Bank Hoops All-State Camp: Got the look

Some players will get the benefit of the doubt from coaches on first glance — they have the physical tools not just height but frame and wingspan and athleticism — to easily project to the college level. That gives these players from the Bank Hoops All-State Camp a headstart to prove they have the corresponding skill for it all to converge as scholarship talent.

Libertyville, Ill. senior Ayden Boone.

Aidyn Boone  6-6  Sr  Libertyville, Ill.: Just a big all-around kid, and projected to get to 6-7. Looks physically like Justin Keenan, the Ferris State great via Ottawa Hills. Which made it all the more impressive how the Chicago-area senior could get low and slide against wings on defense. Similarly surprised with agility on offense with a deft up-and-under. Shoots it from the shoulder but the form is good and it went in, again and again, past the three-point arc. More plays within 20 feet — post ups, slips, curls, cuts — to take advantage of his frame and Boone’s three-point shot becomes all the more valuable.

“He looked like he could play — then in stations and games, proved he could,” a coach said. “He showed his all-around court skills in games when he’d grab rebounds in traffic and initiate breaks; good ball-handler. A likeable player among his peers and those of us coaching.”

Byron Center junior JJ Brock.

Jayden Brock  6-4  Jr  Byron Center: Could pass for a college player with his frame and physique, a shorter version of camp alumnus Owen Lobsinger. It’s not for show though as Brock is blue collar out of Byron Center, a true MSU-style rebounder who can hit a man without getting tied up, then explode to get the ball outside his area. Competitive defender guarding the rim or the wings. Sometimes thinks too much when the simple move will do in the lane, a steady diet of reverse Mikans, form shooting, rim taps, and the finishing percentage will skyrocket.

Izaya Larthridge  6-4  Fr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: Learn to spell that name. A do-it-all forward debut not dissimilar from CC alumnus Jack Karasinski at a similar age at camp.

“This young man is good and has the upside to be very, very good before leaving high school,” a coach said.k “Does many things well already and it’s hard to pick one specific thing, so I’ll talk about his defense. He rebounds very well and is a shot-blocker who makes good outlet passes and runs the lanes after making the pass.”

Grand Rapids Northview senior Tyran Thomas.

Tyran Thomas  6-3  Sr  Grand Rapoids Northview: His first step and quick explosion off the floor are both very high percentile.

“Listed at 6-3, but played above the rim on both ends of the court,” a coach said. “Has a lot of bounce and had multiple dunks in every game, mostly of the highlight variety. Was very good on the glass and would jump from one side of the basket to the other in pursuit of rebounds.”

Farmington junior Jaden Turner.

Jaden Turner  6-5  Jr  Farmington: Big body end-runner, slasher and dunker. Good feel, touch, creativity around the rim. His motor through the end of the day. Less is more with the handles — find the perimeter from which one can hit the shot consistently and finish with one-dribble moves, channel the momentum and dominate within. Plays for one of the very best to do it, Derrick McDowell, at Farmington.