Grand Rapids Storm Classic Recap: AAU Basketball

By: Kyle Mills (@generalmills101)

The Grand Rapids Storm hosted a large AAU basketball tournament this weekend and held games all across the city of Grand Rapids. It brought in top talent from all of the major cities in Michigan including: Detroit, Saginaw, Flint, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. The tournament even boasted two King James 16u AAU teams from Ohio. Here are the breakdowns of each major 17u team, including players to watch for in the next few years.

Headed to the @grstormbb Classic AAU Basketball tournament with @JustCallmeBHunt at MVP. Should be a LOT of D-1 talent there! #grindin 🏀💯
— Kyle Mills (@generalmills101) April 12, 2014

Championship Game:

• The Family defeated 1Nation 74-67 in overtime.
  • This was a battle for the ages that turned heads from scouts, fans, and other players alike. 1Nation jumped out to an early lead as The Family looked shocked that it was even being tested. But with AJ Turner pouring in 10 first half points along with Eric Davis' 13, The Family pulled within 2 points by halftime. Josh Jackson had 13 points and controlled the game in the first half as 1Nation led 35-33 at halftime. The game really picked up the intensity in the second half as both teams traded baskets and leads throughout. Khary Fanning and Charles Penn really picked up the scoring load in the second half to keep 1Nation in the game. The Family's Miles Bridges showed why he is considered a top recruit with 14 points in the second half. Playing against Jackson seemed to really motivate Bridges to show the crowd what he could do. Regulation ended with the game tied at 65 all. Both teams had multiple chances in the last 30 seconds to win it, but came up short. In overtime, it was all Eric Davis as the smooth shooting guard made his free throws and nice drive to the basket to help The Family defeat 1Nation by a score of 72-67 in the final. Fans who showed up to watch the game got to see not only +8 players who will play D1 basketball, but potentially 2-3 players who might some day be playing in the NBA.

@TheFamily_bball beats 1Nation in an OT thriller 74-67! Eric Davis w/26 for the fam and @j_josh11 w/21 @JustCallmeBHunt @TheD_Zone #aau
— Kyle Mills (@generalmills101) April 13, 2014

MVP 17u

• Co-MVP awards are in line for this tournament as there were two players who were equally deserving.
  • Josh Jackson: The sophomore played with intensity and focus in the games that mattered. He showed off a variety of moves all over the court and refused to let his team lose. It looked as if he was putting the team on his back whenever he wanted to take over a game.

• Eric Davis: Although The Family has a loaded squad, they would not have won the championship game without him. Davis can score in bunches, and he did just that in several games.

MVP 16u

• One player really stood out from this age group.
  • Brian Bowen, Saginaw Arthur Hill, PF, Class of 2017
    • This freshman played up with the 16u The Family team and did not disappoint. He dominated around the basket by using his combination of size and leaping ability to grab every rebound. Bowen was especially impressive with his put-back dunks and lay-ups. Even though he is 6'6, Bowen still runs the floor extremely well and has a higher basketball IQ for his age. He has a soft touch which enables him to hit anywhere from 15 feet in. Although just a freshman, Bowen still holds offers from NCAA powerhouses Michigan State and Kansas along with Missouri and Iowa State. The sky is the limit for this Class of 2017 prospect.
  • Follow Brian on Twitter

Top Teams and Players

• The Family 17u (@TheFamily_BBall)
  • Eric Davis, Saginaw Arthur Hill, SG, Class of 2015

    Mr. Basketball candidate and 2015 Saginaw Arthur Hill guard Eric Davis takes over vs King James-Quincey and drops 26 points #aau @TheD_Zone
    — Kyle Mills (@generalmills101) April 12, 2014
    

