Unsigned Hype

1. Malik Hairston 6’5” WF Detroit Renaissance

The best thing about Malik is that his offensive game is built around simple, fundamental skills. When these skills are executed at a proficient level by a smart, athletic player, that’s how a star is made. Aside from his dunks, there’s nothing really spectacular about Hairston’s game. What makes him special is that he’s so consistent and ruthlessly efficient. He has such a neat feel for the game he’s always popping up at the basket, whether he has the ball or navigating the masses to grab a rebound.

1a. Joe Crawford 6’3” 2G Detroit Renaissance

Shaq once said, if you worst thing you can say about a guy is he can’t shoot free throws then he’s not doing too bad a job in life. In Crawford’s case, if the worst thing he’s done is confound and perturb college basketball coaches and recruiting fans, whatever.

3. Marcus Stout 6’3” PG Detroit Renaissance

The state’s best three unsigned seniors in the same lineup. Stout may never quite get his due playing with Crawford and Hairston. Triple threat who can make plays in the lane with his strength. I love Marcus’ passing vision. He may not be fast, but he’s very smart.

4. Jamaal Lock 6’7” PF Detroit Redford

A very smart and experienced player, he’ll be a four year starter (minus the benchings). 3A is a good position defender and plays up to his height. He doesn’t have a go-to scoring move, but will have some big games nevertheless because he’s not afraid to go to the hole and is awkwardly athletic.

5. Bruce Carter 6’4” 2G Detroit Community

The Boss. Slasher with size and the ability to get his shot from different spots on the floor. Community could have a big year in Class C, and Carter is the foundation of that program, similar to how Ricardo Billings was at Detroit Rogers

6. D’mario Curry 6’6” WF Madison Heights Madison

Star of the 17 and 19 under AAU state tournaments, as well as Perry Watson’s camp. Wiry build with a long reach. Those, and a nose for the goal, are Curry’s best assets. Deadly on the baseline; needs a more complete game away from the basket.

7. Rayshaun Marshall 6’8” PF Detroit Southeastern

Has the size and athletic ability that coaches covet, but has done little in two years of varsity ball other than the occasional spectacular dunk.

8. Marcus Lancaster 5’9” PG Wyoming Lee

Showed he was a DI player when he took it to Drew Neitzel in the spring, just like another small, quick aggressive guard -- Carlos English -- did a year before at Hope’s camp.

9. Tyler Wolfe 6’2” PG Cedar Springs

Three of his Grand Rapids Storm teammates, Nick Freer, Brandon Heemskerk and Marcus Vanderheide, have already gotten DI scholarships. They’re not necessarily better, just taller.

10. KC Bailey 6’9” PF Marshall

He has beautiful footwork on the blocks; loves to take it baseline. KC has quick feet, but isn’t particularly explosive.

11. Derek Fracalossi 6’5” WF Davison

He’s Davison’s primary ball handler, but that won’t be Fracalossi’s role in college. Erratic player, but when’s he’s on is a dangerous inside/outside shooter who can really go on the break.

12. Scott Friske 6’6” WF Charlevoix

When you think of a Class C star from up North, it’s easy to imagine a big time scorer. Friske will get his 20-25, but that’s not really his game. He’s an outstanding passer from the blocks or elbows; rebounds; plays physical; can get out and guard on the floor. Scott scores inside with his strength and can make the mid range shot. I’d like to see him dunk, not that I could show him how.

13. John Cantrell 6’1” 2G Pontiac Northern

The last holdover from Northern’s state championship teams, having started for the Huskies in 2002. Cantrell comes by his rep as a skywalker honestly. He plays Slamball off the hardwood. When John dunks it’s like he’s playing on another play. He can do more than that, though, as he gives an honest effort defensively and can hit the mid range shot.

14. Derrick Nelson 6’3” WF Lansing Everett

He’s been off the radar a bit, but Derrick has always been able to play. Always likes his go for it attitude. Full Nelson. Aggressive player who can drive the ball strong to either score or pass.

15. Jesse York 6’1” 2G Muskegon Heights

Like Wolfe above, a West Michigan kid who has been under-recruited because of a glut of talented guards. Jesse was the best all-around player for the Heights last year, including Eddie Spencer, Jesse may have been typecast by some as a spot up shooter, and he can certainly do that. But he’s a smart guard who can also score in the post, Isiah style.

16. Peonte Manley 6’4” 2G Pontiac Central

Prototypical Yak playground legend who has had an up-and-down school career, but has certainly been good when he’s been out there. Skilled with the ball in his hands, a creative scorer.

17. Leonard Houston 6’3” 2G West Ottawa

Performs with a lot of confidence. Joe Stageman says Houston plays like he thinks he’s better than he is, but meant it was a compliment. Back in May, Leonard Part VII made a three-point play and a three-pointer in the final 30 seconds of regulation as his Storm team took the Mustangs to overtime. Athletic, with a decent handle and long arms. The real challenge for Houston will be replacing the leadership of CJ VanWieren. If he does, WO should win the inaugural OK Red-Lakeshore title.

18. Zach McGee 6’3 WF Flint Carman-Ainsworth

Zach is the best returning player for the Class A state runner up. This kid is a hard worker with a good attitude. He holds it down on the glass, playing above the rim on both ends. McGee can nail the three, and once he shows some other guard skills he won’t be a three, and then probably a DI player.

