College Carryover Skills from Underclassman Camp

DeWitt sophomore Adam Flannery defends at the Bank Hoops Underclassman Camp.

While college ball is years off if these players are so lucky, it can come at you fast. These are some prospect from the Bank Hoops Underclassman Camp who have at least one skill to stand out to college coaches to be recruited in the first place then be what Ferris State coaches call a “carryover” skill once on campus to get on the court while the rest of their game matures.

Darius Baker  6-3  So  Parchment: New Parchment coach Dave Jones inherits some good young talent that was on display here between Baker and freshman guard Jalen Kampen. Baker’s next-level looks will come from his length and quick-twitch athleticism on the wing. Finishes above the rim on the break, and has enough skill with the ball and with the good first step can score in the half-court too. He has the size and ups to be a serious defender and rebounder too as Baker matures.

Jaxson Childers  6-2  So  Benzie Central: It’s hard for a ball-dominant guard from Up North to be a scholarship player, but Childers has the chance to be an outlier. The difference here is his first step off the bounce and wiggle thereafter, while also showing the potential to counter that with traditional small school perimeter shot-making. Similar in style and talent to Peter Bunn, a small school star at Lansing Christian who went on to play at Oakland and Hope College.

Adam Flannery  5-10  So  DeWitt: Lineage counts, and being the son of a coach counts a lot in the eyes of other coaches. Adam’s the son of a good one, Bill Flannery at DeWitt, so he know how to play, but that only gets you so far — he can play, too. Different than his brother Nate, now at Spring Arbor as more of a set-up point guard, the younger of the brethren has shot-making swag, with guys on him not just knocking down open looks.

TJ Nadeau  6-4  So  Novi Catholic Central: He had the positional size, “play well with others” gene and a three-point ball to contribute right off as a freshman in the state’s best league, skills and intangibles that could help him again in four years. Uses his frame well defensively. Very consistent form on the three-pointer, and does enough off the ball to stay on the court without having to run things for him and be an alpha option — Yet.

Jaxson Whittaker  6-3  So  Muskegon Reeths-Puffer: He has a chance because of his size at the two-guard, and can really shoot it. Ideal arc, feathery touch, and holds his ground and follow-through even against good closeouts, speeding up his release if he has too without sacrificing balance. Can counter with drives or passes once he gets rolling, and could be a serious problem as an upperclassman if the closeout attacks end with explosive power finishes.