Michigan Class of 2013 Receiving NBA Caliber Recognition

17 Oct

matthewsIn Michigan’s class of 2013, more than twenty players committed to division one schools.  With just one year of college on their resume, a few have appealed to become very promising NBA prospects in the future.

According to NBADraft.net, three members of the class of 2013 are ranked top 50 sophomores for the national class of 2017.  Rhode Island’s EC Matthews, Iowa State’s Monte Morris, and Michigan’s Derek Walton.

The highest was EC Matthews at number 7, a 6’5″ 190 pound combo guard.  In his freshman season, EC averaged 14 points, and four rebounds a game for the Rams while playing more than 30 minutes each contest.  Matthews guided Romulus High School to the 2013 Class A state as a senior.

 

Coming in at 30, was Michigan’s Derrick Walton Jr.  Walton started 36 of the 37 games for the Wolverines his freshman campaign, averaging 7.9 points a game, and three rebounds and assists as well.  Walton attended Chandler Park Academy for high school and played under his 20131203_Derrick_Walton_shoots_against_Jabari_Parkerdad.  A four year varsity participant, Walton received the Michigan Gatorade National Player of the year award his senior season, where he averaged  26 points, seven points and steals a contest.

Number 45 on the list is Monte Morris.  Morris played in all 36 games for the Big 12 champions Iowa State, starting the last 17 contests.  Morris averaged seven points, three rebounds a game his freshman season, and broke the record with 4.79 assist to turnover ratio.  Morris came to Iowa State after a successful prep career at Flint Beecher, capturing two consecutive Class C titles his junior and senior campaigns, culminating with the state’s Mr. Basketball Award his senior season.

 

 

 

 

8030804For a complete list of the t0p 50 sophomores in NCAA division one basketball, please click here

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Allen Academy’s Danny Pippen and Jason Williams are “Detroit’s Best Kept Secret”

14 Oct

IMG_0924-1Charter schools are abundant in Michigan, and particularly in the City of Detroit.    A charter school is an independently run public school given flexibility in its operations, in return accountability for performance. The “charter” is the contract detailing the school’s mission, programs, students served, performance goals, and methods of assessment.

Detroit Allen Academy is one of many charter schools located in Detroit.  The schools sits at the corner of Quincey and Blaine Street on the city’s east side.  A K-12 school, the Wildcats compete in Class C for athletics with an enrollment just barely over 250 in the high school.

Craig Covington Junior is entering his second season as the head coach at Allen Academy.   After coaching for 20+ years out of state, Coach Covington inherited a 13-8 squad, and upped their win total total nine games to 22, as well as capturing a district championship, and a spot in a regional final.

Finding talent in Detroit can be difficult.  Established basketball programs like Pershing, Cass Tech, and Renaissance routinely receive the cities coveted talent pool, leaving it hard for Allen Academy to form an identity athletically.  However, Allen is unique because they are K-12, and start basketball in the elementary school.

“Any time you are the small fish in the big pond,” Covington notes, “it is going to be difficult.  But at Allen Academy a K-12 school with basketball starting with 3rd grade, it’s kind of fun watching your players develop through the elementary and middle school years.”

dannyThen the hard part comes, convincing the athletes to stay for high school.  Family is just as much a part of the Wildcat program as any drill, or offensive play they run.  Covington learned how to develop relationships with his players by watching his father, Craig Covington Senior, who is now the head man at Detroit’s Marygrove College, growing up.  And while Covington values his relationships with all players on his team, he has built a true bond with juniors Danny Pippen, and Jason Williams.

Pippen and Williams have known each other well before high school started, they met one another at a neighborhood Boys and Girls Club.  Jason said he came to Allen Academy to play with his older cousin, Pakiya Ellis, now at Ferris State, while Danny came for the experience of a smaller school with the opportunity to play right away.  After their freshman seasons, Coach Covington was hired.  Danny decided to stay, but it took some consideration on Jason’s part not to transfer.  Coach and player relationships, especially in the early stages, are going to be difficult, full of misunderstandings.  Relationships grow and Danny, Jason, and Coach Covington, have all genuinely developed a relationship that extends deeper than basketball.

