MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

The D Zone Holiday Showcase was a success, bringing in tons of talented teams and players.

After watching nearly 30 games back-to-back, I was starting to feel like I could predict what was going to happen next, and it was always entertaining.

Here are the all-day teams for each FULL day of games from the D Zone Holiday Showcase:

Day 1 (Saturday):

James Martin, 6-3, Muskegon – His game has become well-rounded, and he might be able to play point guard at Detroit Mercy because he’s become a very confident ball-handler. Very smart player, who took advantage of all Grand Ledge’s weaknesses in a truly dominant effort.
Kaidon Mourning, 6-1, Ann Arbor Huron – Fun to watch as an explosive guard who completes acrobatics around the rim, which he can get to in a hurry. Underrated senior guard who finally has his chance to shine and, so far, has taken advantage of every opportunity for the undefeated River Rats.
Christian Cast, 6-3, Country Day – Tremendous point guard – potentially an NBA prospect. Effortless 30 points in this game, efficient shooting, great passing and one of the better performances of the whole tournament. Definitely a Power-4 prospect with tremendous upside due to his size and skill.
Zahir Haqq, 5-11, Lincoln Park – Strong, skilled guard who has a great mid-range jumper and is a bowling ball driving to the hoop. Showed he can hit some long-range shots too, while also displaying a high I.Q. running the offense.
Kobe Drake, 6-3, Ypsilanti Lincoln – Drake impressed with his long speed and court vision. Tall guard who can run the offense, score and rebound. Versatility always draws in college attention, and Drake looks like he can play any backcourt spot. Will be interested to see how his game progresses over the next couple years.

Day 2 (Sunday):

Devin Brown, 6-2, Old Redford – Dropped 44 points to help his team win against a scrapy Lansing Everett squad. Explosive athlete who threw down some dunk-contest winning slams. Knocked down 3-pointers consistently and was like a freight train getting to the hoop. A complete player who should start getting Power-4 offers this year.
K.J. Torbert, 6-2, East Lansing – The state’s best player showed all his skills to help extend East Lansing’s winning streak. The Bowling Green commit can shoot, elevate above the rim and run an offense. He should be a great D1 college player, and ultimately work his way onto a Power-4 roster.
Carter George, 6-7, Roseville – Um, where did this guy come from? After a quiet freshman season at ATAP, George looked like a future NBA prospect at his new school. Tall, long and explosive, George threw down some SportsCenter-worthy slams while also draining four 3-pointers. The sophomore earned an offer from Detroit Mercy for his efforts. Elite potential here.
Ignire Muhammad, 6-4, Warren Lincoln – Despite coming off the bench, Muhammad was clearly the best player on the court, using his height and strong frame to be nearly unguardable. Good shooter who can bully defenders on the block and around the free-throw line.
Noah Arnold, 6-7, Saginaw Heritage – He looked much more active and confident than I’ve seen in previous viewings. His ability to rebound and score in the post could help Heritage separate from other teams. The Saginaw Valley signee will be in for a monster season if he continues to believe in his abilities.

Day 3 (Monday):

Dylan Gross, 5-9, Rockford – In a game full of stars, Gross shone brightest with an incredible display of shooting, including the game-winning 3-pointer in double overtime. Fearless competitor who provides a spark on both ends of the court with his passion and skill.
Jordan McDaniel, 5-9, Brother Rice – Quicker than a water bug gliding across a pool. An almost automatic bucket who consistently beats his first and second line of defense. Plays as a score-first point guard in the mold of Allen Iverson or Isaiah Thomas. Sky is the limit for this wunderkind.
Julius Wilson, 6-2, LCN – Crafty player who finds seams in the defense and can score in a variety of ways. Kind of a lone offensive threat on this team, yet skill finds ways to efficiently put the ball in the hoop. He should be a really nice addition for Wayne State.
Jakobie Louris, 6-4, AH Avondale – Tall, athletic guard who can run the show or play on the wing. His put-back sealed the win against a tough Grand Blanc team. He’s been collecting D2 offers, but could certainly play D1 basketball with an improved outside shot. Entertaining player to watch.
Cortez Porter, 5-10, Davison – Passionate floor general with a pretty mid-range jumper. Great passer with excellent court vision. Leader on the court who can also make some outside shots. Spirited player who needs to make sure that energy remains positive.

Day 4 (Tuesday):

Micah Williams, 6-2, Holt – Really athletic and solid all-around player. Showed a nose for scoring and did a nice job rebounding. Solid passer who looked like he could play multiple positions and look comfortable doing it. On a team filled with athleticism, he stood out in many ways.
Noah Holt, 6-4, Detroit Mumford – What a pure jumpshot. Barely missed, while rising over defenders to knock down shots. Good size for a wing, and could still grow a little. Played with great poise, letting the game come to him. Didn’t have to take a lot of shots to make his impact as a leading scorer. Definitely a D1 player. Power-4 if he grows an inch and adds some muscle.
Terrell General, 6-6, Saginaw United – He did everything in this game, extending plays, grabbing rebounds and scoring in a variety of ways. Came away very impressed with his effort and basketball I.Q. Definitely a guy who could start at JUCO, improve his shot and make a D2 or D1 roster.
Izzy Plair, 5-9, Chippewa Valley – Super quick lead guard who can score and dish. Routinely scoring around 20 points this season and might emerge as a top-10 sophomore in the state by the end of the winter. Sleeper team who has two little guards to egnite the crowd.
Jovaan Daniels, 5-10, Hudsonville – One of the best players in the state, and for some reason doesn’t get talked about enough. He’s a point guard who scores 20 a game, but he can also dish it and create. Should be a D2 college player, easily with his skill and intelligence on the court.