The Prep Ball Report

Sean Cobb 6’6″ forward 15u Michigan Mustangs-Haney-

Cobb is buckets and rebounds; there has been no viewing this year where he has not had at least a double-double.  Cobb is versatile and offensively skilled, he can shoot a bit up to 18 feet, but scores most of his points in the paint; where he displays soft balance and touch with either hand and the ability to go over either shoulder if in the post.  There is this sense of smoothness and ease with everything Cobb does, his footwork is stellar, already has a nice build, and is unselfish with the ball.  In a close AM loss, his team scored a mere 30 points, and Cobb had to at least have 20.

Jaron Faulds 6’10” forward The Family-

Jaron has pulled double-duty so far at the 2015 GRBA Nationals, playing with both The Family 16 and 17u.  It really doesn’t matter what age he’s been at, Faulds has been producing in-front of state powers Michigan and Michigan State.  He routinely has been the best big on the floor, rebounding everything in the paint due to his freakish length, and willingness to battle.  Faulds seals and gets excellent position on offense for his guards to get him the ball, make a power-move and finish, but his jump hooks with either shoulder have been money thus far.

Andy Milikan 5’11” guard 15u Judges Court-

Milikan had one of two 41 point performances by 2018 guards from Michigan on the day.  To be fair, the viewing I saw was not the 41 point performance; but it comes as no surprise for a player with the skill level as him.  A true combo guard that can score or run the show, Milikan is one of the few players on his team that has played varsity competition before, and it shows.  He is never stagnant offensively or defensively.  Coaches would love to watch the way he understands defensive rotations when he jumps and recovers to cut driving opportunities to the basket.  In addition to his defensive ability, Andy is also a knockdown shooter.  He has great footwork, form, range, and consistency.  Just one of those players you want on your team.

Brandon Wade 5’11” point guard 15u Michigan Gators-

The other 41 point performance on Friday was by Brandon.  Him and backcourt friend Jack Ammerman combined for 65 of the Gators’ 71 points.  Although he concluded the game with six threes, in the first half, he got into a rhythm by attacking the basket due to superior strength than any of the Mustang-Vallar guards.  He then expanded his range in the second-half and had four trifectas in the second.  If his perimeter jumper comes constant and opponents have to respect that aspect of his game, there will be few that will be able to totally stop him.

Jack Ammerman 5’9″ shooting guard 15u Michigan Gators-

Jack is the perfect complement to a guard with Brandon’s skill-set.  When Brandon drives to the basket, and the help comes, he can kick out to Jack; splash.  For one good stretch late in the second-half Jack would not miss.  However, he’s not solely a three-point specialist, he has a nice mid-range game and pull-up if the three isn’t there.

Amauri Hardy 6’3″ guard 17u The Family-

When Amauri keeps it simple, he is good as any guard in the class of 2017.  He has such a strong build and frame for an off-scoring guard that allows him to take hits and bounce right-back up off the floor.  Hardy was right there to lead the team when consensus top 30 point guard prospect Cassius Winston had an uncharacteristic, by his normal standards, game against Spiece Indy Heat.  Hardy led the way with 21, and a nice amount of rebounds as well.

Other standouts:

Lamar Norman 6’0″ off-guard 15u Michigan Mustangs-Vallar- 

Didn’t come up with this comparison, but the more Norman plays, the more he is reminiscent of a Monte Ellis.  Quick, explosive, and streaky.  He can get into zones from the perimeter where he just doesn’t miss; and his transition slashing ability is another strength for him.  Still, would like to see him become a consistent option in the half-court when the games slows down.

P.J. Mitchell 5’10” point guard 15u The Family-

Mitchell didn’t just shoot the ball well on Friday, he has so throughout the tournament.  When he gets his feet square and raises, he can become automatic with a quick release.  A natural-born leader on both ends of the floor, P.J. can run either a transition style or half-court offense effectively as a pass first guard.  Quick enough to get into the lane, but at this point looks more like a creator than scorer amongst larger defenders.  Pairs well with Julian Dozier to give The Family a deadly one-two punch.

Julian Dozier 5’9″ point 15u The Family-

In addition to Mitchell’s 20 points in a victory against the Illinois Wolves, Dozier was right there next to him; Mitchell and Dozier concluded the contest with a combined eight threes.  Dozier however has those awkward in-between/flip shots down pat where he attempts to avoid shot-blockers.  Dozier wants to make the right decisions on offense, although some of his passes were just a tad late that resulted in turnovers.  He should develop some seasoning over the high school season where those once turnovers will become dimes.

Zeale McCullough 6’5″ forward 17u Triple-Threat-

Quiet and goes about his business.  McCullough isn’t the first, second, or third option on his team, but somehow and way produces.  He plays with a good feel for a forward whose guards like to score the ball more than create.  McCullough has some range to his game; one 25 footer stands out the most.  An overall plus athlete and leaper, Zeale has mastered the lost art of boxing out, and two-hand rebounding.  He’s solid for the first rotation on defense.  He is however far from a finished product.

Tags: Spiece

It’s not the Spiece Run-n-Slam, but the GRBA Nationals held at the legendary Spiece Fieldhouse is a plus event for Michigan teams to end the grassroots circuit.  Michigan teams went a combined 15-11 on opening night.

Goliath Mitchell 5’10” point guard Mustangs-Faletti 15u-

On a team with as much individual talent as the Mustangs, Goliath is often overlooked and undervalued.  He comes off the bench, but gives his team starters caliber minutes and production.  A pure point guard by nature, Goliath is pass-first, and likes to get everybody involved.  He made some nice 15-20 foot jumpers in the first-half to get his team going, then dished it out in the second.  He’s also a plus defender, with quick feet and awareness.  He checked the opposing team’s best player that was lighting the Mustangs up for three after three in the first half.  Once Goliath started guarding him, lets just say he only made one three-pointer after.

Zavon Godwin 6’5″ wing Mustangs-Faletti 15u-

Godwin was forced to play more of a four and even a five position on an undersized Mustang roster.  He didn’t pout, and produced double-digit points.  The Mustangs placed him at the free-throw line where he was able to catch, face, and display strong body control to finish with his right hand with defenders draped all around him.  Then in the second half, he showed his perimeter skills burying two threes in less than three minutes.  If he is going to defend the paint, post defense will have to improve with technique and strength.

Jaron Faulds 6’10” forward The Family 16u-

Can’t teach 6’10.”  Faulds dominated MBA Select for an easy double-double in a blowout victory for The Family.  Jaron boxes-out and uses length to get to every rebound in his area.  On offense, he seals his man with his giant frame, then can shoot hook shots with both hands after receiving the entry pass due to soft hands, and a huge catch radius.  A Michigan assistant viewed one half.

Alec Anderson 6’3″ guard Common Bond 16u-

Anderson is one of those players that doesn’t do one thing exceptionally well, he’s an overall strong player a team can do a lot with.  He sets screens on offense, rebounds, blocks shots, plays defense, and is a plus athlete; a true stat-sheet stuffer.  Down the stretch in a tight game for his team, Anderson made tough drive after tough drive to the basket giving Common Bond the edge in an opening night victory.

Tags: Spiece