- Michigan
STATE CHAMPS! SCOUT TEAM: Breslin Center Stock Watch — Balling Up The Charts
FIVE FOR FIGHTING — The top five players who raised their recruiting stock in the 2021 MHSAA boys basketball state finals
1 Keyon Menifield (Flint Beecher 6-foot-2 Sr. G) — Electricity personified out of the backcourt, delivered one of the most dazzling performance in state finals history with a 37-point outing on 17-of-27 shooting from the field in the Bucs’ crowning in Division 3. Without question has established himself the No. 1 unsigned senior in the Class of ’21. Has potential to be a star at the next level.
2 Kaden Brown (Grand Rapids Catholic Central 6-0 Soph. G) — A star is born to say the least, as “KK” went bonkers on Cinderella Battle Creek Pennfield in the Division 2 state championship game, dropping a 25-point effort and firmly placing him on the radar of every college recruiter in the Mitten. Brown is a natural playmaker, a little combo guard with a giant heart.
3 Javantae Randall (Detroit Douglass 6-10 Sr. C) — Best value grab in the senior class right now, Randall is a “D-Boogie-like” presence in the paint with great touch, superior footwork and a grinder’s mentality. He showed off his efficiency with a 15-point, 10-board double-double in the Hurricanes state-finals win in Division 4, only missing a single shot from the field (5-for-6) and the line (5-of-5) for the game.
4 R.J. Taylor (Grand Blanc 6-0 Soph. G) — Everything you want in a point guard, a natural pace-setter, set-up man and quarterback on the hardwood. Sheeted 15 points and five dimes in his club’s victory in D1. Scouts love his headiness and unflappable demeanor in operating an offense. Expect the recruiting rush to begin soon.
5 (tie) Carmelo Harris (Flint Beecher 6-0 Jr. G) — Shake and bake specialist in the open floor, can pop the jumper in the blink of an eye with his deadeye quick trigger and finish at the rim in traffic. Look for a big offseason in the offer department from this on-the-come-up Flintstone.
5 (tie) Luke Davis (Battle Creek Pennfield 6-2 Jr. G) — Man, was this kid a superstar in the tournament or what? Total domination in the Big Dance, a run for the record books. Just coldblooded. Will probably have his choice of college on the basketball court or the football field.