    • Eric Davis played every bit like a Mr. Basketball candidate throughout the entire tournament as he showed all of the various ways he could score. His shooting stroke off the dribble might be unequaled in the state, considering he can pull up from almost anywhere on the court. Quicker than he is fast, Davis loves to have the ball in his hands with good reason. Although he is 6'3, Davis can still get up with the tallest of big men to grab boards or throw down dunks. This video is evidence to that fact. Davis has offers from Memphis, Kansas, Michigan State, Oregon, NC State, Iowa State, and Ohio State just to name a few.
    • Go follow Eric on Twitter
  • Miles Bridges, Huntington Prep, SF, Class of 2016
    • Probably the best sophomore in the tournament behind Josh Jackson, Bridges was a force for The Family the entire weekend. Bridges showed an improved stroke from behind the 3-point line and wasn't afraid to take big shots for his team. A year of prep ball really helped him grow and mature into a better basketball player. He has really physically filled out his 6'6 frame and now uses his size and physicality to bully opponents down low. Bridges also showed off his bounce over the weekend and had around 2 tip dunks every game, including a huge one in overtime of the Championship game. Bridges holds offers from West Virginia, Providence, and Oakland, but will end up being able to pick from anywhere in the country as the offers continue to pour in.
    • Go follow Miles on Twitter
  • A.J Turner, New Hampton Prep, SF, Class of 2015
    • AJ Turner now has a complete offensive game, something he could not boast last summer. In the semifinal game against the Storm, he poured in 28 points. He also added 15 points in the finals before leaving early to head back to New Hampshire. Turner has a pure stroke from behind the 3-point line and is a deadly catch and shoot candidate every time he is passed the ball. He also showed improved athleticism to finish his drives to the basket, occasionally throwing down some monster dunks. It was good to see him and Miles Bridges back in Michigan doing their thing this weekend. Turner holds offers from numerous schools including: Arizona State, Dayton, Iowa State, UMass, Toledo, Boston College, Iowa, and Princeton.
    • Go follow AJ on Twitter
  • Latin Davis, Milan, PG, Class of 2015
    • Latin Davis is still feeling the play that helped Milan win the Class B Championship game last month. He excelled this weekend as the primary facilitator and ball handler for The Family all while playing excellent on-ball defense. His 3-point shot is money and it looks as if he has improved on driving to the basket with both hands. Despite being 5'10, Davis has good size and finishes around the rim with ease. Davis currently has offers from Kent State, Buffalo, and Northern Illinois.
    • Go Follow Latin on Twitter

• 1Nation 17u (@1NationORG)
  • Josh Jackson, Detroit Consortium, G/F, Class of 2016
    • Probably the best overall player at the tournament this weekend, Josh Jackson did not disappoint. When he puts his head down and drives to the basket, he cannot be stopped. Some compare this part of his game to LeBron James as he turns into a freight train that cannot be stopped once it starts. Jackson can score at will whenever he chooses to yet still gets his teammates involved. His handles are comparable to Kevin Durant's in terms of how long he is when he dribbles. There is a reason why Jackson is rated as the #1 overall sophomore in the nation, and he showed why. Several of his monster dunks brought the crowd to their feet and left many others with gaping stares. Rivals.com writer Branden Hunter (@JustCallmeBHunt) said, "I've seen Josh play 15 times and I've never seen him have a bad game, ever." Although extremely talented, Jackson shares the ball and always get his teammates involved. Josh will have his pick of whatever college he wants to attend in the nation: which includes Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio State, Louisville and Michigan State.
    • Go Follow Josh on Twitter
  • Josh McFolley, Mount Clemens, PG, Class of 2015
    • A smooth lefty guard, McFolley did most of the ball-handling this weekend for 1Nation. McFolley is the leader of a stacked Mount Clemens team for his high-school. Although he could add strength, he is quick enough to get by defenders on offense and stay in front of them on defense. He is lights out from the 3 point line and his floater is becoming one of his strongest shots. His play was enough to get him an offer from Ferris State this weekend. He also holds an offer from Florida A&M.
    • Go Follow Josh on Twitter
  • Josh Davis, Detroit Henry Ford, SG, Class of 2015
    • Davis's main strength is his ability to shoot the ball. Off the dribble, catch and shoot, pull ups anywhere from 3-point land all the way to his mid-range game are all polished. Another one of his strengths is his length, which he is using to become a better all around athlete. Davis also boasts a 4.0 GPA and has offers from Rhode Island, Buffalo, and Eastern Michigan.
    • Go follow Josh on Twitter
  • Khary Fanning, Southfield, G/F, Class of 2015
    • Khary is an OUTSTANDING athlete who is still working to become a better basketball. He doesn't have any offers yet, but if he continues to work on his game the sky is the limit. This weekend he showed strength and toughness down low along with improved rebounding. Khary is probably the best dunker in the state of Michigan as well. Although he does not have any official offers yet, his play in the aau circuit as well as next high school season will surely draw him several offers from Mid-Majors.
    • Go follow Khary on Twitter

