Mitten Prep Hoops Scouting & Analysis

It’s easy to gush over the obvious future Division 1 college basketball players throughout the state, but there are plenty of intriguing players still trying to get noticed.

Michigan high school basketball sometimes gets a bad rap for losing its biggest names to prep schools out of state. While that is sometimes true, there are incredible breakout seniors every season.

This is a list of student-athletes who could play their way onto a college roster, or gain higher-level offers with a great senior year.

Here are 20 players college coaches should be watching come December:

Colin Heyboer, 6-6, Grandville – Towering and lanky presence. He’s a threat from beyond the arc, but he has developed more of an overall skillset. Heyboer will pair with sophomore point guard Carter Wade for an intriguing offensive duo. There is a myriad of colleges around the Grandville area, and I fully expect Heyboer to be on one of those rosters.

Joey Miller, 6-4, Hudsonville – Miller is a terrific shooter and fearless driving to the basket. He will likely be asked to lead Hudsonville in scoring this season. Miller isn’t as long as Heyboer, but he’s rugged, tough and smart on both ends of the court. I expect his recruiting to skyrocket this season. He reminds me of Jaxon Whitaker who just graduated Reeths-Puffer for Ferris State.

Joey Angok, 6-9, Forest Hills Northern – Looks like a 7-footer when first walking into the gym. His length is unrivaled by anyone in the state. He flashes nice poise in transition and is a menace on defense at this level. He’s still working on his half-court offense, where to be and what to do once he gets the ball. If he puts it all together this season, D2 colleges throughout the Midwest should take note.

Shemar Woodson, 6-3, Belleville – I’ve viewed mixed results from Woodson, but I came away very impressed at the BCAM camp last month. He’s a tall, rangy point guard who can knock down shots, lead the offense and rebound. He’s not the quickest player, but he’s a natural leader who rarely makes mental mistakes. He would be a great program guy at the next level.

Devin Lee, 6-3, Detroit Catholic Central – Will be counted on for even more scoring in his second season as a starter. Lee is a big, physical guard who probably drifts outside too much at this level. Reminds me of former Flint Powers guard Laval Lucas-Perry in size and skill. If Lee can showcase the ability to consistently get to the hoop, his recruiting stock could awaken.

DeShawnta Malone, 5-10, Lansing Waverly – Lightning-quick lead guard who is a one-man press on defense. It would be very interesting to see him play in a version of the havoc defense at the next level. His shooting continues to improve, but he’s already very dangerous as a facilitator and top-notch defender.

Tory James Jr., 6-1, Grosse Pointe South – The best shooter in the state not named Trey McKenney. James is a smooth scorer at every level. I’m very impressed by his game. He can play on or off the ball. James could be in for a monster scoring year. If he’s still undecided around March and April, and I was in charge of a D2 (or maybe even a smaller D1 school) I would snatch him up and reap the rewards of a chance well taken.

Memphis McDowell, 5-10, River Rouge – A courageous lead guard who won’t back down from any challenge. Every part of his game is solid, but he’s still looking for that defining characteristic. He could end up as a JUCO with big upside.

Leo Perettie, 5-11, Grosse Pointe South – Tenacious guard who thrives running an offense. Adept at scoring around the hoop, despite his height. He’s a gunner from 3-point range, who has put up some eye-catching performances this summer. He might not make the “all-airport” team, but he will likely be the player everyone is talking about after the game.

Donnie Huddleston, 6-2, Grand Blanc – Another in a long line of dependable outside shooters from this class. Huddleston isn’t the fastest or quickest player, but he’s smooth and dependable on both ends of the court. Huddleston is another prospect who projects as a lethal weapon from beyond the arc. He might go quiet for a while, but he will also have some high-scoring performances.

John Kaul, 6-2, Clarkston | Quinn Rosenberg, 6-5, Clarkston – Two criminally underrated prospects. You heard it here first: Clarkston will be a very tough out for anyone in their quadrant, including Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Kaul is a great scorer and floor general. He’s exploded this summer with numerous impressive scoring outputs. Rosenberg’s height allows him to be a mismatch on the wing. He’s really just a more consistent 3-point shot away from being a must-have D2 recruit.

Jacoby Menyweathers, 5-9, Waterford Mott – Well-built lead guard who is tough to stop when he gets momentum. Natural scorer who also makes his teammates better. Undervalued as someone who has thrived amidst tons of turnover at Mott. He’s now the senior leader on a quietly potent Mott roster.

Braeden Holder, 5-9, Warren De La Salle – The third of DLS’s three-headed senior guard trio, Holder doesn’t always get the credit or recognition he deserves. He’s a tremendous ball handler and very quick with the ball. Finished well around the rim at BCAM camp, but he doesn’t always shoot it as consistently as one might anticipate. Still, he should be committed to a college sooner than later.

Gabriel Njenga, 6-7, Big Rapids – Once you traverse into the murky waters north of Rockford, it’s anyone’s guess who will get recruited. Njenga is right in Ferris’ backyard in Big Rapids. That should be his goal. Lengthy prospect who had some impressive scoring performances last season. Even more advancement and a run in the tournament could put him on more college coaches’ radars.

Jesse James Cull, 6-5, Flint Powers – The more agile of the Cull twins, with a better chance to play on the wing. At 6-5/6-6, the wing will help Cull be more marketable. Jesse Cull has an effortless 3-point stroke and some versatility to his game. Gaining a little more quickness could make him an automatic D2 college recruit.

Jace Petree, 6-3, DEPSA – He’s flown under the radar the last couple years since transferring to Detroit Edison. He possesses one of the purest 3-point strokes in the state. Consistent engagement seems like an issue, so he needs to show he can play with some more passion. At the moment, Petree’s next level arrow points towards a knock-down 3-point shooter with upside.

Zander Nash, 6-5, Imlay City – Basically a tall point guard with above-average speed and court vision. Nash has showcased versatility in his offensive game. Consistency will be his next step. Tends to disappear for stretches against quality opponents. He has tremendous upside, so now he just needs to put the pieces together. Would be an intriguing fit alongside Trenton Taratuta at Saginaw Valley.

Tucker Walther, 6-4, Schoolcraft – Known as a lethal shooter, Walther might be a tall point guard with Shane Rykse now in college. Walther, already a knowledgable scorer, will also be asked to lead this season. Schoolcraft will be taller than their opponents most nights. It will be up to Walther to find cracks when the defense is smaller and quicker.

Shannon Henderson, 6-9, Stockbridge – Very impressive frame and wingspan. He actually ran some point guard in the games I watched him in last season. He was a much better ball-handler than I anticipated. He’s farther along offensively than I’d imagined. Henderson has tremendous all-around upside. If he’s not getting the college looks he deserves, a prep school or JUCO could help him ultimately find a D1 roster.