Guard play can make or break the camp experience for the other players. The 2015 Bank Hoops Underclassman All-State Minicamp was lucky that most of the backcourt play was unselfish. Here are some of the guard standotus.
Jacob Boonyasith 6-3 So Jenison: He helped his cause before the balls came out when he measured at 6-3. Heads up, played at his pace and able to get the ball where he wants. Used his size to rebound and made the right, simple bounce passes on the break. Can create, shoot and score from all three levels, though didn’t always finish as strong as he can when the athletes started flying around the hoop. Not just a shooter, had some nice drop-offs from the drive as well. Top 10 combo guard in the 2018 class.
Nathan Burk 5-10 Fr Jackson Western: “Crafty lefty who could really shoot it,” a coach said. “Able to create his own shot and get easy baskets for teammates.”
Denver Cade 6-0 So Buckley: Shot it without hesitation, with confidence, and looked like the player who helped Parallel 45 win tournaments in May. Tough from well beyond the arc and has a mid-range counter game. Strong with the ball and rebounds. Needs to develop explosion and repertoire to finish against bigger and more athletic players.
Nigel Colvin 6-1 Fr Taylor Prep: Taylor Prep was well-represented and Colvin is another newcomer with potential. All drive, but usually did some good things when he did.
Caleb Cooper 5-6 So Holt: One of the more serious defenders in camp. A pass-first point guard on the other end. Lefty with a quick release when he did shoot it.
Jason Dietz 6-2 So Troy: Does a lot of smart subtle stuff which combined with what looks like will end up legit next-level size for his position and this is a kid to follow. Knack for being in the right spot to make plays. Can score from the arc, but over next three years will have to become a knock-down shooter for the next level.
Bryce Drews 6-2 So Hillsdale: One of the biggest point guards in the 2018 class, and still showed some breakdown game against smaller defendres. He was on a talented team at camp and did a good job finding the hot hands while stepping up and hitting shots on his own. He’ll be a four-year starter for Hillsdale.
Justin Fischer 6-1 So Warren De La Salle: No team had two guards out there playing harder than the one with Fischer and Muskegon’s Willie Shanks. The former is a top 10 point guard in the 2018 class. Would pick you up and really compete defensively. Active and talked on D; got into the passing lane with both hands and feet. Made the right decisions on the break. He’ll give the Pilots the true point guard they missed in 2015.
Tyree France 5-5 8th New Haven: In games when he was able to get up and down so that size didn’t matter, made some great passes on the break. He didn’t just hit the streaking wings, but found trailers too. A coach’s son, and it showed.
Carey Haney 5-10 Fr Williamston: Drive-and-pitch point guard with speed to spare off the outlet. Cut smartly when he didn’t have the ball. Knocked down the 3 when he had time to step into it. Good tools that will really come to the fore as the game becomes more natural.
Alex Hanshaw 6-0 Fr Thornapple Kellogg: Good complementary player because he often found himself in the right spots, made the right decisions finding shooters, while using his size to score inside. Has a forward’s game, but guard height.
Payton Harley 6-0 So Wyoming Godwin Heights: Another of Godwin Heights’ impressive camp contingent. Liked him much better than at other camps because of improved shot selection, showing the ability to catch and shoot or create his own space when he did choose to score. Responded to challenges without losing overall focus. Needs to improve passing execution, keep it crisp when he’s playing the point.
Austin Harris 6-1 So Buckley: He’s able to keep the ball away from smaller guards when they have it, and use his size advantage to hound them when they have it. Kept the ball hot and knocked down shots when it was his turn. Made 3s from the catch or dribble. Has a point guard handle and college size, with the decision making developing.
“Looks like he doesn’t miss when he spots up,” a coach said. “One of my favorite guys to coach because he was a great teammate. Looks like he thrives off of defense. Play went up a level every time he made a stop.”
Zach Hernandez 5-10 So Portage Central: True point guard who knew how to make things easy with the bounce pass.
Ronald Jeffery 5-7 Fr New Haven: Fast with a motor, he was one of the most active and aggressive defenders in camp. Needs refinement on offense.
