MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Position-less basketball is all the rage, especially in the NBA.

However, Michigan high school basketball still has some dominant true post players who could cause mismatch problems for opponents.

For some reason, the ability to get post players the ball has developed into a lost art. Grandville did a great job with Cameron Regnerus, but that was an anomaly.

Nowadays, most “bigs” stand around the 3-point line hoping to get an open look and bolster their versatility. True post play has become a relic.

Here are 10 players who are willing and able to dominate the paint:

Charles Kage, 6-8, Riverview Gabriel Richard – Cage is a tall, lanky prospect who plays in Division 3, where he is just too athletic and big for most teams to stop. He owns the paint by using his length to shoot over defenders and snag rebounds on both ends of the court. Cage will probably develop into a stretch-4 at the next level, but, as of now, he’s one of the state’s best post players.

Owen Vanderwaal, 6-7, Hudsonville Unity Christian – A fast-rising post presence who can be physical in the paint. Unity runs a traditional-style offense, allowing Vanderwaal the opportunity to use his height and length to dominate near the basket. He has great touch around the rim with a growing que of post moves. Unity has two stud 6-7 players, so they could feature a twin towers lineup that few teams would enjoy seeing.

Kyle McGowan, 6-7, Cadillac – McGowan might be the best pure finisher around the rim. He reminds me of the aforementioned Ragnerus, who is now at Grand Valley. McGowan also has D2 offers. McGowan is strong and tough to knock off the block. He has showcased smart positioning and always wants the ball – which is something I can’t say for all post prospects. He’s another player who could develop into a stretch-4, but for now, he cherishes his role as a dominant post.

Derek Thomas, 6-3, Lansing Waverly – No, that’s not a typo, Thomas is a true post at just 6-3. In fact, he might have the best post instinct in the state. Thomas is the state’s most consistent finisher around the rim, scoring points in bunches. He’s also an incredible rebounder. If Thomas was 6-8 he’d be a high-major D1 recruit. As is, he will likely have to find a new position in college or play JUCO or NAIA as an undersized and underrated post.

Vincent Salmon, 6-9, Brighton – Salmon has garnered a lot of buzz in each of the last two summers. He’s one of the tallest players in the state and he has a solid build. Salmon’s developing footwork allows him to clear space and use his height to his advantage on the block. He has Thomas Kithier upside with the same penchant for learning valuable post moves.

Jacob MacPhee, 6-6, Marquette – There aren’t many players in the Upper Peninsula with MacPhee’s combination of size, strength and skill. He has tremendous footwork and athleticism, which he uses to his advantage to create mismatches. MacPhee can handle the ball, but he truly shines on the block. He picked up a D2 offer this month after impressing in summer camps.

Spencer Scott, 6-6, Warren De La Salle – Underrated, but important, post presence on a team featuring an elite four-headed guard attack. Scott is reliable as a rebounder and finisher. He’s rangy on defense and creates spacing with solid positioning. He isn’t the physically strongest post player, but he knows where to be. He could post some double-doubles that get him recognized by NAIA/D3 schools.

Aaron Graves, 6-5, Cass Tech – The Technicians have kind of bucked the trend by taking potential wings and moving them to a full-time post role. Graves impressed at the BCAM camp by using his length and athleticism to reach over other players. An above the rim player, who could see a solid amount of alley-oop attempts courtesy of Cass Tech’s bevy of skilled guards.

Mathias Bray, 6-5, South Haven – A true throwback player, Bray is solidly built and tenacious around the rim. He furiously crashes the boards and shows a nice touch around the basket. Bray has looked more aggressive calling for the ball this summer and picked up a college offer. Bray has almost unlimited upside and could be a star at the NAIA/D3 level.

Tyler Hunter, 6-8, Detroit King – Hunter has the look of a beloved Tom Izzo recruit. That 6-8 number is the perfect Big Ten power forward size, and Hunter is solidly built. Despite his impressive frame, Hunter is uniquely agile. He’s still working on his footwork and post moves, but he’s only a sophomore, so he could eventually reach Xavier Tillman or Derrick Nix status.