Mid-Michigan

Mid-Michigan's Unsigned

The best we still have to offer

By Gavin Raath

May 5, 2007

greatlakeshoops.com

What follows is a list of mid-Michigan's signed talent and a rundown on the talent that's still out there.

Spoken For:

Brad Ahler 6'6" Leslie -- Jackson CC

DJ Baisden 5'10" Jackson Christian -- Spring Arbor

Elvin Caldwell 5'11" International Academy of Flint -- Kalamazoo College

Curtis Chaffee 5'10" Bath -- Delta CC

Andrew Charlesworth 6'5" Flint Powers Catholic -- Mott CC

Ryan Clark 6'3" Leslie -- Kalamazoo College

Nate Cox 6'6" Flushing -- Davenport

Leviante Davis [right] 6'5" Flint Southwestern Academy -- State Fair CC, MO

Stephan Dotson 6'6" Flint Central -- Delta CC

Alex Erickson 6'8" Lakewood -- Northwood

Damon Franklin 6'5" Flint Northwestern -- Texas Pan Am

Jason Hill 6'7" Mason -- Aquinas

Jeff Hollenbeck 6'1" East Lansing -- Kalamazoo College

Anthony Ianni 6'10" Okemos -- Grand Valley State

Kirby Johnson 6'0" Beecher -- Saginaw Valley State

Brandon Jones 6'7" Kingston -- Spring Arbor

Kody Kokx 6'6" Bath -- Hillsdale

Alex Lapka 6'4" East Lansing -- Kalamazoo College

Tyler Laser 6'1" Hillsdale -- Eastern Illinois

Bobby Lewis 6'2" Saginaw -- Jackson State

LaMarcus Lowe 6'11" Flint Northwestern -- Morgan State

Laval Lucas-Perry 6'3" Flint Powers Catholic Central -- Arizona

Zach Maurer 6'6" Grand Ledge -- Lansing CC

Joel Maybee 6'3" Jackson Christian -- Jackson CC

Dennis Means 6'6" Okemos -- Lansing CC

DC Sampson 6'6" Freeland -- Delta CC

Alex Schmidt 6'3" East Lansing -- Case Western

Caleb Simons 6'5" Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart -- Cornerstone

Jordan Sipkovsky 6'0" Perry -- Lansing CC

Scott Soldan (right) 6'4" Genesee Christian -- Cornerstone

Josh Southern 6'10" Saginaw High -- Boston College

Darquavis Tucker 6'6" Saginaw Arthur Hill -- DePaul

Deonte Wesley 6'8" Saginaw -- Jackson State

Eric Westbrook 6'8" Saranac -- Spring Arbor

Terrance Willis 6'0" Jackson Lumen Christi -- Jackson CC

One of my favorite players this past season, Barnes was always dominant around the basket. Truthfully, he's a guy that is ready to make the transition to the wing and his inside toughness should be viewed as an asset. Strong, athletic, tough and more polished than expected. It will be tough for teams to take the

gamble on a 6'3" post player so two years at a JUCO where he can exhibit his perimeter game may be in order for a college scholarship.

Was on his way to a big senior campaign until a knee injury sidelined his season. He's a big kid that can handle the rock and fill the nets from deep. He's above average athletically, but will need time to recover. NAIAs, division threes and JUCOs that can afford to be patient should be all over this kid.

Only at Saginaw High could Coach Dawkins afford to keep this guy on the bench. Great athlete with legit skill. Long yet a true perimeter player. Two years of JUCO I believe would be enough to launch this guy onto a division one roster.

Gritty and athletic guard that tends to float between a jacker and a non-factor. Somewhere in between is a fantastic ball player with a load of upside. Good dribbler, great finisher and okay shooter that should go the JUCO route.

Strong, experienced and above average athlete for a high school post. Shy on offense, but a force on defense. Deceptively good shot-blocker and strong on the boards. As a junior he defended Tom Herzog as good as I have seen. Kind of guy that

dives for every loose ball and will never be seen taking a play off. Pure hustle and effort guy. Would be a nice addition to a NAIA or divsion three program once he learns a few low post moves.

A true gamer that could play either guard spot. Very few flaws and plays the game a step ahead of everyone else. Would have a great career at a division three or NAIA school.

The Bearcats point guard was an absolute witch at times. He's a fantastic ball-handler that moves like a gazelle on the court. Nice from deep and tough to beat off the dribble. His length is a great bonus. Once he puts on some muscle, he could have little problem at the division two or three level.

A real nice shooting guard that's a strong finisher and a fantastic mid-range shooter. One of the finest on-the-ball defenders around and can flush it at will. A great get for NAIAs or division threes and a solid division two prospect.

Long and runs the floor well. Disappears at times and may require a redshirt to add muscle and motivate. With the right coach and a year to redshirt he could become a real steal. JUCO may be a good road where he could turn into a Zack Gibson-type player.

Great talent with athleticism and skill. A natural point guard that showed flashes of great play-making from time-to-time despite playing in a small forward role. Two years of JUCO could bring the true point guard out of him and land him a spot at a division two program. TLH was a four-year starter at Swartz Creek.

Was impressive in spurts throughout the season. Good height and solid build. Could become a legit power forward at the division two level. Two years with a good JUCO program could elevate him to low division one. A senior with very little on the court experience so his true potential is probably still dormant.

Erving McFadden (right) 5'11" Flint Southwestern

Great defender and solid outside shooter. Ran the point for a good portion of the season at one of the top programs in the state. Currently entertaining the JUCO route like his brother Thad. Expect to see Erving at SC4 next season.

Grades and skills should land him a scholarship at an Ivy League-type program. Efficient ball-handler, solid shooter with exceptional mid-range game and tends to play a level ahead of his peers. Should actually be a member of the 2008 class so marked improvements are expected, but he is already a fantastic package.

Lacks ideal height for the inside game, but does nothing but produce. Easily a double-double guy in the SVL. NAIAs and division threes should not be scared off by his height -- the kid can play.

After his junior year he seemed ready to become a division one recruit, but his senior campaign set him back a bit. He used to be a stopper close to Bobby Lewis' league, but a thicker frame as a senior denied him a step or two and at times seemed too slow to cover the elite offensive players. Still as savvy and tough as they come. An improved shooter from deep, sound with the ball in his hands and a very good athlete. Division one potential that may require two years of JUCO to meet it.

A true shooting guard that was forced to play out of position at point guard, but should only benefit from that experience. Efficient ball-handler and a money deep threat. Better defender than advertised. Would do well at the NAIA or division three level, but I expect he will land at a JUCO.

Unknown quantity in large part but a near double-double guy in the ultra competitive SVL. It's hard to coach height and Nate has it in spades. Not exactly a stiff. He could play division two ball, but would be a steal at a division three or NAIA program.

Probably one of the better unsigned point guard prospects left in Michigan. Strong and big build that allows him to abuse opposing guards on both ends. His touch is second-to-none in the lane. Kind of a Gary Payton-type player. Not a ton of experience at point guard due to Bridgeport's need for him to score; two years of JUCO are needed to refine his quarterbacking skills, but should be a low division one player once that's done.

Was the top player on one of the better SVL programs. Strong and athletic coach's son with a nice shooting guard skill-set. I feel like he could be a big steal for the non-division one programs.

I doubted his skill, but against Flint Southwestern he was the only Bearcat that seemed to belong. His length, athleticm and touch are a constant headache for opposing teams. An okay shooter from deep and an okay prospect at the wing. Would be a nice division two player with two years of JUCO where he can fine tune his skills and beef up.