All-State Camp: 2018 First Team

MVP  Bryce Washington  6-4  Sr  Southfield Christian: Used to playing with talent both at Southfield Christian and The Family, and Washington brought the same unselfish ethos to camp. Transition menace with double-digit D1 offers and nearly 4.0 gpa. Finishes easily going both ways. Tall and athletic enough to get the rebound, then use explosive first step to clear himself of the crowd and push the ball. In the half-court, makes the extra pass, skip pass and attacks gaps with the dribble drawing fouls. Scrapped on the offensive glass. Needs to get stronger, tougher to finish through contact when defenses contract.

“Bryce is the equivalent of a five-tool player in baseball, as he does everything on the court pretty well” a coach said. “He’s best in the open floor, whether it’s with the ball or filling the wing. Scores it well and makes good decisions when in the lane. Very good overall athlete and seems like the type of kid who would’ve been good at whatever sport he dedicated himself to. Excellent teammate and very coachable. If there is a weakness to his game, it would be his ability to create his own shot in the half-court.”

Tevin Ali  6-6  Sr  Lansing Waverly: In his three years as a camper, has steadily evolved and improved, emerging as an athletic, versatile, legit college prospect. Gets off the floor really easily to dunk or block shots. But not just running and jumping around, a smart position defender too, who can also get out on the floor and check.

“One of the best rebounders I saw,” one coach said. “Ran the floor extremely well, finished in traffic and even threw one down over his defender.”

“Ali is a superb athlete,” another coach said. “A beast in transition that makes you think twice about drawing a charge. He runs the wings like a man on a mission and can lead the break off a rebound if he has real estate to work with. He’s a big guard at the next level in my mind. Can defend a variety of positions, in high school all five spots, and in college at least three. He’s a consistent jumper away from being a very recruitable kid.”

Caleb Cooper  5-10  Sr  Holt: He should thrive under new Holt coach Darren Zwick, who was one of the best in the business in his last stint in the Mitten at Lansing Catholic. Passes the most important point guard criterion — others want to play with him. Why? Cooper puts the ball right where teammates need it, whether bigs rolling to the hoop. shooters spotting up or runners and cutters on the break (even had a touch-past assist), hits ’em in the hands repeatedly. Is patient and will find post-feed angles. Very quick and can break down his man and finish naturally with either hand if there’s not a 6-9 waiting for him. Fast, aggressive, gambler on defense who works hard to get over screens.

“Super quick and crafty point guard who plays with confidence and knows how to create angles to score and pass,” a coach said. “He’s an efficient killer in transition who can score or kick it out on time. Knows how to get his shot off inside despite being smaller. Was good from 3 and in the lane, but didn’t observe much of a mid-range game. He’ll need to have one if he’s going to be effective at the next level with better rim protectors. Competes on defensive end and good communicator.”

Cole Kleiver  5-11  Sr  Williamston: All-state guard from Bank Hoops’ preseason No. 1 Class B team. Plays with a ton of confidence and you would too if you shot it like Kleiver. Also a slick handle and able to get into the lane to score or pass with either hand.

“Crafty guard who can kill you from deep,” a coach said. “Plays with swagger. Makes very good decisions with the ball in transition and does a good job of passing peole open. Plays tough defense but is limited somewhat by size and athleticism. Sometimes gets in trouble when he tries to do too much, so just needs to realize that sometimes simpler is better.”

Luke Toliver  6-2  Sr  Paw Paw: If it’s possible to be overlooked and slept on despite having a 50-point high school game as an underclassman, Toliver may qualify. Played very hard in drills and games. Lots of bounce and energy. Eager and tough defensive rebounder for a guard. More scorer than shooter. Smooth and confident and nice elevation, not always consistent, shot from deep and then can counter with pull-ups or create and go all the way in. Toliver will attack space and if closely guarded not explosive, but uses an assortment of fakes, look-offs to create opportunities. Ideal motion offense guy because he’ll pass, screen away, then is able to score from various spots, even post up. Unselfish on the break and doesn’t sit on the ball in the half-court. Would like to see him play lower on defense.

“Got buckets in drills and games,” a coach said. “Worked extremely hard. Very impressed by his tough shot-making ability.”

Javien Torrence-Jackson  6-2  Sr  River Rouge: The Panthers are becoming Point Guard U, as well as Hyphenated Name State, with Torrence-Jackson succeeding Darian Owens-White and Lamonta Stone, now at Wayne State and EMU respectively. JTJ is different than those guys, in that he’s physically imposing for the position, with strength and length. He was the defender who caused the most problems for Drew Lowder, a junior point guard with multiple D1 offers. Communicated on the defensive end. Offensively surprised smaller guards because he was still able to break them down off the dribble, and as a lefty already had them unbalanced. Looked like a real point guard running pick-and-roll, handling ball on the break and dishing off in the lane. Would like to see more legs, less upper body, on the jumpshot, and more right-handed finishes.