• King James-Quincy 16u
  • Coached by Quincy Simpson (@coachq7)
  • Derek Funderburk, Cleveland St. Edwards, PF/C, Class of 2016
    • Funderburk is considered a top 5 sophomore in the state of Ohio. Grand Rapids was blessed to have such talent from a different state make the trip to play in this weekend's tournament. Funderburk stands at 6'9 and has over a 7 foot wingspan which makes him a terror down low. He is still polishing his post moves, but definitely has a knack for scoring around the basket and somehow getting difficult shots to go. Derek possesses a nice touch for a big man from 15 feet and will only continue to get better once he adds weight and gains more experience. He currently holds offers from Ohio State, Xavier, Penn State and Iowa, with Ohio State being the crown jewel in his collection so far.
    • Go Follow Derek's Dad on Twitter
  • Xavier Simpson, Lima Central Catholic, PG, Class of 2016
    • An extremely quick and tough point guard, Xavier Simpson caught the eye of many fans in Michigan this weekend. He played the best on ball defense the entire weekend and is a tireless worker on the court. Many opponents did not know how to handle him on the defensive or offensive end as he is too physical to push around and too fast to blow by. Although his shot is not the most pure yet, Simpson proved to be a strong finisher around the basket and would choose to take it into the lane instead of shoot the ball most times. This point guard already won a state championship with his high school and is someone to watch out for.
    • Go follow Xavier on Twitter
  • Derrick Daniels, Dayton Thurgood Marshall, PF, Class of 2016
    • Daniels is a tall, lanky athlete with major potential. Somewhat overshadowed by Funderburk in hype, Daniels makes people notice him on the court with his play. He dominated the paint on both ends of the floor, routinely sending shots away from the basket on defense and getting tip-ins on offense. Daniels routinely gobbled up every available rebound and was a real inside presence the entire weekend. Daniels holds offers from the respectable grouping of Dayton, DePaul, Detroit, Rice, Iowa and Wright State.
    • Go follow Derrick on Twitter

• Grand Rapids Storm 17u (@grstormbb)
  • Brad Brechting, Cedar Springs, PF/C, Class of 2015
    • Brad Brechting is a big kid. Brechting consistently anchored the Grand Rapids Storm's defense over the course of the weekend with his 6'11 frame. Brechting uses body positioning and times his jumps well to grab the ball at it's highest point. He is able to use his high basketball IQ against more athletic players to outsmart them in the paint. His post game is still improving, but he knows how to finish down-low with the best big men in the country. Brad has an offer from Central Michigan but interest from Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Michigan and Xavier which will keep the big man motivated to show his talents all summer long.
    • Go follow Brad on Twitter
  • Brent Hibbitts, Hudsonville, Forward, Class of 2015
    • Playing aau basketball is a good thing for the 6'8 Hibbitts. On his high school team, he is asked to be "the man" every night and lead the team in scoring. On the Grand Rapids Storm, Hibbitts is able to showcase his skills without worrying about putting the team on his back. The junior from Hudsonville can really shoot the ball, just like his brother Blake who plays at Central Michigan. Hibbitts also is very unselfish and can use the dribble to set up a shot for someone else or take it all the way into the lane. Hibbitts is a good kid who comes to work hard every game and will continue to get interest from Mid-Majors in the future. He holds offers from Central Michigan, Toledo, and Lehigh but big time schools like Michigan and Michigan State have interest with others like Cleveland State, Oakland, Detroit-Mercy, and Northern Illinois in hot pursuit.
    • Go follow Brent on Twitter
  • Delaney Blaylock, Godwin Heights, SG, Class of 2015
    • Blaylock can jump and he can shoot. He will knock down open catch and shoot 3's that opponents give him with ease. This past season he began to expand his range to beyond right behind the 3-point line, sometimes knocking down shots from NBA range. The definition of a true athlete, Blaylock has no problem playing above the rim with the best of the best. It's also a treat to watch him in transition, because more than likely he will try to dunk on someone. Delaney currently holds an offer from Ferris State University, with interest from Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Grand Valley State University, and Detroit-Mercy.
    • Go read the article I wrote about Delaney during the season
    • Go follow Delaney on Twitter
  • Deleon Brown, Grand Rapids Christian, Guard, Class of 2015
    • Deleon Brown showed flashes of James Harden this weekend for the Grand Rapids Storm. He has above average handles and is shifty enough to get by most defenders into the lane. His quickness causes the defense to take a step back which then opens up his 3-point shot. The lefty has a real smooth release and can get hot in a hurry. At 6'4 he is a taller guard and will receive more interest the stronger he gets. Brown holds an offer from Ferris State but is garnering interest from Akron, Kent State, Central Michigan, Toledo, and Purdue.
    • Go follow Deleon on Twitter