“In this year,” Covington says, “I believe I have become very close with both Danny and Jason.  Not just as a player/coach but as a young man/older man.  I believe they understand that there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for them or any other player in the program for them to become successful.”

The relationship can be seen in the results on the court.  At 5’10” Jason has developed into an elite scoring option as a combo guard with college interest, while Danny has already received collegiate offers.  At 6’7″ Pippen streches the floor with his perimeter skills, and is a dangerous weapon when he combines an inside presence with three-point range.    Danny and Jason could easily be complaisant given their basketball gifts, however both acknowledge Coach Covington’s commitment to strive beyond average, but to be excellent, and to appreciate the mentality of hard work.

“Coach Covington has pushed me to limits I have never been pushed to before,” Danny notes.  While Jason added he has improved on defense, and becoming vocal leader for the team.

Covington speaks highly of his players athletic skills, but even higher does he speaks of his players off the court characteristics.  He called Danny and Jason “Detroit’s Best Kept Secret” because he admires how they carry themselves as young men within the school, classroom, community, and on the team.  Class C schools draw minimal interests from the media, college coaches, and hoop fans.  Danny and Jason embrace the title their coach has given them, it only gives the duo a greater amount of motivation to compete in Michigan’s most populated city as the proverbial “underdog.”

“I think it means we are the best many people don’t know about,” Jason chimed in, “and it’s time for us to put Allen Academy on in Detroit, as well as the State of Michigan basketball scene.”

Gone from a year ago is Pakiya Ellis, a guard who scored over 1,000 point in his high school career, and later went onto commit to Ferris State.  Allen Academy is among the pre-season favorites to capture Class C this season.  Danny and Jason will be counted upon heavily if the Wildcats are going to march to the Breslin Center this Winter.  Chemistry goes a long way in developing a winning basketball team, and despite the loss of a leader Ellis was, Pippen and Williams are confident the bond they have built with each other, and Coach Covington, separates them from any opposition they will face both on the hardwood this season, and in the endeavors life has to offer them.

“We have great chemistry…,” Danny added, “even though sometimes we (Jason and Coach Covington) don’t see eye to eye, but we both have a passion to win. We understand how each other plays and we will be able to rely on one another during the rough times because we have been together so long.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Owens Community College Midwest JuCo Jamboree Recap

13 Oct

OCC136ElectricE divideThe second annual Owens Community College Jamboree is one of the premier exposure opportunities in the midwest for JUCO talent.  Teams from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania were all in attendance, and made for a great day of college hoops.

Tre’Vion Crews 6’1″ Point Guard Jackson College

Crews set the tempo all day long for Jackson.  He is a unique combination of size, speed, and athleticism at the guard position.  Crews can run the show when needed, with a strong handle, court vision, passing ability and quickness to attack the lane and find teammates.  However, he can score as well, finishing around the basket, and hit a few mid-range and three pointers on the day.  Tre’Vion was also very active on the defensive end, he anticipated passes well leading to easy scoring opportunities for Jackson on the break, and also applied good on-ball pressure on opponents.

Schoolcraft Loaded With Talent

It was a tough day for Schoolcraft, going 1-2 on the day, which is expected of a team only being together for roughly a few months.  However, the Ocelots showed flashes at times of a promising future.  The man who caught the attention of all the collegiate coaches in attendance was Oak Park 2014 graduate Ja’Christian Biles.  At 6’1″ Biles is an electric above the rim finisher who brought down several high-flying dunks on the day.  A high-volume perimeter scorer, Biles will pair nicely with 6’2″ sophomore guard Lorenzo Collier, Collier hit a few threes on the day, and should develop into a solid scorer as the season progresses.