19. Charles Hutson 6’4” WF Wyandotte Roosevelt

Reminds one of Ben Dewar, the former Lake State and Walled Lake Western star. Hutson is a great leaper who can shoot off the dribble or drain the open three-pointer. Doesn’t have a guard’s handle.

20. Brandon Bradford 5’11 PG Birmingham Country Day

Tough, smart, leader, the attributes you want as a point guard, especially with Country Day having such a young team.

21. Andre Lowe 6’4” 2G Detroit Loyola

Puts up big numbers against smaller school competition. Proved he could be a “normal” player in the summer, helping the Mustangs during their run in Vegas. Can finish the break or shoot off the dribble

22. Miquel Hall 6’3” WF Detroit Central

Could be the toughest player in the PSL Southeast, which is saying something. He produces, but he’s a forward.

23. Darrin Williams 6’7” PF Detroit Osborn

Not a well known player, as Osborn is off the beaten track basketball-wise. Good student. PSL forward who gives it up inside, hustles on the boards and he can also step out and guard people.

24. Cortney Jennings 6’3” 2G Kalamazoo Central

Peaked early. Good athlete who, last I saw him, played hard.

25. Joe Harrington 6’4” WF Okemos

Okemos has had a run on talented forwards -- Kissling, Currie, now Harrington. Not Joey. Good size and moves inside, active and efficient. He’ll get into the lane and pass, too. He counters that with a pretty outside shot. Nice.

26. Pete Trammell 6’4” 2G Jenison

Smart all around guard with DI size. Sneaky athletic; rangy; makes the right plays.

27. Robert Igbawua 6’5” WF Belleville

Will be a typical Belleville kids who blows up as a senior. Igbawua can really get up and seems to get a hand on every rebound. Very active, productive kid with an appetite for making plays.

28. Mike Bowers 6’4” WF Mason County Eastern

If he’s a guard, really nice size on the wing. Causes inside-outside matchup problems.

29. Brandon Gerth 6’0” PG Fremont

Carries the scoring load for Fremont, but has the nifty handle and passing eye to play point in college. Good athlete who works hard for his shots and has NBA three-point range.

30. David Holston 5’7” PG Auburn Hills Avondale

Probably the fastest player with the ball in the state. But is he a point guard or a scorer?

31. Damon Huffman 6’0” PG Petoskey

32. Craig Ash 6’6” WF Pontiac Northern

33. Nick Vukasovich 6’5” WF Birmingham Seaholm

34. Ronnie Cranford 6’0” PG Detroit Redford

35. Justin Williams 6’4” 2G Dearborn

36. Steve Pitts 6’6” C Madison Heights Madison

37. Tony Marcotullio 6’3” PG Warren Fitzgerald

38. Marques Ewell 5’10” PG Detroit Rogers

39. Sebastian Jackson 5’10” PG Kalamazoo Central

40. Antonio Payton 5’10” PG Detroit Murray-Wright

41. LJ Kilgore 6’2” PG Grand Rapids Creston

42. Irvin Mitchell 6’4” WF Inkster

43. Cody Cushingberry 5’11” PG Romeo

44. Dean Cosens 6’2” 2G Harbor Light Christian

45. Brenden Durco 5’8” PG Pinckney

46. Chuckie Cole 5’11” PG Ann Arbor Huron

47. Pierre Bumpers 6’4” WF Detroit Henry Ford

48. Josh Collier 6’4” WF Port Huron

49. Brad Clark 6’4” WF Plymouth Salem

50. Bernard Daniels 5’8” PG Detroit King

51. Alex Credit 6’3” WF West Bloomfield

52. Alvin Golden 6’1” PG Flint Beecher

53. Sam Oberlin 6’1” 2G Lowell

54. Maurice Heade 5’11” PG Detroit Crockett

55. Rhet Smith 6’4” WF Stockbridge

56. Bassey Ekanum 5’10” PG Detroit Chadsey

57. Marcus Jenkins 5’7” PG Madison Heights Madison

58. Jason Holden 6’4” PF Saginaw Arthur Hill

59. Jim Cash 6’4” 2G Redford Catholic Central

60. Jon Tiemeyer 6’10” C West Ottawa

61. Brandford Phillips 6’6” PF Saginaw Arthur Hill

Brandon Phillips 6’6” PF Saginaw Arthur Hill

63. Chris Clay 6’5” PF Ypsilanti Willow Run

64. Nick Nickerson 5’10” PG Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills

65. Brandon Ball 5’10” PG Grand Rapids Union

66. Andrew Paolini 6’10” C Saline

67. Milan Susnjar 6’8” C Grand Ledge

68. Karl Sims 6’4” WF East Detroit

69. Soloman Israel 6’1” PG Detroit Communit

70. Tony Gugino 6’8” C Holland Christian

71. Justin Hoekwater 6’2” 2G McBain Northern Michigan Christian

72. Jared Axom 6’0” PG Jackson

73. Luke Charter 6’0” PG Grand Ledge

74. Parris Burt 6’4” WF Flint Northern

75. Jayme Evans 6’1” 2G Brighton