MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Southwest Michigan usually gets overlooked when it comes to boys high school basketball talent.

With no major city and few D1 or even D2 teams, SW Michigan fails to generate annual buzz throughout the state. But almost every year a team or two from the area reaches the Breslin.

Heading into next season (2025-26), people might want to start giving Southwest Michigan some credit because there are some exciting prospects returning to the court during the winter months.

Here are 10 potentially exciting players to watch from Southwest Michigan:

Chib Amaezechi, 6-6 Sr., Plainwell – Freak athlete who might be a top-three dunker in the entire state. Explosive with and without the ball. If Chib’s defender falls even a quarter of a step behind, he will send a shockwave through the gym with a thunderous slam. Has a decent outside shot, but not a pure shooter or dribbler. If he can round out some of those skills, he has serious D2 college upside.

Braydon Favors, 6-5 Sr., Niles – Star in the making on a team that quietly has put together a couple solid seasons. Favors has the size and skill to be a wing or under-sized forward at the next level. He’s athletic and smart on the court. Now, he just needs to become a little more decisive. Favors could take a huge senior leap as a featured player in an underrated Wolverine Conference.

Nylen Goins, 5-11 Sr., Niles-Brandywine – Helped his school win a state title two years ago. A fierce competitor who grinds for buckets even against double teams. Strong point guard with great vision and scoring chops. Good athlete with a solid outside shot. Although not great at any one thing, he has no immediate weaknesses and will make a college coach very happy one day soon.

Benjamin Johnson, 6-0 Sr., Portage Central – Might be the most underrated player in the state, and I don’t say that hyperbolically. Great scorer who also can run the show and get his teammates involved. Was the leader of a regional final squad a couple seasons ago and is now primed for a major breakout. If he can become just a little more consistent from deep, he could be a standout D2 college player.

Isaiah Theodile, 6-7 Sr., Kalamazoo Central – A one-man wrecking crew in the paint. He possesses a wide base with a strong upper body. He’s a virtual lock to score at least 20 points with double-digit rebounds every night. He needs to work on his hands a bit and become more consistent finishing through traffic, but he has D1 college offers for a reason. Unlimited upside as a score-first power forward. The Maroons will have their entire eight-man rotation back next season – all of whom are seniors.

Amari Lewis, 6-4 Sr., Portage Northern – Slender wing with lead guard skills. Good 3-point shooter who has gained confidence calling his own name. The game has seemingly slowed down for him, allowing him to consistently be a main scoring threat. Needs to get quite a bit stronger to reach his full recruiting potential, but Lewis has the look of a breakout candidate.

Quinton Swanson, 6-4 Sr., Portage Northern – Long, lanky wing with point guard potential. Quick release on his shot. He’s a high-riser who can shoot over taller defenders. More crafty than quick or fast, but his feel for the game is nearly unrivaled. Great mid-range game with the potential to become a dangerous MAC wing with a little more muscle.

Kesean Hobbs, 6-3 Jr., Benton Harbor – An elite athlete who can run the point or play on the wing. Smooth combo guard who has a knack for scoring in bunches. He can make some highlight-reel dunks and is a menace in transition. Consistency is his only issue. He can disappear for stretches. Now that he’s an upperclassman and team leader, Hobbs will have to remain an elite presence for all four quarters.

Truman Brennan, 5-11 Sr., Paw Paw – A major part of “guard U”, leading his backcourt mates in scoring as a smooth combo guard with a nice outside shot. Strong lower body helps him get into the lane. He could probably be even a little more aggressive on offense. Great in man-to-man and as a leader in the press. He has a bit of an unorthodox frame for a basketball player, but he could be a big-time success as most D3 college programs.

Brayden Holok, 6-4 Sr., Stevensville-Lakeshore – Holok has long shown potential to become one of the best players of the area. His athletic profile was a little ahead of his skill, but that changed last season when he put up consistent numbers and proved he could be the face of the program. The Lancers have a couple returning players this size and could be a team to watch next season with Holok leading the way.