Up front for Schoolcraft, 6’8″ forward Anthony Wartley-Fritz was a pleasant surprise.  Big Wart looked more comfortable and in control with his back to the basket on the low block, with improved footwork for the 2014 Taylor Truman Cougar.  He’s isn’t going to jump out of the gym, but the athleticism of the team up front will be left up to 6’8″ +s Kaion Seales and James Pruitt, the three are still building rebounding and defensively chemistry, but will be tough to handle the day they figure it out.

Owens Express Talented Again

The host school did not disappoint with three solid performances on the day.  At times, Owens looked like they could challenge a quality D2 program at the very least.  5’7″ sophomore point guard Shaakir Lindsay is hard to find on the court, he’s a pass first point guard combined with a speedy handle that can spot teammates in drive and dish situations.  6’4″ wing guard John Murray complements Lindsay as a reliable go to scorer with playmaking ability on the perimeter.  His length, and size make Murray a potentially promising 1-on-1 defender.

Down low for Owens, the Express have 6’7″ forward Kenny Jones.  Jones is stuck in the proverbial “tweener” category.  Regardless, few at the Jamboree produced better than Jones in the paint.  Kenny was able to rebound against taller and stronger opponents, challenge shots, run the floor and push the ball up the court like the guard, and throw down some wicked dunks.  Jones was tracked by a multitude of coaches on the day’s action.

Delta College a Sleeper in Michigan

First year head coach Kyle Blackbourn has made upgrades to the Pioneers program.  Delta played with a chip on their shoulder the whole day, playing stifling defense, getting on the floor for balls, and feeding off of each teammate’s individual performances leading to a 3-0 performance at the Jamboree.  Delta is solid all around the court.  6’1″ freshman Markel Bradshaw comes from a winning high school program in Saginaw High, so it’s almost a given Bradshaw is going to play with passion and confidence any time he’s running point guard for Delta.  6’2″ off-guard Julian Henderson gives Delta a perimeter scorer with slashing potential, Justin Person can handle the ball a bit, but hit some threes off the bounce on the day.  6’7″ sophomore Chris Chrzan gives the Pioneers a stretch-four potential, 6’5″ Travon Cotton brings toughness as an undersized power forward, and 6’1″ Davian Phillips and 6’5″ Gabe Blalock gave Delta quality minutes off the bench.  If Delta continues to improve in the pre-season, the Pioneers are interesting contenders in the MCCAA conference this season.

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West Bloomfield’s Zach Allread Commits to Northwood

12 Oct

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West Bloomfield 6’7″ senior Zach Allread was perhaps one of the best forwards in Michigan who received the least amount of attention.  Allread had only three scholarship offers before deciding on committing to the Timberwolves of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.

How does it feel to commit to Northwood?

It’s an amazing feeling, feels like all of my hard work to get to this point has finally paid off.

What was Northwood’s reaction when they heard you committed?

They were happy and excited I chose Northwood.

You committed shortly after visiting the campus, what was that experience like?

The campus is in a perfect location that my family can come watch me play and they have a great atmosphere there, perfect fit.

How do you see your play style fitting into Northwood’s system? How do they plan to use you?

They have talked a lot about me coming in and playing a stretch 4 for them because I have the ability to shoot 3s but also can get to the basket.

Are there any other commits in the class of 2015? If so, do you know any of them. If not do you know any players already on the roster?

I don’t know if there are any other commits I don’t think there are.  But I didn’t know any players but met a couple on the visit.

What were some other schools looking at you and what was different about Northwood?

I had offers from Malone and Madonna and I was talking to Depauw and had a recent workout with U of D Mercy who showed interest.  Northwood has a great business school and the atmosphere at the school really caught my eye and I loved it.  And obviously the coaches and players were great and they have been successful the last couple years

And what are you expectations for this upcoming season, what role will you have on this team and how good can West Bloomfield be?

