Underclassman All-State Camp: 2022 First Team

Ashton Atwater  5-11  Fr  Otsego: Good build, can get shoulder in and attack lane. Looked natural taking a defensive rebound the other way heads up, setting up his teammates. Has some subtle, sophisticated moves to get the half-step he needs on the break. Left-handed shooter. Needs some polish in ball control, strength, finishing around the basket, but is right there. No dummy, when he was out there with Ethan Emerzian he ran the lane hard and cashed in time and again. One of the rare guards who looked to get the ball into the post.

Max Burton  6-3  Fr  Williamston: Easy looking three-point shot, bottoming out three straight from deep in one game. The heat check came up negative by trying to get the fourth one off the dribble and not the catch. Had a sneaky block from behind. Good fundamentals for his age, uses the jump stop, bounces passes. Got to offensive boards. Everything was smooth, and yet also looked on the verge of breaking out and doing much more. Very promising player, a babyface who’ll only get bigger and stronger.

Tyler DeGroote  6-5  Fr  Schoolcraft: Scored off of rebounds, probably the bulk of his game offense. Settled for outside shots without showing a corresponding post-up game, though he did use his body well to protect the ball and finish. Ran the court well, to catch and finish on the move naturally. Impressed with a follow-up dunk attempt that didn’t quite go down. Elevated on shots, which not many young big guys do. Competed defensively inside, holding his ground, quick and foul-free wrapping around, and wasn’t lost away from the basket, competing on the ball against guards.

Cooper Fairman  6-1  Fr  Saline: Stealth operator who kicked your butt with a smile. Seems to already have that basketball sixth sense and ends up in the right spots. Triple-threat wing who liked to initiate contact on the drive and was also a confident three-point shooter. Faked so well was able to attack closeouts on his shot even when it was cold. Rebounded like a forward, went to get the ball outside his area. Worked the offensive glass too. Made the extra pass in the half-court and assists on the break. Could adjust and maintain a soft touch on the move. Read smartly off the ball defensively for the “pick six,” on the ball used his length to close out on shooters.

Jackson Karasinski  6-3  Fr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: Worked hard in stations and played hard in games. Leaper with a varsity frame for an incoming freshman. Dangerous when he got a shoulder into his defender. Ran the break hard; finished left- or right-handed, and while taking fouls. Was hard to guard combining that size and mid-range game, which he often initiated by posting up, pro style. Showed nice skill and footwork on a step-back 3. Attacking, aggressive scorer with the drive — and also dangerous off the ball as a cutter — who will be extra dangerous in a year as his guard skills and awareness increase to be less of a ball stopper in the half-court.