• ACB Bank Hoops (@ACBBankHoops)
  • Lacey James, Wayland Union, Forward, Class of 2015
    • Lacey James does not do 1 thing in particular outstanding, but he does many many things very well. He defends and blocks shots at a high rate, he is tough in the post and is a hyper-active rebounder. James has really filled out his 6'7 frame since last summer and used it to his advantage this weekend. He was a terror down on the block with his length and athleticism to add to his now developed strength. A quick first step and improving mid-range game make James an intriguing prospect moving forward. He has offers from Toldeo, Western Michigan and Detroit-Mercy and is receiving interest from Rhode Island, Wichita State, Xavier, and Lehigh.
    • Go follow Lacey on Twitter
  • Seth Dugan, Otsego, Center, Class of 2015
    • Seth Dugan showed good mobility for a 6'11 kid this weekend, especially on the defensive end. He did not back down from the physical and athletic players he was asked to guard and held his own throughout the tournament. His long wingspan helps him alter lots of shots in the lane and he creates a matchup problem for smaller bigs who try to score inside. Seth was recently named the Kalamazoo Gazette player of the year. Seth holds offers from Western Michigan, LaSalle, Northern Illinois and Toledo. If he becomes more agile and improves his back to the basket post moves, colleges that are currently interested in him such as: Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin, and Michigan State, might take a chance and give him a full ride scholarship offer.
    • Go follow Seth on Twitter
  • Corey Redman, Boyne City, Forward, Class of 2015
    • Corey Redman committed to Central Michigan after his freshman season of basketball at Boyne City. Now the 6'5 junior is using aau to play against better competition and hone his skills for his senior season in high school and eventually college basketball at Central. Redman has an above average mid-range game and can put it on the deck as well. He uses his length to glide to the basket and finish and active hands on defense to rip the ball away from opponents.
    • Go follow Corey on Twitter

• R.E.A.C.H. Legends 17u (@ReachLegends)
  • Jeron Rogers, North Farmington, Forward, Class of 2015
    • Rogers is a strong and physical player for his size and age. He runs the floor extremely well and can finish on the break with ease. He has great touch around the rim and scores over his left shoulder with a soft release and sweet follow through. He could improve his perimeter shooting, but that is one thing that can be taught. The motor and determination he has are things that make him a sought after Mid-Major prospect. Rogers just recently picked up an from Buffalo which now makes a total of 3 offers for him, along with Oakland and Toledo.
    • Go follow Jeron on Twitter
  • Marquel Ingram, Detroit Pershing, SG, Class of 2015
    • Marquel Ingram is a one of those players that fans love to watch and opposing players hate playing against. Anytime Ingram steps on the court you know he is going to provide 3 things: scoring, lockdown defense and high intensity. This weekend he poured in 28 points against a strong King James team and single handedly kept his team in the ball game. Ingram's defense has also really improved and once he "sits down," the opposing player is going to have a hard time getting by him. Marquel's combination of size, 6'3, and strength at the guard spot make him a tough cover. He can shoot it from anywhere on the court and is equally good at shooting off the dribble, something that is rare for a player his age. Marquel is also going to bring a team high intensity which includes getting in his opponent's heads. Marquel currently holds offers from Florida A&M and Detroit-Mercy, with UofD being the most likely choice for the Pershing guard.

