Michigan's Talent Level is on the Rise

Michigan's Talent Level is as good as it has been in a long time, in my opinion. It is hard for me to decide who is the #1 player in every class in Michigan. In 2009, you have Derrick Nix from Detroit Pershing, who at 6'9 is the most dominant player in Michigan, with his size down low. DaShonte Riley, the 7'0 C from Country Day, is very raw on the offensive end, but his enormous potential still keeps him on top of the class. 

In 2010, is is extremely hard to pick. After Las Vegas in July, Trey Ziegler, the 6'5 do everything player from Mt. Pleseant was the easy pick, but now 6'1 Ray McCallum, JR from Country Day is playing like arguably the best player in Michigan, regardless of class. 6'5 Isaiah Sykes from Detroit Finney, also has to have his name in there, because of his versatility, as well as 6'2 Keith Appling, a Michigan State commit from Detroit Pershing, who can give anyone above 30. 6'9 PF John Horford from Grand Ledge, has a huge upside, and was the best big on the floor when Grand Ledge played Country Day at Michigan State a few days ago. 6'9 Alex Gauna from Eaton Rapids is as skilled as they come down low, but still needs a mean streak, but still it is hard to leave him out the top 5 in his class. Another guy who has to be mentioned amongst the elite players in Michigan is 5'7 PG Maurice Jones, who although he will get the best of guards who will go high major, he should go to the A-10 or equivalent because of his size, but right now "Pookie" flat out gets the job done!

In 2011, 6'5 G Brandan Kearney, is my favorite player in Michigan, because of his poise and smart play on the court, and also because it is a very good chance he continues to grow, and if he gets to be 6'7, we are talking about the next Steve Smith and McDonald's All American from Detroit, he is pushing 6'6 now. Kearney's god brother, 6'8 Percy Gibson, who attends Detroit Southeastern with him, is a beast down low and is also a high major recruit. After those two, the potential high major talent doesn't stop there, 6'8 Tommie McCune from Saginaw High has Syracuse, Michigan State, Xavier and others recruiting him, and North Carolina recently called on him; in the end he could end up being the best player in Michigan for this class. And then you can't forget about the best scorer in the 2011 class, high major combo guard Carlton Brundidge, the 6'1 Southfield High product is the man right now in this class, because he has done it on the 17u circuit with Michigan powerhouse summer program "The Family" and with his high school, Carlton is a beast, and has guys like Michigan State, Michigan, Georgetown and others on him. 6'5 LaDontae Hinton from Lansing Eastern is the strongest and most productive player in his class right now, but he may not end up going high major, because he is a "tweener" and isn't extremely skilled. 6'10 Amir Williams from Country Day, will be better than all of the bigs on Country Day's team right now. Williams is a shot-blocker and rebounder, and he will try to dunk on you. But that isn't all at DCDS for 2011 D1 talent, 6'8 Urbane Bingham, 6'1 Chris Fowler, 5'10 Lee Bailey, and 6'4 Kenny Knight will also be very good. 6'6 Darius Norman from Kalamazoo Central has the potential to be a high major player, he is long, can shoot, and plays hard. 6'3 G AJ Mathew from Ann Arbor Huron, is also quietly getting the job done, he shoots it well, and has a high bball IQ, pound for pound, AJ is just as good as people who get more pub than him, he is leading his team to a undefeated record, including a impressive win over Benton Harbor, he will get D1 offers as well. Other 2011 players who are interesting prospects and are playing well so far in this early season include 6'10 Darren Washington and 6'0 Davonte Carter(isn't playing, but is very good) from Detroit Southeastern, 6'2 Ed Brown from Detroit Finney, 6'4 Trey Babers, 5'10 Evellis McGee, and 6'1 Marquavis Ford from Saginaw High, 6'1 Jaylen Bland from Saginaw Arthur Hill, 6'8 Jalen Reynolds from Livonia Clarenceville, 6'9 Donald Owens from Inkster High, 6'6 Julian Plummer from Muskegon Heights, and 5'10 PG Patrick Lucas-Perry from Flint Powers.

In 2012, Denzel Valentine a 6'4 do everything player from Lansing Sexton just may be the best player, but so may 6'2 Ray Lee from Robichaud, 6'8 Jordan Hare from Arthur Hill, and 6'0 Cameron Fowler from U-D Jesuit. 5'6 Dennis Norfleet from Detroit MLK is also doing very well. Donald Fisher, a long 6'8 big fella from Flint Northern will be good in time, but he is also producing very well right now. 6'4 SG Javonte Hawkins, may be the best shooter in this class, but he also shows the Flint grit and toughness that is always there in players from the inner city. Saginaw also has a few more under the radar players. 6'6 Kevin Marshall from Saginaw High has immense potential and could end up 6'10, he has HUGE feet. DeAndre Grady a 6'1 G from East Grand Rapids is another good young prospect, he is another one of those Grady's from the Grand Rapids area.

Other players playing well in this young season includes

2009

Dion Sims 6'6 F Orchard Lake St. Mary's

James Still 6'9 PF Detroit Community PROVIDENCE

Mike Green 6'1 G Saginaw High 

Vonn Jones 6' PG Hartland

Donnovan Kirk 6'9 PF Country Day MIAMI-FL

Rashad Porter 5'10 PG Romulus

Duke Monday 6'4 SG Grand Rapids Catholic Central PROVIDENCE

Ben Simons 6'7 Wing Cadillac DRAKE

Jordan Morgan 6'8 PF U-D Jesuit MICHIGAN

Jordan Dumars 6'6 Wing Country Day SOUTH FLORIDA

Doug Anderson 6'6 PF Kalamazoo Central

2010

Devin Oliver 6'5 SG Kalamazoo Central

Juwan Howard 6'6 Wing Detroit Pershing

Kyle Vinales 6'1 G North Farmington

Mike Talley, JR 5'9 PG Melvindale B&T

Kem Bradshaw 6'2 SG Detroit Cass Tech

Stay tuned!