Jake Jensen 5-8 Fr Clarkston: Confident shooter who played well off his big men. Picked his spots to drive, but if didn’t draw foul tended to get to deep and swallowed up by the size in the paint.
Robert Johnson 5-8 Fr Northville: For a rising freshman, he has a rare combination of athleticism to finish in the lane with a skill level to get there when he wanted. Looked good pushing the ball. Johnson could be an elite guard in the class of 2019 as the perimeter on his jumper continues to grow.
Artavious King 6-0 So Holt: A top 10 combo guard in the 2018 class. Combination of powerful build and burgeoning skill level make him really tough for other underclassmen to handle when he’s attacking the basket.
Cole Kleiver 5-11 So Williamston: Solid, steady ball-handler. Strong and confident enough to handle it full-court with defenders riding him. Got into the paint with an assortment of shake-free moves and made smart plays. Will be a capable replacement for Riley Lewis next season.
“Can shoot it,” a coach said. “Understated calm, cool baller.”
Matt Loney 6-2 So Frankfort: One of the most productive players in camp. With a 6-7 wingspan can check the 1-4. Pushed the ball well, with good blend of energy, athleticism and hoops IQ which allows him to set a quick pace while still making good decisions. Finishes well with combination of extension and skill. Improving as a shooter.
“Loved the way he shot the ball, he can really fill it up all over the floor,” a coach said. “He rarely missed when open. Love his length, he always plays hard and he is super fundamental. Was a fun teammate, always encouraging.”
Ryan McMullen 6-3 So Gull Lake: “Good slasher and athlete,” said a coach. “Really nice size for a high school wing. Has a lot of upside.”
Demond Mills-Bradley 5-8 So Clarkston: Very quick. Made good decisions on the break. Sometimes sat on dribble too long.
“He can score and shoot and play the game the right way,” a coach said. “Outstanding attitude also and great sportsmanship.”
Goliath Mitchell 5-11 So Goodrich: He played varsity ball as a freshman then a lot of high-end AAU ball with the Mustangs, and the pedigree was evident in his business-like approach to drills. Solid all-around point guard, with the increasing physical tools to make him a prospect. Won’t wow but the kind of guard coaches want out there. Had a nice pass-shot balance. Used the glass well.
Noah Pruitt 5-4 8th Okemos: He was solid in drills then despite his size was able to see that success carry over to the games. Smooth and confident with the ball, and also made smart, strong cuts without it. Patient waiting for daylight and finding his own scoring chances.
Gerald Sambaer 6-1 So Okemos: Good speed with the ball in the open court. Improved shot selection will make those advantages that much more dangerous.
Jon Sanders 5-4 Fr Detroit CMA: Left-handed point guard with a good skill level and game IQ. For now lacks the physicality to always see through on his good intentions.
Hunter Schattler 5-9 So Rochester: Looks like a young John Flynn with his strength, skill level and knack for scoring the ball.
“Basketball player,” said one coach. “Can score, shoot and pass. Understands the game and makes teams guard him.”
“Extremely skilled guard,” said another. “You can tell he has done a lot of skill training. Look forward to see how he performs in the OAA this season.”
Nic Sura 6-1 8th St. Joseph, East Lansing: He’s got some chutzpah to his game, didn’t look like an 8th-grader out there as the most physically ready of the middle school guards. Could score off the bounce and spot up for the 3. Lanky basketball build that looks like it could eventually give him legit college wing size.
Sam Vasiu 5-4 8th Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern: Another middle schooler that impressed with his decision making. If he ends up as tall as his brother, sophomore Benson Vasiu, it gets interesting.
Hayden Voss 5-11 Fr Dansville: Made some smart decisions on the screen-and-roll, which will make for a profitable future paired at Dansville wit 6-8 freshman Caleb Hodgson.
Chase Wasilk 6-3 So Clarkston: What you like about Wasilk is he doesn’t have to dominate the ball to produce. Uses his length defensively. Good in the halfcourt because he knows how to work it into the post and he can knock down the 3. He’ll be a college player; if he starts playing lower, slashing, more aggressive as he matures, it will be at an even higher level.
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