All-State Camp: Top Prospect Team

6-9 junior homeschooler Luke Maranka turned heads and impressed coaches with his all-around game at the 13th-annual Bank Hoops All-State Camp.

MVP  Luke Maranka  6-9  Jr  Hoop Heaven (home school): Intriguing combination of size and skills, defending the rim like a center and handling the ball like a wing. Can face up and use a big step to get from 20 feet to the rim similar to Bank Hoops Camp alumnus Holden Greiner, who was an all-league forward at Lehigh. Aggressive and active in drills looking to dunk. Soft touch on the turnaround jumper. Not a bevy of low-post moves, but was patient and did a good job staying patient and orientating himself to the rim when he did get post touches. Fun to play with, as he was more likely to find a cutter than jack a shot if catching the ball on the wing. If he’s going to play on the perimeter, needs to use that wingspan to close out on shooters.

“Long and athletic wing/post with the ability to put it on the deck,” a coach said. “Used his length well to create passing lanes off the drive or off the catch. May have been the best passing big at camp. Finished around the hoop. Hit the glass hard on both ends. Type of kid who can rebound and lead the break. Showed nice timing when coming over from help-side to block shots. Needs to hit the weights and get stronger, but overall I’d certainly rank him a D1 prospect with a very high ceiling.”

Pierre Brooks  6-4  Fr  Detroit Douglass: Big body for his age, so fit right in going against the upperclassman. Shots that may have been questionable at last year’s camp, were good looks this time around as he’s become more consistent. Was competitive, vocal and a leader in drills. While he can hit from three-point range, is at his best pulling up or posting up at the elbows. Good vision on the break, and the strength to deliver the ball. Able to bull his way into the lane, but would behoove Brooks to work the angles and glass instead of going over the top which is a much tougher shot — at least until he’s older and gets the bounce to make those dunks and not finger rolls. Once he learns the intensity needed daily at the varsity level, could claim status at the top freshman in the Mitten.

“Game that reminds you of a young Denzel Valentine,” a coach said. “Tough point guard whose eyes are always up the floor. Defends and plays the passing lanes very well, and seemed to be more aggressive defensively than at past camps. Once he goes from playing hard most of the time to playing hard all the time .. look out!”

Austin Harris  6-4  Sr  Buckley: Came into camp known as one of the state’s top available seniors, and did nothing to dissuade that notion. Exploded in the second game against fellow Class D all-stater Bryce Washington, hitting six consecutive three-pointers. Not just a spot-up shooter, can handle and get into the lane where he’s patient, crafty, married to his pivot foot and uses his 200-pound frame to his advantage. Point guard skills and vision leading the break. Did a good job attacking a ball-handler’s lead foot on closeouts, but needs to get his hands up.

“One of the most solid perimeter participants at camp, and can flat out stroke it!,” a coach said. “Played hard all day, and played well all day. Knocks down the open shot and drives it well enough to draw fouls, or use his body to finish when he has the space. Plays very hard on defense and uses angles well, which makes up some for his lack of elite quickness. Needs to continue to work on athleticism, but overall one of the better players I saw.”

Christopher Haut  6-8  Sr  Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central: Just scratching his potential and 4.0 gpa sweetens the deal for college programs. Long, bouncy forward who blocks shots, is agile enough to get out on the floor and defend and gives multiple efforts on the glass. Shoots the closest thing to a one-footed, full hookshot of anyone in the state. Has a long, quick first step that could be really dangerous with a foundation of rudimentary jab step moves. Left-handed, so Haut will be that much more problematic to defend as his offense evolves.

“Big man with a nice and efficient handle,” a coach said. “Fantastic rebounder. He’s very active on both ends of the floor, which is the biggest reason I feel CJ is a consistent jumpshot away from being a potentially great player. Would make the perfect stretch 4, but right now guys could play off him and limit his driving ability due to an inconsistent jumper.”

Drew Lowder  5-11  Jr  Ann Arbor Pioneer: He already has three D1 offers, a number that should continue to multiply. Strong enough, and a competitor, he held his own with taller players in drills. Can be a very good scorer off the drive or jumper, and can also be a pass-first point guard. As he continues to mature Lowder will be able to more ably mix the two and be that much more dangerous.

“Smart and tough guard who can flat out score it,” a coach said. “He’s one of the best in the entire state at getting his own shot. He can score on all three levels and finishes at whatever angle necessary to get the job done. He also showed he could pass the ball pretty well too. He’s a pest on the ball when he wants to be, but sometimes gets lost on the ball. Improved body language will also help him, as he’ll need to be a leader of his team in the coming years.”

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.”