Underclassman All-State Camp: Top Prospect Team

The top performing prospects, regardless of class, from the Bank Hoops Underclassman All-State Camp.

MVP Keyon Menifield  5-9  So  Flint Beecher: Played like a miniature Jamal Crawford. Fun to watch when he got it rolling, smooth in creating space for floaters and layups. Competed with the Flint chip on his shoulder. A volume shooter as the day went on, but often with good reason. Release point may be a bit low, but he cashed in jumpers time and again, dangerous from 3 particularly pulling up on the break or on the step-back. Showed he knew how to run a team too, good sense of timing on passes in the half-court, or knowing when to press the issue to get into the lane to dump it off to bigs in stride. Good hands on defense, able to turn a steal into a pick six, looking like so many Beecher guards. Will have to get stronger, was pushed off the ball by bigger guards.

Thomas Dillard 6-1  Fr  Kalamazoo Central: Good motor, helped him rebound beyond his height. A nose for the ball, particularly on the offensive glass. Used the pump fake well. Could score off one-dribble drives. Knocked down a bunch of 3s, though the little half-step before releasing will have to be cleaned up, or that will be just enough time for the defense to eat it up at the varsity level. Rangy frame and will only get bigger, his father of the same name was a 6-6 forward who played at U-D. Not only can this version, Thomas IV, play, but was a terrific teammate bringing positive energy, slapping 5, learning guys’ names.

Connor Dykema  6-6  So  Grand Rapids South Christian:  The Sailors will be a top 5 Class B squad, and Dykema will be too big and talented to keep off the court. Made some tough shots. Good body control, can take a hit and finish. Able to pump fake and use a big first step to get to the rim. Plays up to his height, blocking shots in the paint or out on jumpshooters. With so many players just running arc to arc, it’s nice to see a big athlete rebounding hard then rim-running. Skilled enough to take the rebund all the way for a finger roll himself. He’s an eager post scorer, but needs to work on discipline maintaining his pivot foot, and a counter move. Not a bad shooter away from the basket, when gathered.

Ethan Emerzian  5-11  So  Rochester Adams: One coach compared his offensive approach to DeMar DeRozan, but with slick point guard handles; balance, control and feel to finish drives. Battle-hardened from big school varsity ball as a freshman with Adams and a competitive 15U circuit with REACH. Showed now mercy against smaller or younger guards, kill or be killed. Plays at his own pace, not rattled, and thinks a play ahead of the defense. Able to get the ball where he wanted, often his own sweet shots for jumpers, or long transition passes hitting his man on the money. Rebounded with the strong hands and attitude of a much taller player. Twin brother Jake Emerzian, also an Adams sophomore, had a terrific day in his own right.

Drew Hess  6-0  So  Mio: His freshman numbers were historic making 81-160 three-pointers, and it was apparent how such a thing might happen. “When he shot it, it was pretty,” a coach said. Had such a touch that one three-point attempt looked like it hit the front of the rim, but it still spun back, over and in. Where he was better than some expected was with the ball, attacking close-outs or even just getting by his man one-on-one. Some nifty free-up dribble moves to set up the 3.Worked to get the ball inside and play a two-man game. A for sure college player, whose size and defensive quickness in two years will determine his level.

Brody Parker  5-11  So  Troy:  You can do all the drills you want, but if you can’t see/feel/think the game, as a guard you won’t go far. Parker has these other traits and they shined through all day. Nice mix of handle and shot. Improving as a finisher as he grows, knowing how to use the glass, and had an and-one while being pulled down by his shirt; got some rebounds. Will mix it up and surprise his defender with post moves. Did non-underclassman stuff like use the drag dribble to draw fouls.