Michigan's Versatile Wings

10/26/09

Inside Prep Sports

Detroit, MI.- The wing, the made up position, it's Scotty Pippen's fault and I'm not saying any of these players will win six NBA championships or even make it to the league but the ten players on this list have the ability to play multiple positions on the next level. These players from Michigan's 2010 class can play the small forward, shooting guard, and in some cases run the show as a point guard. Remember you can't play what you can't guard.

6’5 Tim Bates (Detroit Douglas) is a new name to many on the recruiting front but he is one of the best in Detroit’s Public School League. He is athletic and can create for himself with the ability to hit jump shots from the perimeter. His ability to play shooting guard and the small forward positions has brought in coaches from Central Michigan, IPFW, Stoney Brook and tomorrow Binghamton is scheduled to take in Douglas’ open gym.

6’4 Evan Bruinsma (Muskegon W. Michigan Christian) is a two time state champion and could lead M.W.M.C. to a third straight Class D championship. Chassel (1956-‘58), Detroit E. Catholic (1979-‘81), and Detroit Rogers (2003-’05) are the only schools to achieve three straight Class D state championships. Bruinsma is a long athlete who has a good opportunity to play shooting guard and small forward on the next level. He needs to hit the weight room but doesn’t let his slight build get in the way of hitting the glass. When it comes to recruiting, Cornell, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, and Northwood have shown interest.

6’5 Terrell Clinton (Benton Harbor) is a solid perimeter player who can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He needs to gain weight and improve his post play but he’s long and a solid defender. He should match up with another player on this list, Devin Oliver, when Benton Harbor hosts Kalamazoo Central January 23, 2010. He might need an alternate path before he makes it to a division 1 program but expect him to resurface in three years.

6’6 Cole Darling (Holt) is Inside Prep Sports #15 player in the state and a top ten player in Michigan’s 2010 class. He drew interest from Michigan before accepting a scholarship from Wright State. He is long, athletic, and a formidable ball-handler who can bring the ball up the floor. He’s a solid shooter as well as a slick post player who finishes with authority. His length and footwork allows him to guard four positions in high school. Holt’s head coach, Matt Essler, says, “He’s a really tough match up when he pulls guys out on the wing.”

6’6 Juwan Howard, jr. (Detroit Pershing) is a solid shooter and crafty when he goes to the basket. He can play on the perimeter or the post and the same is expected when he gets to Western Michigan next year. While Howard isn’t a super athlete he has a high basketball IQ and he can bring the ball up the court. An infected finger kept him out of last year’s championship run but he’ll be a leader when the pre-season’s #1 team looks to repeat.

6’5 Matthew Hunter (Detroit Henry Ford) is one of Michigan’s best players in transition and a decent post player. He’s athletic and Henry Ford assistant coach Gregory Russell says, “He’s (Hunter) improved his ball-handling, becoming more unselfish, and working on being more vocal on the court.” Hunter is improving his perimeter game and his three-pointer in last year’s playoffs almost knocked eventual Class A champion Detroit Pershing out of the playoffs. Central Michigan and South Alabama are recruiting him. He’ll more than likely fill the small forward and shooting guard positions on the next level.

6’4 Jerry Jones (Inkster) can guard small forwards, shooting guards, and point guards as he is long and moves his feet very well. He’s a solid athlete who makes sound decisions when he has the ball in his hand. Jones handles the ball well and uses a big first step to beat defenders. He has a solid mid-range game with a quality basketball IQ. Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Detroit, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Oakland, and Wayne State are recruiting Jones.

6’6 Devin Oliver (Kalamazoo Central) is a solid lefty who is comfortable as a small forward, shooting guard, or point guard. He recently accepted the Dayton Flyers scholarship and is a solid athlete who will play multiple positions for head coach Brian Gregory. Oliver is a sound perimeter shooter who can also put the ball on the floor. He was an integral part of Kalamazoo Central’s Class A runner-up finish last season.

6’5 Isaiah Sykes (Detroit Denby) has nice size and a high basketball IQ who creates for himself and others. He’s a decent athlete who hits the boards and pushes the play or finds the open man to start the break. Sykes does need to improve his perimeter shot but his bread and butter is a floater in the lane. He posts up smaller defenders and takes bigger defenders on the perimeter before going around them. The lefty has been recruited by Detroit, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse, and Tennessee.

6’5 Trey Zeigler (Mt. Pleasant) is one of Michigan’s most sought after recruits and has offers from Central Michigan, Michigan, Michigan State, and UCLA while Kansas has shown strong interest. While he can play all five positions in high school he’ll more than likely be a shooting guard and possibly run the show as a point guard on the next level. He’s athletic and has a high basketball IQ as he’s a coach’s son from a basketball family.

By TJ Kelley