Mr. Basketball Finalist: Tyler Jamison

Port Huron Northern Mr. Basketball finalist Tyler Jamison.

Only one of the five Mr. Basketball finalists is playing in-state next year. Part of that majority diaspora is Port Huron Northern’s Tyler Jamison. He’s going the farthest, from the Blue Water Bridge to the George Washington Bridge where next season he’ll join freshly NCAA Tournament-bound Farleigh Dickinson. Jamison has been posting numbers that look like they’re taken from NBA-length games and pace for years now, making it impossible to keep this versatile 6-5 guard off the ballot. Here’s a look at his prep career, back to his freshman season.

Steal This (Record) Book, Jan. 22: Contrary to what one might first assume, the vast majority of the most prolific single-player scoring games in the state record book came before the three-point line. This one nearly was. Jamison made 19-of-26 field goals — and just 1-for-1 from behind the arc. He also made 20-of-25 free throws. Jamison’s prior school mark had been 47 points. There weren’t many cheap ones among his 59, as Cousino usually had guys waiting for him around the basket — thus the free throws.  And Jamison is the master of the awkward finish, and force-fed buckets from various angles after Euros or spin moves. He three times rebounded and scored on his own misses, and had three two-handed dunks. Two of those were clear pick sixes, the final a bit more under duress. Jamison also had 20 rebounds and six assists. He’s a good passer in hectic lane environs, both for dump-offs or finding shooters, and could have conceivably had a triple-double with a little luck.

Sonned: Coaches’ kids go off in rivalry games, Dec. 21: Jamison, a 6-4 junior and the son of Port Huron Northern coach Brian Jamison, scored 40 as the Huskies beat Port Huron for their first win of the year. He had five dunks while playing point guard, including a particularly demoralizing, to opponent Port Huron, steal and two-hander at the end of the first half. He has an array of spin moves, behind-back dribbles, semi Euro steps, but all kept tight despite his size, and are downhill, aggressive, without gratuitous movement or dribbling. His most impressive bucket may have come on a crossover, pull-up transition jump shot, right in rhythm. Didn’t force much despite scoring 40, and has good passing vision off of penetration and can mix it up to pass or shoot from the wings. A few days prior he showed he could produce and play a similar style against much better competition, when Jamison scored 25 against Novi Catholic Central, often operating size against size. Could be more aggressive and play to his physical tools on defense. A mid-major point guard prospect with a 4.0 gpa.

Going Off: Soph Star Tyler Jamison, Feb. 21: 39 points and 17 rebounds in a 63-57 win at L’anse Creuse.Jamison was a catalyst throughout, putting pressure on L’anse Creuse’s defense going to the rim and making things happen, He may have Moses Maloned it a bit on the offensive glass but it usually ended up with a layup or free throws. He shoots it easily from 20 as well, making it a tough cover because he’s a triple-threat from the top or wings. Jamison has feel and vision as a passer, and the hoops IQ of the coach’s son he is (with a 4.0+ gpa). If anything he welcomes the double team as he can pass out or split it. Can get lower than defenders may expect at 6-4. Versatile enough to play as a passer/cutter, or ball-dominant force the issue and fill the stat sheet modern guard. Plays with energy on defense as well.

Tyler Jamison.

Class of 2023 standouts from BCAM/GVSU, June 21: When the new CMU staff is fully moved in and up to speed, Jamison would seem like an obvious priority offer in the 2023 class. Rare mix of old school toughness and hoop joy, and 21st century offense. A true triple threat and at the high school level a horse in the lane. Already looks like a college guard at 6-4, 190.

PH Northern Freshman Can Go, Dec. 19: Jamison is a triple-threat wing guard who is a deadeye three-point shooter given a half-second to line it up. He hits them off transition or in the half-court, then is able to counter closeouts with a big first step. What really makes him a potentially special player is his passing. He’s able to look over the top of similarly aged guards and drops dimes over the top of the defense from the fast break. Sometimes he doesn’t even have to dribble, and can make three-quarter court outlet pass assists. Jamison will also pass off the drive. Has a pull-up at the elbows in transition, the shot John Beilein says you have to be able to make to play college basketball given its necessity in a 3-on-2 break. Uses some subtle — and for his age uncommon — pass-fakes and feigns to get daylight for the three-pointer. Can look great when cutting; willing screener; needs to be more active moving off the ball when behind the arc. Jamison has good instincts and quickness defensively, whether recovering in the half-court or trapping on the other end. In age group play he’s usually one of the bigger players out there, but isn’t correspondingly physical, shying from defending the rim or going out of his way to hit someone to rebound. Even when playing on the perimeter in high school, he’ll need that kind of physicality and toughness.