Expectations are high, I will be a 3 or a stretch 4 primarily. The goal is to bring back some hardware and no reason we can’t do it. We have goo leadership and talent from Trishton Jackson and Michael King and have a trio of talented sophomores that will play a big role.

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John Glenn’s Mike Edwards Fastest Rising Prospect in Michigan

9 Oct

Westland John Glenn senior Michael Edwards is one of the most coveted prospects in Michigan currently. The 6’8″ Edwards currently has offers from U of D Mercy, Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Akron, and UC-Davis just to name a few.  However, several High Major programs such as Michigan and Iowa State have all been at John Glenn open gyms this year.  Even with the constant attention of schools and recruiters, Edwards is enjoying the process and knows he is blessed with the opportunity.

“It feels great!” Edwards had to say of the attention.  “I love it alot, and now I get to make a right decision to go to the right school.”

At 6’8″, it’s hard to miss Edwards when he is on the basketball court.  However, much of the recent recruiting attention can be attributed to the month of July AAU he had for Michigan United in front of college coaches.  According to Edwards, he says college coaches have shown interest in his ball handling abilities, mid-range jump shot, attacking the glass, and taking defenders off the bounce to the basket.

Edwards is open to all schools at this point.  He has visited Ball State this Fall, and plans to take a few more visits before the high school season starts.  When he decides on a school, it will be because of the “campus, the way the teamates are, head coach, the majors, and feel of it.”

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U of D Mercy Grabs Local Duo. Detroit Western’s Josh McFolley and Gerald Blackshear

7 Oct

MtClemensHoops_0-full“It feels great to commit to U of D Mercy,” were the words of Detroit Western senior guard Josh McFolley, “because the minute they recruited me they treated me like I was family.”

The 6’0″ 155 pound McFolley ended his recruitment with a pledge to the Titans on Monday night, after strongly considering fellow Horizon League members Cleveland State, and Oakland.

“It (U of D Mercy) fitted my playing style and the coaches seem like they care a lot about getting the players their education and helping them become better to get to the next level.”

Josh over the course of his high school career has been labeled a deadly perimeter shooter, but during his final year of travel basketball took on the responsibility as a primarily ball handler, distributor, and play maker for his AAU team.  He’s also improved on his agility, and athleticism throughout the progression of his prep career.

??????????????????????????????Josh last season attended Mt. Clemens High School, where the Bathers bowed out in the Class C quarterfinal game against eventual champion Detroit Consortium.  But with coaching changes, and rumors of the school district closing as a whole, McFolley decided it was best for him to finish high school at Detroit Western International.  Along with McFolley, Western also received transfer Gerald Blackshear, a 6’8″ senior forward from Mt. Clemens as well, who committed to U of D Mercy the same day as Josh did.

“It feels great to be going to school with a brother figure (Gerald),” Josh had to say, “and somebody you be around with everyday.”  “To get a chance to play with him and continuer our journey is incredible.

Both McFolley and Blackshear, in accordance with MHSAA rules, will have to sit the first semester of the school.  The two will be eligible for competition roughly around Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the Cowboys, who are favorites not only the win a Detroit City title but challenge for a Class A state crown as well.

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Romulus’ D’Angelo Hansbro Primed for Breakout Junior Campaign

23 Sep

r2ASMon_The pedigree of Romulus’ guards runs deep, from current head coach Jerret Smith (2005), to Wes Clark, and EC Matthews (2013).  For the upcoming 2014-2015 season, senior Jaylin Walker, a Kent State University commit, will garter most of the spotlight.  However, Romulus is also home to a few up and coming rising junior guards, one of which, D’Angelo Hansbro, received his first division one scholarship coming from the Buffalo Bulls.

“It feels great,” Hansbro had to say, ” it’s an honor, it always feel great when it’s your first.”

