Rahsaan “Moot” Pope made it offical. Pope, a senior 6-5 wing from Romulus High School, verbally committed to Saginaw Valley State of the GLIAC. Moot started his prep career at rival Belleville for two years, with one campaign on varsity. Then he took his skills across infamous Hannan Road, where he said he felt more apart of a family at Romulus. Last year as a junior, he averaged nine points, five rebounds, and five assists per-game. Pope had always been on the minds of college coaches, but he certified himself as a scholarship player after a strong Summer with the Michigan Warriors. Come, July a familiar face followed the Warriors around the circuit. It happened to be SVSU assistant coach Chin Nwachukwu, AKA Chin-a-Doodle. Now Coach Chin has told me for several years, if I believe a player is good he would let The Mayor know about it.
Pope went on an unofficial visit to the University Center campus about a month ago, when he was gathering interest from IPFW and Grand Valley State at the time. Rahsaan later returned on an offficial visit in mid-September. He felt a strong connection toward the campus, gym accessability, and team/family atsomsphere. Former Milan standout and current Cardinal junior forward C.J. Turnage helped introduce Pope to the SVSU family. Finally, head coach Randy Baruth laid a out a challenge to Moot. Put in the work and raise his game to a new level come Pope’s freshman season. Rashaan is not the kind of player that backs down!
That is a rap.
-Mayor
Contributed by Adam Troia
Special thanks to Romulus head coach Jarret Smith for assistance on the piece.
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.
When the 2012-2013 boys basketball season for the MHSAA started in December, Birmingham Seaholm 6’7″ wing Paris Bass was not usually in the conversation regarding division one basketball prospects in the State of Michigan. However, Bass quietly put up an excellent senior campaign, averaging a double-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, to go along with three steals, rebounds and assists respectively. But where Paris really started to make a name for himself was competing with the 17U Michigan Warriors AAU team. “Well it was a big part of my team getting me the ball and helping my confidence,” Paris had to say for the improvement of his game with the Michigan Warriors, “but also I started to work on my game and not just be satisfied where I was.” Traveling through the midwest and partaking in some of the most prestigious AAU tournaments the region has to offer, Paris was exposed to division one basketball coaches in the month of July where offers started to pour in for him, and the one school that stood out to him the most was U of D Mercy.
Paris had accumulated double-digit offers during the Live Period of July, where division one college coaches may attend AAU games. Paris eventually cut his list down to five schools including the Titans, Rhode Island, Kent State, Louisiana Tech, and Eastern Michigan before deciding on U of D Tuesday. “Basically I feel real close and comfortable with Coach Ray [McCallum]” said Bass, “and also the staff made me feel like I was at home.” And regarding how U of D plays, Paris is excited to get on the floor because “They play my style of basketball and I also feel I can continue to improve the program.”
Paris is a unique and versatile wing that seems to cause mis-match problems wherever he steps on the floor. Bass is a long athletic wing, that can fill the ball up in a variety of ways, off-the bounce going to the basket, facing up from the perimeter with a jump-shot, and slashing and finding wholes in the defense from the off-guard position. The one thing that is intriguing about Paris is that he is so tall, one would not think that he could handle the ball. But at times this Summer with Warriors, Paris controlled the ball like a point guard out there pushing the ball after he got a rebound on the break and finding teammates for the assist.
At the college level, Paris does not what to be labeled as just being able to play one position, “Guard, post, anything I can do to help the team.” Paris is a late great pick-up for the Titans this time of year, and is a future star in the Horizon League.
Jeron Rogers is a 6’7″ 195″ wing forward who attends North Farmington High School, and competes for the Michigan Warriors AAU team. Jeron is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. He is too tall to put a smaller guard on him, but he is too quick to put a bigger post defender on him. Jeron already has offers from the likes of Toledo and Oakland. But has Michigan State, Iowa State, and Xavier very interested in his skills.
Every year, the Romulus Eagles always have Division One college talent. This year, it was a quartet of seniors, Jalon Plummer [Youngstown State], Leo Edwards [Louisiana Tech], Wes Clark [Missouri], and E.C. Matthews [Rhode Island]. In years past, the school has produced Ray Lee [C/O 2012 Eastern Michigan] and Justin Moss [C/O 2011 Toledo]. With all this talent comes great success! The Romulus Eagles make it to the State Championships at the Breslin Center just about every year and this year 2013, the team captured its first state title since 1986 defeating Detroit Southeastern in the championship game. However, there is something more than basketball at Romulus. It’s the life lessons; such as hard work and perseverance that are instilled in the players by the Romulus coaches. And this has had an impact on the lives of a pair of two brothers, Will and Kris Clyburn.
