clear that the atmosphere surrounding EMU has changed under the new coaching staff, which has impacted recruiting for the Eagles. “The program is very family oriented, which I like,” Jordan went onto say, “[it] is a very close knit group of guys.” Nobles stated that he will come in as a freshman, and will be ready to make an immediate impact on the team, playing a three or wing position.
Jordan still has one year of eligibility left at Canton, and he and fellow Chiefs are ready to contend in the KLAA conference this upcoming season.
Although the class of 2014 in Michigan has lost a few players deciding on choosing the prep school route, the class still runs deep with talent and depth. The list contains ESPN nationally ranked players, and runs all the ways to players wanting to make a name for themselves in their last season of high school basketball. Your’s truly and fellow rising prep reporter Jeff McKinney have compiled a list that represents the best of what the State of Michigan has to offer in terms of senior basketball talent.
1. Edmond Sumner 6’4″ PG Country Day (Verbal to Xavier)
2. Justin Tillman 6’8″ PF Detroit Pershing (Verbal to VCU)
3. Jaylen Johnson 6’8″ PF Ypsilanti (Verbal to Louisville)
4. Darrell Davis 6’4″ combo guard Detroit Douglass (Verbal to Dayton)
5. Yante Maten 6’8″ PF Bloomfield Hills
6. Marqywell Jackson 6’6″ wing East English Village
7. Aaron Foster-Smith 6’7″ PF Taylor Truman (Verbal to U of D Mercy)
8. Luke Meyer 6’9″ PF Addison (Verbal to CMU)
9. Ja’Christian Biles 6’2″ SG Oak Park (Verbal to Youngstown State)
10. Mory Diane 6’3″ wing Detroit Pershing (Verbal to Buffalo)
11. Deshawn Thrower 6’0″ PG Muskegon (Verbal to Stoney Brook)
12. Tyrone Acuff 6’6″ wing Detroit King
13. Kenny Carpenter 6’4″ wing Detroit Cass Tech
14. Mike Laster 6’4″ wing Detroit Cass Tech
15. Justice Green 6’0″ PG Flint Carmen-Ainsworth
16. Leonard Harper-Baker 6’5″ wing Detroit Southeastern
17. Rashaud Orange 6’4″ SF Grand Rapids Innovation Central
18. Darryl Bigham 6’4″ SF Detroit Southeastern
19. Jaleel Hogan 6’7″ PF Mt. Pleasant (Verbal to U of D Mercy)
20. Terrell Hales 6’4″ combo guard Detroit Douglass (Verbal to Cleveland State)
21. Jordan Nobles 6’8″ wing Canton
22. Darohn Scott 6’8″ PF Grand Rapids Christian
23. Juwan Clark 6’2″ PG Romulus
24. Martel Handley 6’1″ SF Saginaw Arthur Hill
25. Kris Clyburn 6’4″ SG Romulus
26. Khadim Dieng 7’0″ forward Grand Rapids Northpointe Christian
27. Lindsey Hunter IV 5’1″ PG Southfield Christian
Although Mt. Pleasant does not have a history as a hotbed for boys basketball recruiting in Michigan, the Oilers have themselves a stud in 6’7″ 2014 forward Jaleel Hogan. Hogan, a member of the HoopGrind AAU squad, made a name for himself during the July live evaluation period, averaging an astonishing 22 points, and ten rebounds a game in three tournaments.
Jaleel might look more like an offensive lineman when you take a first glance at him, but after a couple minutes of hoops he shows that he has basketball skills. Playing as an undersized power forward, Jaleel owned almost every paint he played in over the summer. Jaleel has the type of high motor Horizon League schools look for with the ability to play above the rim as well. Possesses a deceptive and quick vertical for his size that allows him to dunk a ball down a defender’s throat with authority. But when he is not shoving the ball down the basket, Jaleel has nice soft hands that allow him to catch and finish a majority of the passes that are thrown his way.
Besides of what he does on the basketball court, U of D is getting a high character player that will not bring any trouble to a coaching staff. Jaleel reportedly went into another Michigan AAU team’s locker room at a tournament and wished them luck to bring home a title back to the state. If that is not good sportsmanship I don’t know what is. We hear all about the fights between teams and arguing with officials, but it is nice to know that their is a young man who carries himself the way Jaleel does both on-and-off the basketball court.
Jaleel is now the second commit for the Titans’ 2014 recruiting class, the other being Taylor Truman’s Aaron Foster-Smith.
As first reported by the New England Recruiting Report, Detroit Douglass PF Andre Frederick has decided to head to Hand (CT) before attending Robert Morris for college. Frederick played a key role in his junior season for Douglass en route to the Hurricane’s city final four appearance. The 6’8″ big man was one the states’ most feared shot blockers heading into his senior season. Fredreick has the quick feet to cover both the paint and perimeter, and long arms a coach looks for to deflect shots. Although he has not yet reached his whole potential on offense, Frederick has a big frame and wide shoulders who is not afraid to throw one down on you when he gets a chance.
