Here's a look at the top seniors in Michigan, who are enjoying succesfull seasons. Some of these players will make the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hal Schram Mr. Basketball list. Here's a review of players that the high school sports fan and college coaches can catch a glimpse of for the last time in high school as the playoffs are near. No order.
Derick Nix 6'9 center Detroit Pershing- No player on this list has come as far as Nix in four-years. He's vastly improved from last year's semi-final and final games and will play for Michigan State next year. Too many coaches may remember missed bunnies from last year.
Jordan Morgan 6'8 power forward University of Detroit-Jesuit- Morgan is headed to the University of Michigan and is a dominating force in the paint for the Cubs. While he's a double-double player, he hasn't put up monster numbers.
Shane Moreland 6'2 shooting guard Flint Powers- Moreland's a crowd favorite as blends fundamentals with flash, pizzaz, and sharp-shooting. A championship is the only thing that escaped this Charger as he leads the top Catholic school in the state. He is an unsigned senior. An unsigned senior has never won the award.
DeAngelo Hailey 6'3 shooting guard Detroit Central- Mr. PSL 2009 award winner and a sleeper amongst many coaches in the state. One of the state's best shooters with a hand in his face or not who stays in head coach Ben Kelso structured offense. He is an unsigned senior.
Sam Burton 6'1 point guard Oak Park- A former teammate of Hailey's at Detroit Central, this point guard has taken on scoring duties at Oak Park and has put up solid numbers this season in teammates absence. Burton is unsigned.
Austin Harper 6'3 guard Grand Haven- Western Michigan is getting a strong and athletic guard for the next four-years. Harper is a solid scorer who can create for himself with explosive moves. He has a good chance to lead his team deep into the state tournament.
Drew Valentine 6'5 wing Lansing Sexton- This future Oakland Grizzly was out for the first month of the year as he recovered from a knee injury leaving him time to catch up to speed with others on this list. He is a stat sheet filler and known throughout the state of Michigan.
Kimani Boynton 6'1 shooting guard Detroit Southeastern- A surprise too many but not to those in the Detroit area as he transfered from Allen Academy to Southeastern after his sophomore year. He's been a steady scorer for the Jungaleers. You might see the next Kenny Lofton at the Breslin for the Class A semi and final games. He's an unsigned senior.
Duke Mondy 6'3 guard Grand Rapids Catholic Central- This lefty is a mystery to many voters on the eastside of Michigan but is headed to Providence. For those who don't know Mondy, think Laval Lucas-Perry. He's not overly athletic but knows how to get points.
Korey VanDussen 6'3 guard Zeeland East- Slick scoring guard who adds flash to his game when the time is right. VanDussen leads an undefeated Chix team into the state tournament. A fantastic senior year. He is amongst the top unsigned guards in Michigan.
Doug Anderson 6'5 power forward Kalamazoo Central- Dunkin' Doug. Every A.D. in the state should be happy when he visits as he fills the seats. He's a headliner on the state's #2 team in Class A. He's another unsigned senior.
Ben Simons 6'7 small forward Cadillac- He's headed to Drake and a notebale player since his sophomore year which always grows a strong base when the Mr. Basketball award winner is considered. He can shoot it with the best in Michigan and has put up big numbers in key locations, ie. Breslin.
Vonn Jones 5'10 combo guard Hartland- Those in the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association know that Jones is one of the best. Those that have watched him on large stages, ie Motor City Roundball Classic, know that he's one of the state's most complete guards. He's an unsigned senior.
Matt Balkema 6'10 center Warren Cousino- Amongst the best big men in the state on the grid iron and on the hard court. He may have Ron English (EMU's Head Coach-Football) pleading with the basketball coaches and A.D. if he can borrow the high school Defensive Tackle/Tight End.
Aaron Clayborn 6'5 guard Benton Harbor- He's strong, on a solid team, and a leader that has lead Benton Harbor to victories that have passed them by in the past. Clayborn has verballed to Texas Southern and lacks state-wide pub.
Holden Greiner 6'8 small forward Travers City St. Francis- Greiner is amongst the most versatile on the list and Lehigh gains a solid freshman next year. He can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and he may be in E. Lansing at the end of March in the Class C Championship.
Andrew Vandeirendonck 6'5 guard Wyandotte- He's deceptively athletic and a solid scorer that's headed to Northwood (MI.) U. He's length causes many steals at the top the Bears' 1-3-1 defense.
Alex Marcotullio 6'3 guard Warren De La Salle- Marcotullio is playing a bit out of position (point guard) which has hurt his numbers a bit but not the fact that when things are going well he's one of the state's best off-guards. He recently won a Catholic League Championship and is headed to Northwestern.
Eso Akune 6'3 forward Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard- Built like he should be in the upcoming NFL draft Akune has been a bull in the Catholic League since his fresman year and name recognition helps when the Mr. Basketball award is voted on by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Members. He passed up division 1 offers for a chance to walk-on to the University of Michigan. (pictured)
Donnavan Kirk 6'9 power forward Detroit Country Day- Kirk is headed to University of Miami (FL.) and one of the best rebounders in the state. A recent flashback to Grand Ledge's Al Horford is a fine example. He has to share the wealth on one of the Nation's best teams.
DaShonte Riley 6'11 center Detroit Country Day- Riley is the most known amongst the group and he recently made a commitment to Syracuse after a February visit. He gains much notarity for a Class B championship his sophomore year and he's been near 7' since is freshman year.
Mike Fugate 6' combo guard White Lake Lakeland- The state's most underrated guard puts up near triple digits every time he hits the floor and Saginaw Valley State is getting what they need for next year. A bigger and more noteable conference would've landed him higher and on a mid-major roster.
Daniel Sutherlin 6'5 small forward Detroit Renaissance- A guard as a freshman and sophomore, Sutherlin has transformed himself into a powerful small forward who can still shoot it. He's an above the rim player who is recieving looks from mid-major programs.
Dion Sims 6'5 forward Orchard Lake St. Mary's- He's headed to Michigan State to play football and basketball his freshman year. Both coaches will be happy as he is a premier player from Michigan's '09 class. He's powerful and has the ability to step back and hit the three.
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