Michigan high school basketball doesn’t have an official transfer portal, but sometimes it kind of seems like we do.
Although the official MHSAA transfer rules are about as easy to figure out your kid’s trigonometry homework, many players still move rosters every year.
Here are some high-impact transfers ready to make waves this season:
Bryton Nostrant, 5-11, Midland Dow – It’s been a while since either Midland team has made waves in basketball. Nostrant transferring from Alpena to Dow firmly changes that. Nostrant will pair up with fellow sophomore Dylan Hodges (6-8) who is also a top-50 player in the class. These two could form a potent partnership over the next three years.
Troy Waldron Jr., 6-1, Rockford – Waldron has dropped a bit as a recruit since his freshman season at North Farmington, but he’s still a stud point guard who is great at leading an offense. He’s also one of the bst on-the-ball defenders in the state, using his length and quickness to close lanes. His addition to Rockford makes the Rams favorites to repeat as state champs.
Dallas Higelmire, 6-5, Jackson Northwest – The tall, well-built point guard makes the move from Springport to help a talented team make a long run. A D1 Jackson school has not reached the Breslin Center since the turn of the century, so his presence should be exciting to basketball fans in the area.
Quincy Wright, 6-7, East Lansing – Wright, who was last seen in an Orchard Lake jersey on the back end of the Eaglets’ three straight trips to the Breslin Center, has bounced around different rosters over the past year-plus, but reports claim he’s now at East Lansing. If true, and he’s ruled eligible, East Lansing could again be contenders with a tall and talented roster.
I.G. Muhammad, 6-5, Brother Rice – Our top-ranked player in Michigan’s junior class, Muhammad is a tall, physical wing who can knock down outside shots and bully defenders closer to the basket. Brother Rice will have an interesting group of freshmen, transfers and shooters. If it all comes together, this team will be entertaining and very good.
Noah Holt, 6-5, Roseville – Holt’s whereabouts has been a tight-lipped secret all summer, but I’ve heard reports that this is his new home. Holt has multiple D1 offers as a knock-down shooter. If he does actually suit up here, His presence would make Roseville a state-title contender.
Preston Parmentier, 5-11, L’anse Creuse North – Big-time scorer gives LCN a true scoring point guard who can also make his teammates better. This team could emerge as a Breslin sleeper if all the pieces come together.
Benjamin Varrie, 6-5, Benton Harbor – Perhaps the best player the Tigers have had since Wilson Chandler. Varrie, a transfer from St. Joe., has started picking up D1 offers as a long, athletic forward who can get to the basket and hit mid-range shots. Benton Harbor has a really elite quartet of players with Varrie now in the fold.
Martez Jackson, 6-4, Lansing Sexton – Jackson never seemed to be in favor at Waverly, but he will now ply his potential at Sexton, where his size and length should immediately help a small yet good squad. Jackson glides through the lane and has become great around the basket. He could help Sexton make a deep tournament run.
Devin Brown, 6-2, Divine Child – If this one is indeed official, it could be the biggest transfer of them all. Brown looks like a linebacker, but he can throw down some monster dunks, run an offense and hit 3-pointers. He’s a great all-around player with D1 offers, ready to help this deep roster make a state-title run.
Peyton Kemp, 6-1, Ferndale – This is another mega transfer. Kemp, a Robert Morris commit, is a confident lead guard with tremendous feel for the game. He’s smart and crafty getting to the basket, and he rarely turns the ball over. He’s an elite offensive player who could make Ferndale the best team in the state regardless of division.
Clifford Brown, 6-4, Detroit Country Day – Sophomore wing didn’t make an impact at Brother Rice last year, but joined the max exodus out after the Warriors finally reached a Final Four. Tremendous upside on both ends of the court, Brown could help lessen the sting of DCD losing Christian Cast to prep school.
Alex Dunn, 6-9, Jonesville – One of the tallest players in the state has been relatively quiet as a prospect. Now a senior, Dunn joins an already super tall frontcourt, giving D3 Jonesville a ridiculous advantage in the post. Dunn could have a big breakout and still get plenty of D1 and D2 college interest.
Carter Estelle, 6-8, Tri-Unity Christian – Tall, lanky forward with great length and skills around the basket. Solid rebounder, but he could improve there with better overall strength. Estelle will be one of the better bigs the Defenders have had in recent seasons, adding to an already potent lineup.
Leave a comment