D’Angelo said Buffalo offered him the scholarship while at a school open gym.  The coach who was in attendance that day has a special connection to the Romulus Eagle program, Nate Oats.  Oats guided the Eagles to the 2012-2013 Class A state title, amassing a 27-1 overall record on the campaign, and over the course of his position as head coach took Romulus to the Breslin Center five times.  While D’Angelo was just a freshman on the undefeated junior varsity team the year Romulus won the state title, he still developed an important relationship with Coach Oats that eventually turned into a college scholarship.

“That’s someone I can always talk to,” Hansbro said of Coach Oats, “when I need anything, we are real close.”

At 5’11”, Hansbro isn’t the ideal size guard for the next level, but there is more than just height that determines the quality of a basketball player.  He’s very crafty with the ball in his hands, a pass first guard, competes with a high basketball IQ, can shoot the three, and a solid on-ball-defender for a guard.  All of which sound like a All-Star who happens to play in the NBA, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who Hansbro mentions he compares his style of play to.

D’Angelo played 16u travel basektball with The Family Detroit, a Nike sponsored grassroots team.  Traveling across the Midwest during the Spring and Summer, Hansbro said he recieved interest from Akron, Central Michigan, Oakland, Michigan, and Stony Brook.  D’Angelo has no dream school or offer, he only has the goal to become a division one college basketball player.

Hansbro will look for a breakout campaign his second year on varsity this Winter for Romulus.  D’Angelo will crack the starting lineup for the Eagles this year, and will serve as one of the primary ball-handlers and distributors on the team.  The team’s previous season didn’t go exactly as planned, bowing out in the quarterfinals unable to make the trip back to the Breslin Center.  Expectations will once again be high at Romulus this year, even though the team loses four starters from last year’s squad.  D’Angelo was blunt and to the point about his outlook on the season.

“Honestly I think this is the year we win another state championship.”

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Milan’s Latin Davis Commits To Youngstown State

22 Sep

kepatmeretezes_hu_LatinDavis2Milan senior point guard Latin Davis has already accomplished numerous accolades throughout his high school playing career.  Such as recognized for the Class B all-state team, and leading his Big Reds to the Class B crown as a junior.  The latest achievements for Davis was his decision on where he will play next year in college, the Youngstown State Penguins of the Horizon League.

“It feels good,” Davis had to say,  “I feel great about my decision.”

The Penguins currently have four players from the greater Detroit area on their roster for the upcoming season.  Perhaps one reason for Youngstown State connection to the region is assistant coach Steve Hall.  Hall, who attended and played for Cass Tech in high school, guided Detroit Rogers Academy to three straight MHSAA Class D titles (2003-2005), before resurrecting the ailing Northwestern program to their first city league title since 1978 in 2008.

In addition to Coach Hall as Davis’ main recruiter, Latin also felt a connection to the campus as well.  He committed while on an official visit, and says he enjoyed the atmosphere, and hanging out with his soon to be teammates.  Another aspect of the Penguin program Latin appreciated was the educational opportunities Youngstown State provides.  Basketball won’t last forever according to Latin, and placed a heavy emphasis on schooling during the recruiting process.

“They really have a great academic program,” Davis mentioned, “they want all of their players too graduate and their team has a overall gpa of 3.0.  So I’m looking to get a good education first then basketball.”

Youngstown made Latin a priority in their class of 2015 because they liked his ability to attack the basket, create for teammates, and shoot the three.  For now, Davis returns to Milan for his last year of high school eligibility.  The Big Reds are amongst the favorites to win Class B this year.  Davis’ partner in crime will be 6’8″ power forward Nick Perkins, who has several division offers to decide between right now.  With Latin on the perimeter, and Nick down low, the two have set lofty goals of finishing high school careers strong this season.

“(We will) Try to get back to the Breslin Center,” Davis aid, “both of us (Latin and Nick) have too lead.

