MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

At its most basic premise, basketball is a form of entertainment.

Michigan high school basketball should be in for an unprecedented season, with the Michigan High School Athletic Association now allowing teams to play out of state.

Fans of Michigan high school basketball also received great news in June when it was announced new Pistons head coach Monty Williams’ son, Elijiah Williams, a 6-6 small forward ranked No. 3 by ESPN in the 2026 class, would be attending Brother Rice this upcoming school year.

Brother Rice is no stranger to elite talent, with a trio of Division 1 college athletes graduating from last year’s team. Brother Rice also has D1-offered small forward Warren Marshall IV (6-4) and recent Okemos transfer Trevor Smith, a 6-8 power forward who started last season as a freshman.

While Michigan might have a couple of super teams this winter (have you seen Orchard Lake St. Mary’s roster), the state also has talent in every possible geographic location.

Here is a look at my most entertaining players at each position entering the 2023-24 season:

PG: Lance Stone 5-7 Jr. Detroit Renaissance – Perhaps the most entertaining player in the country. Yes, that’s a bold statement, but Stone lives up to the hype, especially when seen in person. The diminutive floor general is lighting quick, a savvy passer and has NBA 3-point range. Stone can put up 30 on teams just as quickly as he blazes by defenders. He has multiple Division 1 offers, including a recent one from Toledo. If you get the chance, watch him play this winter.

SG: Deunte Phifer 6-5 Sr. Lansing Waverly – I first saw this prospect at the Tip-off Classic at Wayne State last December, and Phifer made an immediate impression. He hits 3-pointers well beyond NBA range and can jump out of the gym. Overall, Waverly is an entertaining team, and Phifer, who I believe is underrated overall as a prospect, leads the group.

SF: Christian Humphrey-Rembert 6-9 Sr. East Kentwood – At his height, it might seem odd to call him a “small” forward, but Humphrey-Rembert usually lines up on the wing. From there, he either knocks down 3-pointers with a beautiful shooting stroke, or he charges the baseline for a back-door alley-oop. Elite dunker and shot blocker; he will leave fans entertained no matter what end of the court he’s on.

PF: Jaylan Ouwinga 6-9 Sr. Grand Rapids Christian – Looks even taller than listed, Ouwinga moves with grace and plays with a style that’s easy on the eyes. He can shoot, dunk, dribble and block shots. He is a commanding presence on the court, and he should have more of a scoring role this season with Dono Thames now at Ferris State. This was a tough choice. Michigan has a plethora of exciting power forwards (6-8 Dylan Grant and 6-9 Xander Wedlow are worth mentioning here), but Ouwinga could elevate into Power 5-offer territory this season.

C: Camden Karel 6-9 Jr. Byron Center – There aren’t many true centers in Michigan (or basketball in general), and some might disagree with putting Karel here, but the couple times I saw him play he spent most of his time in the paint. Karel is an elite finisher and shot blocker. Recently picked up an offer from Western Michigan, and that might seem minor when all said and done. Karel and teammate Jayden Brock, a 6-5 small forward, present the most exciting wing-post duo in Michigan. Yes, I stand by that.