This is a huge loss for the Hurricanes, who have hopes of cutting the nets down at the Breslin Center this March. However, Douglass will still be contenders in Class B with division one recruits Darrell Davis (Dayton), and Terrell Hales (Cleveland State).
After a big Spring and July with Dorian’s Pride 16U, Ann Arbor Huron 2015 wing Xavier Cochran has received his first offer, coming from the Rams of Rhode Island.
“It feels really great to get that first one, especially from a program like Rhode Island” Xavier had to say about the offer, “I like how the coaching staff puts their players first before anything and how engaged they.”
Xavier can be described as a matchup nightmare on the floor. He has the passing skills of a point guard, the scoring ability of an off-guard, and the ability to attack the basket like a wing. He is quick, pushes the ball in transition, and can make acrobatic finishes around the basket.
Schools also recruiting Cochran include, just about every MAC school, Iowa, Xavier, VCU, and Butler. Although he is a long way from selecting favorites, Xavier knows what he is looking for in a school. “I want to go to a place that plays an up tempo system, and somewhere where I will be able to contribute right away.”
Look for Cochran to take a few more visits before the season stars, and haul in a few more offers.
High school and AAU teammates Nick Perkins and Latin Davis of Milan High School have both risen on the Michigan’s 2015 rankings list over the past few months during the summer playing for The Program Elite 16u. Now, heading into their junior season’s, scholarship offers from colleges are starting to roll in.
Perkins, a 6’8″ forward who already has offers from MAC schools Toledo and Buffalo, recently received an offer from Kent State after the Golden Flashes stopped in at Milan for a workout. Nick is a big bodied 4 that is hard to contain down low in the post once he gets in a rhythm offensively. He has a beautiful left handed hook shoot, moves well horizontally and fights well for position on rebounds, and competes hard on both sides of the floor. Perkins brings a high motor and intensity, and will become harder to defend when his right hand gets as developed as his left.
Latin, the 5’10” point, received his first offer from Kent State after receiving interest from several Horizon and MAC schools. Davis is another competitor for Milan that plays bigger than he looks. The shifty, unselfish point guard is a coaches dream on the floor. He is always looking to set up other teammates, whether it be on the break or in the half-court set. But Latin can score as well. He is not afraid to drive the lane against bigger players down low, likes to score in bunches, and has a quick first step to get around defenders. Improved his jump shot tremendously over the Summer which kept defenders honest.
The Big Reds fell to Romulus last year in the regionals, but look for Perkins and Latin to both have big seasons and potentially lead Milan to the Breslin Center to compete for a Class A championship.
Canton High School. Michigan Warriors. Class of 2014 (senior).
• Players you try to model your game after?
Players that I try to model my game after are Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady, and Carmelo Anthony. I think I have the same body type as Durant and T mac so I watch how they use their bodies to their advantage. I love how physical Carmelo is in the low post area. I try to duplicate their games when I play.
• Important Stats
I need 65 blocks this season to be the all-time leader at Canton. I averaged 11 pts., 6 rebs, and just about 3 blocks a game last season.
• Most memorable game in your career so far?
Most memorable game was by far the triple overtime game vs. John Glenn last year. I played my best game of the season that night and it was just a fun game to be a part of and of course winning helps.
• Colleges that you would like to attend?
I don’t have target school. I just want to go somewhere that I feel is right for me on and off the court.
• Colleges that have shown interest in you so far?
U of D, UMass-Lowell, LIU Brooklyn, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Youngstown St, Central Connecticut, Grand Valley St.
• What makes you unique from other players at your position?
I think what makes me unique from others at my position is that I bring a different skill set. I can play & guard the 3 spot down to the 5 spot. I can bring the big guys out to guard me on the perimeter and take the little guys down under the basket. Also I have a need for competition. I won’t back don’t from a battle.
• Strengths and areas you are improving in?
The main thing coaches have been saying to me is that I have to put on weight. So I have been in the weight room trying to get bigger. I’ve also been working on my ball handling skills a lot this summer.
• How did the offseason go?
I had a pretty good first half of the summer circuit. I was playing really well and more and more coaches were starting to gain interest. The second half of the summer circuit, I fell off a little. I had a sprained ankle for most of the month of July. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play in the big tournaments in Milwaukee & Las Vegas so I tried my best to play through the injury.
• Goals for the upcoming season?
Goals for this season are to go beyond what we did last year. We had one of the best seasons in Canton basketball history last year. At one point of the season we were on a 13 game win streak. We won our division, Conference, and our district. We also went 5-0 over our rivals Plymouth & Salem. Last season was great, but I want more this season.