      Detroit Pershing 2015 SG @doughboyquel11 played his best basketball against a tough King James-Quincey squad w/28 points. #AAU @TheD_Zone
      — Kyle Mills (@generalmills101) April 12, 2014
      

    • Go follow Marquel on Twitter
    • Go read this article that Rivals.com writer Branden Hunter wrote about Marquel
  • Jaylin Walker, Romulus, SG, Class of 2015
    • Jaylin Walker is yet another high flying guard who can shoot. Jaylin is battled tested, as he was on teams that made deep tournament runs at Romulus. He routinely finishes above the rim and surprises opponents with his explosive leaping ability. The most impressive part about Jaylin's game is his quick release. He is an excellent catch and shoot player who seemingly hits nothing but net if you give him the slightest bit of space. He is going to become Romulus's senior leader next season and will soon begin to receive a lot of attention from colleges in the future.
    • Go follow Jaylin on Twitter

Sleepers/Under the Radar Players

• Sometimes, too much of the focus is on the big name prospects or stars who dominate every game they play in. Here are several under the radar players who still did their thing this weekend.
  • Rob Edwards, Detroit Cass Tech, REACH, SG, Class of 2015
    • Edwards has his moments where he can take over games, like he did in the District Final against Detroit Pershing last month. He has a silky smooth mid range jumper, and has enough strength and elevation to get to this shot whenever he wants. A bigger 2 guard, Edwards is a tough cover for smaller guards and can bully them around. He is built like a football player but can still play above the rim to grab rebounds or finish over defenders, which is a scary combination for opposing teams. Rob needs to work on being more aggressive and demanding the ball, something which will benefit any team he plays for. He currently is receiving interest from Akron, Detroit-Mercy, Oakland, Cleveland State, and Iowa State just to name a few.
    • Go read Rivals.com writer Branden Hunter's article about Rob
    • Go follow Rob on Twitter
  • Henry Baddley Jr., Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, King James-Quincy, G/F, Class of 2016
    • Baddley plays for Lebron James' old high school if that is any indication of how much he loves the game of basketball. Baddley is a smooth athlete that can do a lot of things very well. He has a nice stroke from deep yet can still pull up from mid-range or take it all the way to the rack. He gets up and down the court very easily and will definitely receive more interest as he continues to develop as a player, currently only being a sophomore.
    • Go follow Henry on Twitter
  • Charles Penn, Mount Clemens, 1Nation, G/F, Class of 2015
    • Charles Penn was more of just an athlete his sophomore year, but has developed into a very good basketball player his junior year. His jump shot is much improved and he looks more comfortable in pulling up. He can finish his drives once he gets to the lane and makes it look easy. Just a high motor kid that comes out and grinds on the court each and every day. He will surely receive offers once his name gets out there more. Playing with 1Nation and Josh Jackson will give Penn the exposure and attention he needs to be successful.
    • Go follow Charles on Twitter
  • Khadim Dieng, NorthPointe Christian, GR Storm, Center, Class of 2014
    • Khadim is a very interesting prospect for several reasons. He is new to Michigan this year, having transferred from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. He also had to sit out the entire high school basketball season due to an MHSAA ruling. But, he is also a legit 7 feet tall. This weekend he showed why his length, hustle, shot blocking ability and athleticism have landed him interest from numerous colleges. Although still very raw as a basketball player, Khadim has all of the talent in the world and wherever he ends up next season will be able to mold and shape him into the dominant force every one knows he can be. He holds offers from D1's such as Eastern Michigan, UMass-Lowell, and Seattle. Many other colleges are interested in Khadim's services such as: Virginia Tech, Western Michigan, Detroit-Mercy, Kent State, and Oakland.
    • Go follow Khadim on Twitter
  • Ted McCree, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, The Family, SG, Class of 2015
    • Ted McCree can flat out shoot the ball. He had one of the purest shots at the tournament this weekend. He knows where he likes the ball and is able to get to those spots and get in excellent position before the pass comes. His form is near perfect and once he gets hot, there is almost no containing his jumper. McCree impressed with his ability to consistently knock down mid-range jumpers, something that is becoming a lost art in high school basketball. Look for him to make a big impact this summer for The Family when his shot is on. Ted stays in contact with several colleges such as: Detroit-Mercy, Akron, Central Michigan, and Oakland.
    • Go follow Ted on Twitter
  • Curtis Davison, Grand Rapids Union, GR Storm, PG, Class of 2015
    • Curtis Davison has an "old man's game" of sorts. He is a scrappy, pass first point guard who isn't afraid to get his nose dirty in the paint. He plays excellent defense and has a high basketball IQ. Many are surprised that Davison can still finish in the paint, but he is built pretty solid for a point guard. A positive attitude and a great kid, a successful summer running with a very good Storm team could translate into offers for the Union guard. Per the man himself, he is in contact with schools such as: Ferris State, Grand Valley State, and Bucknell.
    • Go follow Curtis on Twitter
  • Fred Jones, Detroit East English Village, The Family, PG, Class of 2015
    • Fred Jones is a pass first point guard who plays suffocating on ball defense. He played hard the entire weekend, whether it was a close game or his team was up by double digits. Jones is your typical floor general and will make sure everyone on the court is doing their job. He really stepped up big in the Championship game and scored 7 points, including a big 3-pointer and a tough driving layup in the lane. Jones is also a very smart kid, which will make colleges all the more intrigued by him. He is currently drawing interest from Oakland, Florida A&M, Lehigh, Ferris State, Cornell and Harvard.
    • Go follow Fred on Twitter
  • Malik Clincy, Grand Rapids Northview, West Michigan Lakers, SG, Class of 2015
    • Clincy plays for the West Michigan Lakers (@W_M_Lakers) which were not included in this weekends Super Pool so they did not receive much attention. Clincy can play though and is someone to watch out for in the upcoming season. He is a very athletic guard who constantly seems to be coming up with loose balls and streaking towards the basket on fast breaks. Clincy can play above the rim and does so often by banging on defenders. He is an improving defender and a great kid. Clincy is receiving interest from local schools such as Davenport and Cornerstone which are both located in Grand Rapids.
    • Go read this article I wrote about Malik
    • Go follow Malik on Twitter

