Bank Hoops All-State Camp: Lift off recruits

Grand Rapids Christian senior guard Donovan Thames.

Seize the day, indeed. These prospects either jumped a tier in college recruiting status, or fully laid a stake in that field, with their play at the Bank Hoops All-State Camp.

Jaden Alger  6-4  So  Boyne City: His frame and athleticism made him look at home among upperclassmen; great legs and wide shoulders. He was a plus player in 15U AAU, and now after a summer of work is much more skilled. Knocked down the 3. Active, will find a body, get the ball out of his space. Typical Boyne City trajectory of take a tough athletic kid, teach fundamentals and shooting and watch them flourish and put out a winning product, with college prospects, year after year.

Ty Kohlmann  6-4  Sr  New Lothrop: Think Class D guys can’t hoop? Small schoolers like Chris Hass, Bakari Evelyn, Evan Bruinsma, Bryce Washington, and Lindsey Hunter are all camp alumni who played D1 college ball. Kohlmann projects similarly to camp alumnus Andrew Kline, a big guard who just finished a tremendous career at Rochester University out of Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes. Looked at home with or moving without the ball. Height and high-arcing shot makes him dangerous from various ranges and angles.

“This player informed me while in my station that he jumps center and plays point guard at New Lothrop,” a coach said. “This is the type of player that can prosper at the next level, not to mention his 4.o+ gpa and 1400 sat. He made shots in stations and he made shots, rebounded and got several assists in the games, true to what he said earlier about his role on his high school team.”

Carter Meerman  6-0  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: He’s always delivered when given the shot, like a seven 3 game against Cedar Springs; or Ferris State’s camp where he tested like a shorter Calvin Johnson at the NFL combine and later received an early offer from the Bulldogs. So it’s not like he couldn’t play. This was just a great chance to see him up close over hours and he delivered consistently. Meerman is an outlier off the bat as a 6-0 guard needing an XL jersey then dunking in games. Comes with pressure on D then pushes it right back at you with the ball. Tough shooter-drive combo who loves to get a shoulder into his man and take the lead. What 2024 guard has been better college prepped than he, going against camp alumni Kaden Brown and Durral Brooks every day? While being coached by a former D1 point guard, his uncle.

Donovan Thames  5-11  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian: Crafty, consistent and competitive like you’d hope from a vet guard from one of the state’s best leagues; coming from under the tutelage with the Eagles of one of GR’s all-time point guards. Don’t let the gait fool you, this is an explosive athlete who snaked through the lane then consistently finished at or above the rim. Lefty can sometimes aim his shot but when clicks can roll from 20. Kept the ball hot and teammates involved with classic drive-and-kicks.

“I was very impressed with his all-around game and his ability to get on a roll both defensively and offensively simultaneously,” a coach said. “Makes shots whether they’re given to him or he creates for himself.”

Donny Yeager  5-10  Jr  Saginaw Nouvel: Dynamic ball-handler in the open court who has a second-gear and can pull off high-difficulty moves at speed. While known as a shooter — and he is, with the coveted mindset of always thinking the next one is going down; a trait shared by his brother MJ Yeager — Donny also has a gift with the energy he gives the ball. He changes speed, sets pace, makes the extra pass, and gets teammates in groove with each other confident, passing, shooting themselves. Can work off ball screens in the half court. He’s willing on D. Agains whom he can do it will determine college level.