Going back a couple of years, Will Clyburn was a member of the 2008 class at Romulus High School. Will Clyburn was often overlooked when scouts came into the building to watch Romulus compete, even though he averaged double-figures scoring wise each game that season. And at the end of his senior season, Will only received one offer, from Marshalltown Community College in Iowa. He made the best of it by working hard, a thing that Will admits to not accomplishing in the early stages of his high school career. Will ultimately received a scholarship after two years at Marshalltown to attend the University of Utah for the 2010-2011 season. Will had a tremendous season for the Utes! He averaged 17 points a game and hauled down 8 rebounds per game. After the season ended, Will decided to transfer and sit out a year in order to play at Iowa State. Will came back better than ever when he was allowed to play for the Cyclones. Although his scoring went down, Clyburn was a vital contributor toward leading Iowa State to an at-large birth in the 2013 NCAA tournament. And far as the draft goes, Will is projected by many to be a late second round selection.
Will’s pathway to college has not been easy. But his example has taught many athletes that when you work hard, great things can be achieved. Will is a role model to his younger brother, Kris, a rising senior at Romulus High School who competes for the Michigan Warriors AAU team. One major thing Kris admires of his older brother is his work ethic. “When he got to college, he worked even harder because he felt like he should prove [something to ] everybody that doubted him wrong,” said Kris whose plans include, “For the offseason, I need to live in the gym.” The two, according to Kris, are mirror images of each other on the court, acknowledging that both are very versatile and do all the intangibles, the only thing differing is that Will is right handed.
Kris is yet to receive an offer, but has various D1 schools showing interest. Kris can look up to Will’s arduous recruiting process for guidance during a difficult time for a any high school basketball player. “I know what I need to do and expect to try and be a successful college basketball player,” says Kris. Of goals he has set for the AAU season, one that will make anybody affiliated with the Romulus High School basketball team happy, is that he is going to “Practice on bringing home hardware,” for the Michigan Warriors this Summer, “because we plan on winning another State TItle [for Romulus] this year.” A goal that can only be accomplished by hard work. A task that is not unfamiliar to the Clyburn brothers.
Here are some recaps of the talent filled days that the Michigan Invitational featured this previous weekend.
V.J. King 6’6″ 180 lbs (King James Shooting Stars 17u)- One of the most talented freshmen in the country. The long athletic wing showed the ability to dominate in just about every phase on the offensive side of the ball. Whether it be getting to the rim or hitting the perimeter jump shot, V.J. is a force to be reckoned with. Already possess offers from the likes of Big Ten schools.
A.J. Harris 5’8″ 145 lbs (King James Shooting Stars 17u)- The smallest player on the court is no short of talent. The 5’8″ point guard featured a variety of moves one would expect of a bigger guard. A.J. has tremendous court vision and passing ability. But defenders must be honest because he can score the ball with the best of them. Mid major offers as of now but those will turn to higher as the aau season continues.
Darrell Davis 6’3″ 170 lbs (Reach Legends 17u)- Darrell will improve his game so much over this summer. Davis is improving on the jump shot, but a strength is his raw scoring ability. Davis will be no doubt by the end of the summer of the state’s elite combo guards.
Aaron Foster-Smith 6’7″ 215 lbs (Michigan Warriors 17u)- An explosive, tough forward, Foster-Smith has a variety of skills that one would not expect from a post player. Aaron rebounds, is athletic, scores in the paint, and more surprisingly, runs the break with the ball in his hands like he is a point guard. Many high major schools are predicted to keep an eye or two on him.
Paris Bass 6’8″ (Michigan Warriors 17u)- The long, versatile wing averaged over 20 points a game during his senior season, but is still eligible to participate in aau games. Bass has a nice face-up jump shot that has range to three point land. Rebounds, passes and scores. Just plain and simple, can do it all.
Rahsaan “Moot” Pope made it offical. Pope, a senior 6-5 wing from Romulus High School, verbally committed to Saginaw Valley State of the GLIAC. Moot started his prep career at rival Belleville for two years, with one campaign on varsity. Then he took his skills across infamous Hannan Road, where he said he felt more apart of a family at Romulus. Last year as a junior, he averaged nine points, five rebounds, and five assists per-game. Pope had always been on the minds of college coaches, but he certified himself as a scholarship player after a strong Summer with the Michigan Warriors. Come, July a familiar face followed the Warriors around the circuit. It happened to be SVSU assistant coach Chin Nwachukwu, AKA Chin-a-Doodle. Now Coach Chin has told me for several years, if I believe a player is good he would let The Mayor know about it.
The Prep Ball Report 