8th Grader To Watch For

• Brandon Johns, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Spartans (@LansingSpartans), Center, Class of 2018

  I haven't seen a lot of 8th graders, however I can't imagine there are many better nationally than 6'7 fwd Brandon Johns (Lansing Spartans).
  — TJ Kelley (@scoopIPS) April 13, 2014
  

  • If you're 6'7 in the 8th grade, you're going to turn some heads. Johns not only is big, but very skilled for a kid of his age. He has improved his handles and routinely surprised smaller defenders who thought they could steal the ball from him. He is a terror on both ends of the floor and dominated almost every game he played in. Johns showed a remarkable touch around the basket and had no problem scoring every time he touched the ball from 6 feet in. There might not be another 8th grade big man in the midwest that is as talented as he is right now.
  • Go follow Brandon on Twitter

Overall this was a great event which was able to showcase many talented players from all across Michigan and Ohio.

Special thanks to: UpNextRecruits.com for providing video coverage.

Go follow NextUpRecruits on Twitter

Special thanks to: Rivals.com writer Branden Hunter for providing insight and information during the entire weekend.

Go follow Branden on Twitter

Can't wait to see some 🏀 tomorrow. REACH, 1Nation, The Family, King James, ACB Bank Hoops, Detroit Stars and more.
— Branden Hunter (@JustCallmeBHunt) April 12, 2014

Special thanks to: Grand Rapids Storm for putting on such a great event

Go follow Grand Rapids Storm on Twitter

Go follow me on Twitter at: @generalmills101

If you have ANY questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact me at: (734)-673-7866