Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Michigan Mr. Basketball Update


The Mr. Basketball competition for 2012 is becoming more defined.  Although this award is given to the state’s “top” senior, the best players in Michigan very well could be underclassmen.  This year’s likely ballot consists of 5 big name players that should be impact players on the next level. 

5. Vincent Hunter Detroit Consortium Class C, committed to UTEP
The 6’7” wing is leading one of the most talented teams in the entire state.  Hunter is scoring 21 ppg while averaging 14 rebounds every contest.  He currently plays more of a power forward role, and is mostly indefensible in Class C.  While Hunter will need to continue to improve his perimeter game for college, he will continue to put up big numbers against the smaller schools.  He reminds me of a less talented LaDonte Henton from Lansing Eastern (currently at Providence).  Consortium just upset Detroit Country Day, one of the current Class B favorites.  Hunter will have to continue to put up big numbers against notable teams like Romulus and Detroit Community to get people to notice his name more.

4. Khalil Felder Detroit Pershing Class A, committed to Oakland
The 5’9” point guard has emerged as the best player on a Doughboy roster loaded with talented guards.  Felder is currently averaging 23 ppg, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Pershing is looking like the favorite in Class A if Felder can stay healthy.  The Doughboy offense looks completely different in the 3 games Felder missed so far.  From what I have seen from Khalil, if he was 2+ inches taller with the same skill set he would be one of the highest rated recruits in the country.  Even at 5’9”, Oakland has themselves their point guard of the future.

3. James Young Rochester Class A, committed to Kentucky
Young is a 6’7” wing player that is rated as the 6th best player in the country, according to ESPN.  Just going by recruiting rankings, Young is the highest rated player I have seen live.  This “should” mean he is the best player I have seen.  However, I am just not a big James Young fan at this point in his career.  While Young does average 26 ppg and around 7 rebounds, it usually takes him 18+ shots per game to get his points.  It seems that he is just skimming his basketball potential, but he looks content at that.  Young takes multiple plays off on the defensive end, and just hides on the perimeter during some offensive possessions.  While Derrick Walton is lower on the rankings, and at least 5 inches shorter, he completely outplayed Young in their matchup.  James Young finished with 21 points, on 26 shots.  Walton played stronger and was able to keep Young at the 3 point line.  The more disappointing thing was that the number 6 player in the country did not match up with Walton on the defensive side. I think there is a reason that the local teams are letting Young pass under their nose.

2. Derrick Walton Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy Class B, committed to Michigan
This is where the Mr. Basketball competition becomes a popularity contest.  I believe Walton is the best senior basketball player in the state of Michigan.  He continues to improve as a distributor, and is CPA’s best defender.  Of course Walton also has a killer jump shot and can score at will in the Academy league.  So far, Derrick is averaging 24 points per game, 7 assists, 4 steals, and only turning the ball over twice per contest. After sitting out a game with concussion-like symptoms, he came back with a 21 point 20 assist game in a 62 point win.  Yes, the competition was lacking, but 20 assists in a 32 minute high school game is pretty impressive.  While Walton might be robbed of the state’s top honor, leading his CPA team to a state championship in Class B would be an amazing feat.

1. Monte Morris Flint Beecher Class C, committed to Iowa State
Michigan offered Morris and Walton at their summer camp before each of their junior seasons.  Walton committed first, and Michigan could not take 2 point guards in the same class.  So, Iowa State is getting a very good basketball player.  Most people in the state should know who Morris is at this point.  He has led his team to the state semifinals the past 3 seasons, with Beecher completing their first undefeated season last year.  And this year is supposed to be the better team.  The Buc’s 38 game winning streak was just snapped by a valiant come back by Class A favorite, Pershing.  Morris is the walking triple double, averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists so far.  I really like the way Man Man plays the game, since he makes his teammates better.  While he could score closer to 30 a game if needed, getting other guys involved and picking up wins is more important.  This year’s Class C battle between Consortium and Beecher will be the best of any class, too bad this game will likely be played in Regional Finals and not at the Breslin.  These teams are the best two Class C has seen is quite some time. 

I personally think the Mr. Basketball battle comes down to the two point guards.  I think Walton and Morris are the most deserving.  As I mentioned before, I think Walton is the better basketball player, but nobody can argue with the success Morris has had in his career.  I am definitely rooting for both Flint Beecher and Chandler Park to win a state title, because it will be mostly on the backs of the two best players in the state.

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