• What role do you see yourself having this year for your team?
I have the lead role on my team this season. I’ve been on the team the longest, I’ve played the most games and people look up to me. This is my last year of high school basketball, I have to show the younger guys how to do what needs to be done. I accept all responsibility for how we do this year.
• What will a coach be getting out of you at the next level?
He will get a savvy, hardworking player with a great motor and the will to win, and even a better person.
• What will will go into your decision about choosing a college?
Things that have gone into my college decision are class size. I tend to have a better time learning in a smaller environment. Also the campus lifestyle. I have to like where I plan to be for the next 4 years or more. And of course a winning basketball program with a great coaching staff.
• Most influential person in your life? Why
My brother is the most influential person in my life. He’s 7 years older than me and he’s been through this recruiting process before. He played for Detroit country day and won a state championship in 2007, his senior year. He’s played college basketball and teaches me a lot of things on and off the court. I know when I need someone to talk to or if I’m stuck in a situation, I can call my brother and he’ll also be there for me.
• Legacy you want to leave at your school?
I go to a “football school” so the thing I would love to leave Canton with is for the school to be recognize for its basketball program.
• Colleges that have shown interest in you so far?
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is the only D1 but I have a lot of D2 schools.
• What makes you unique from other players at your position?
I am a big guard that can handle the ball and play the off the ball really well. Also very athletic for a point guard.
• Strengths and areas you are improving in?
Need to get better at everything. Basketball is a game were everything needs to be great to be dominate.
• How did the offseason go?
Well honestly I have no offseason, I’m in the gym everyday no matter what but it went well during the summer. I worked on my game everyday and developed a lot. I also got some college interest this summer at camps.
• Goals for the upcoming season?
Definitely a state championship.
• What role do you see your self having this year for your team?
Being a leader on the floor as a senior and being a primary scorer.
• What will a coach be getting out of you at the next level?
He will be getting someone who loves the game and is ready to work and do what ever he needs me to do.
• What will go into your decision about choosing a college?
A school with a great education and good basketball program. Also I want to go to a place were it feels like home.
• Most influential person in your life? Why?
My dad because he has believed in me since day one. I’m very under the radar and he tells me keep working and your time will come. I feel this year I will breakout.
• Legacy you want to leave at your school?
First team to win a state championship and to be known as a great person on and off the court.
• Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Have either played overseas or in the NBA and have a college degree.
No we did not go through the drive through at McDonalds, but the state of Michigan had a pair of 2014 combo guards commit to division one schools in a span of two days. Muskegon’s Deshaun Thrower says he will be attending Stoney Brook, and Frederick Douglass’ Darrell Davis gave a verbal commit to the Flyers of Dayton.
Darrell is a tall, long, lanky guard that saw his recruiting stock rise during the July live period of AAU basketball. The 6’4″ 170 pound Davis is truly an explosive offense weapon. Darrell can flat out score the rock from anywhere on the floor. You name an offensive skill he probably has it. Whether it be the mid-range, three point range, pull-up jumpshot, attacking the basket with either hand, but more importantly, he has great court vision for a lead guard. Darrell is always looking to find an open teammate and drops a beautiful pass in the process. Darrell took an official visit down Dayton over this past weekend and committed on site to the Flyers. Davis can now turn his attention to the high school regular season with his Hurricanes, who are one of the favorites to win the Class B crown.
Deshaun Thrower hails from the Big Reds of Muskegon High School. Thrower is also the starting quarterback from Muskegon who could very easily win the division two football crown. Although Deshaun will play basketball at the next level, don’t think he will not use the skills he used on gridiron on the hardwood at Stoney Brook. Deshaun is one of the most competitive kids in the State of Michigan. Nothing ever seems to phase him, whether things are going his team’s way or not, he keeps a calm and cool quarterback’s poise out on the floor. Thrower’s individual skill set can be compared to Flint’s and Michigan State’s own Mateen Cleaves. Similar to Mateen, Thrower is a strong and explosive guard that brings it on every play during the game on defense and offense. He can lower the shoulder and get to the basket at anytime on a defender, likes to push the ball on the break, and has great court vision for a guard. He also has tremendous lateral foot speed on defense which can be accreditied to him playing defensive back on the football team as well. UIC, Northern Michigan, and Stoney Brook were the only schools to offer Thrower a scholarship, who decided on the Seawolves at a visit over the weekend as well.
The future of Michigan basketball is here. The class of 2017 already holds two players with mid and high major offers, Brian Bowen and Jermaine Jackson, but overall, the class is loaded with talent. From the Motor City, all the way to the western part of the state, Michigan’s incoming freshmen are ready to start their high school careers off with a force this upcoming season.
The Prep Ball Report 