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Michigan From a National Perspective

16 Sep

eric_davis_-_saginaw_athur_hillIt was a hard, long, arduous Summer in Michigan, a state which saw double-digit players from a year ago deciding to continue their high school careers in various corners of the country.  Most notably was junior guard/forward Josh Jackson to Justin-Sierra High School in California, a top three consensus player in the country for not only his age group, but youth basketball as a whole.  So the question is, what’s next for Michigan?  Who will pass on the proverbial torch they say to the future generations in the state?

Michigan is still well respected in various recruiting sites/services.  Starting with the class of 2015, the two players in ESPN’s, Rivals’, and Scout’s top 100 seniors are Saginaw Arthur Hill’s guard Eric Davis, and Muskegon’s 6’11” big man Deyonta Davis.  Deyonta, a defending Class A state champion and Michigan State commit, is ranked the 15th best overall prospect by ESPN, number 29 according to Scout, and 23 in Rivals.  One of the country most coveted recruits, Eric is tabbed for 41 in ESPN, 45 in Scout, and 52 in Rivals.  Both Davis’ figure to be playing at the Breslin Center in late March for a championship, and are both considered the front runners for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award.

What was one of Michigan’s stronger classes, 2016, was hit particularly hard by the aforementioned transfers over the Summer.  The only player from Michigan ranked services is University of Detroit Jesuit’s 6’1″ guard Cassius Winston.  Winston is number 45 in ESPN,  and number 35 overall prospect in the Rivals Class of 2016 150.  A smooth moving true point guard, Winston currently holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, VCU, and Maryland just to name a few.

A96I1148Winston’s AAU teammate, Saginaw Arthur Hill’s 2017 wing Brian Bowen, is the only member of Michigan’s sophomore class ranked nationally.  Most recruiting services only have a top 25 ranking for sophomores, as does ESPN and Scout.com.  In both of their 2017 rankings, Bowen is tabbed for number six and seven in both ESPN and Scout respectively.  Bowen holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Missouri, NC State, Kansas, Boston College, Iowa and Iowa State.

What’s the next move for Michigan?  It’s becoming increasingly difficult for in-state players to compete under the current rules for national recognition with players from across the country.  There is no reason to speculate the rules can or will change soon. But the future is bright in Michigan, the Class of 2018 is off to a strong start with impressive performance at AAU tournaments during Summer time.  However for the time being, let’s just sit back and enjoy the upcoming year of high school hoops.

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Billy Thomas Off To A Quick Start At Genesis Prep

12 Sep

36C80ED9-5508-4FAC-9D1AE8338B209409_W325_HautoYou might remember Billy Thomas as the starting shooting guard on U of D Jesuit’s 2014 Class A final four appearance last winter.  After the school year however, Thomas decided to take the prep route to college and chose Genesis Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia.  And including a Summer of travel AAU, and numerous open gyms, Thomas has now accumulated three division one scholarships, IUPUI, Louisiana Tech, and East Tennessee State.

“It feels great to know that all my hard work is finally paying off,” Thomas had to say.  “I’ve been really patient with the process and I have been enjoying it.”

Now a member of the class of 2017, the extra year of high school will be extremely beneficial to Thomas before he attends college.  Now 6’1″ and 160 lbs, Thomas’ primary role on the team a season ago was to hit perimeter jump shots.  Although he still wants to shoot at a high level, there are other aspects of his game he wants to improve upon.  In the short time he has been at Genesis, Thomas notes he has “gotten a lot stronger, ball handling skills have gotten better, decision making has got way better, shooting has gotten more consistent and I am starting to develop into a point guard knowing how to make my teammates better, making the right play and knowing when to score and when to facilitate.”

Thomas stated colleges haven’t been in contact with him since he came to Virginia, but Central Michigan, Oakland, and U of D Mercy all followed him in the Summer, and Xavier, Wake Forest, and Liberty have all been visitors to Genesis open gyms.  But for now, Thomas sets his focus to the regular season, and his and team’s goal “to win a national championship.”

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