Reynaldo Cheney 6-8 Jr Grand Rapids Creston
There are so many 6-8 prospects in the 2014 class, and when it comes to athleticism and potential, Cheney is right near the top.
"He looked to be in a different class, athletically, than the rest of the post players at the camp," one coach said. "I also like the fact that he can handle the ball a little bit. There were a number of times that he took a rebound and led the break himself. His mid-range shooting could improve, and that would help his game a lot. The No. 1 thing that I'd like to see from the kid though is playing hard all the time. He seemed to take a lot of plays off, and that holds him back from completely dominating a game at both ends. If he were more focused and willing to sell out, I would say, 'Scary good prospect!'"
Said another: "He's a kid getting Division 1 attention because of his potential and athleticism. He has tremendous upside, but again seems to be another Grand Rapids big with a "soft" label. Not much of a back-to-the-basket game, more of a pure dunker and 12-foot shot kind of big."
And another: "Very athletic kid with great hands and ball skills. Can finish with both hands around the hoop is is a tough check for other bigs away form the hoop due to his ability to put it on the deck. Finishes with dunks in the open court. Plays with a better motor than in the past, especially on the other end. A very good defender, but seemed to lack a little competitive toughness when it came to defending."
Deitrich Cole 6-9 Jr Southfield-Lathrup
Liked him at Toledo's camp, and again here at Aim High. A similar prospect to Jordan Moses (below), but a tad taller and played with more energy. Really active. Runs the floor and is able to turn ends. Executed the rebound-pivot-outlet-run sequence smoothly. Blocked a lot of shots, but would bite at times. Has a soft shooting touch when facing up. Needs to develop a post-up game.
Ian Cooper 6-8 Jr Greenville
He's been working on his game despite playing football. He has the body of a post banger and isn't afraid to take a hit. Set solid screens. The key is finishing shots -- with or without contact. Seems to have gotten the message, and at post-camp workouts he's been looking to finish plays with dunks.
Jeff Koch 6-8 Sr Troy Athens
A long-time camper is a finesse 4 man who has post moves and really runs the floor, just waiting for the upper body so he can bang. Koch was assertive all day long.
"His speed and quickness have improved noticeably since the last Bank Hoops Showcase," a coach said. "Playing with confidence and running the floor. Great sign that he is still improving."
"Athletic big who is very skilled offensively," said another coach. "He can hit the open jumper as well as play with his back to the basket. Needs to continue to get stronger so that he can battle better on the defensive end. He's a very good offensive rebounder, but very average defensive rebounder."
Clarke Lamb 6-6 So St. Clair
Well-coached, in terms of positioning and knowing how to play the post. It's just a matter of getting the physicality to be able to play that style as a varsity player.
Jordan Moses 6-8 Jr Detroit Loyola
"Tall, lanky and still growing," a coach said. "Moses has greatly improved since last season. Plays with a better motor in the past, but needs to play all game like that. Seems to play hard in stretches. An imposing force on defense. Blocked shots and rebounded well on both ends of the court. Needs to continue to get stronger in order to hold his spot in the post off his seal."
Michael Nicholson 6-7 Jr Clarkston
Blue-collar kid with and some upside; long arms and can run. Does the unglamorous things to contribute, defending the post, rebounding, getting tip-ins. Has two more seasons to improve offensively.
Aaron Overhiser 6-5 So Fennville
Good post presence. Liked to bang more than a lot of young guys. Didn't finish consistently in the game I saw.
Adam Rayner 7-0 Sr Muskegon Mona Shores
Almost immeasurably better than he was at his first camp in 2011. There were stretches when he embraced being and played like the biggest player on the court. Which is virtually every time he steps on the court, there's no larger center in Michigan. Rayner dunked in traffic and blocked shots. He got deep post position and his teammates got him the ball, but didn't convert many of them in the game I saw. Made a couple nice passes off the blocks to cutters. /He'll never be fast, but when Rayner is hitting those shots, it's worth waiting for him.
"Huge kid who has greatly improved from last year," a coach said. "Still needs to be in better condition so he can play the game harder for a longer time. Not very good offensively outside of 10 feet. Lacks athleticism, so needs to continue to work on using that big body to his advantage."
Max Recknagel 6-7 Jr Saline
He plays rugged and with some attitude, the kind of kid who seems to enjoy what being a post or 4 entails. Not afraid to deliver, or take, a hit. Max had good feel, timing, footwork on the blocks, working patiently but efficiently to find shots, while also showing a competent jumper to 17 feet. If he gets more explosive, with Recknagel's grades and game demeanor he'll have some nice options a year from now.
"Physical player, a true banger," a coach said. "Boxes out without thinking about it which puts him in position to dominate the defensive glass. Makes up for his lack of elevation with great use of his body. Doesn't seem to get his shot blocked. A Bill Laimbeer clone since he can rebound and knock down the open jumper."
Logan Spiker 6-8 Jr Holly
More firm and athletic than at past camps. Rebounded and ran hard consistently from rim to rim. Nice shooting touch to mid-range. Good hoops IQ, and with his improved body has really helped himself in the quest to separate from the deep group of 6-8 kids in the 2014 class.
John Rexroth 6-8 So Farmington Hills Harrison
The first thing you notice about Rexroth is he already has legit post size and just going into his sophomore season. Tuned in, coachable. Scored one-on-one in drills, and was patient and able to pass or score during the games. Could be a D1 prospect eventually if he gets explosion, over-the-rim finishes.
Cole Walker 6-6 So Elk Rapids
Moves well, pretty smooth and coordinated. What he does best is make shots from 15 feet. Walker played in underclassmen game so was always one of the biggest kids out there, but rarely took advantage and asserted himself physically. Still young and lacking the edge to his game to make it out of Northern Michigan at 6-6. Those that do, like Scott Friske, Cory Starkey and most of all Brian Snider, all learned to play mean.
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