Wayne, MI: The Michigan Rising Stars Showcase (MRSS) was an excellent opportunity for LBI to get a glimpse of the future, and for young players to get ready for the race. What race? Glad you asked. It’s the race to be the best you can be. However, to be the best you can be, you must embrace the process. Sometimes a part of that process is getting back to basics. At MRSS, a little over 50 middle school prospects participated in drills that focused on the fundamentals: getting in triple threat, jab steps, passing, shooting, positive communication, and more. Then, as the afternoon moved on, the players participated in 1-on-1 and 5-on-5 competition that began to separate the cream from the crop.
2023 5’2" Samyiah Jefferson PG Lincoln King Academy MS
One of the smallest players in the camp but asserts herself so much you couldn’t help but realize her heart and determination from the very beginning! In the drill sessions, it was noticeable that she would always try to be first of the line getting as many reps as possible and going hard while doing so. During the games she showed her ability to pick up and be a pest when guarding on the ball and being in the right spots to get the ball for her teammate, she has beautiful form and touch on her jump shot and a swift quickness attacking the basket. Her name is one to remember because her approach to the game is serious at all times.
One of the smallest players in the camp but asserts herself so much you couldn’t help but realize her heart and determination from the very beginning! In the drill sessions, it was noticeable that she would always try to be first of the line getting as many reps as possible and going hard while doing so. During the games she showed her ability to pick up and be a pest when guarding on the ball and being in the right spots to get the ball for her teammate, she has beautiful form and touch on her jump shot and a swift quickness attacking the basket. Her name is one to remember because her approach to the game is serious at all times.
2023 5’8" Dakota Alston SG Taylor Exemplar Academy MS
This southpaw is a player who impressed us at camp this year, while she didn’t assert herself to be dominant like she is very capable of doing she still made plays and produced at a high rate, she has shown time and time again that she is a shooter, and at the camp it was no different, but her handle has improved, she’s attacking the basket strong a lot more to go with some rebounding and getting others involved. She’s one of those players that in two years when college coaches are on her radar you won’t be surprised because she has a complete game.
This southpaw is a player who impressed us at camp this year, while she didn’t assert herself to be dominant like she is very capable of doing she still made plays and produced at a high rate, she has shown time and time again that she is a shooter, and at the camp it was no different, but her handle has improved, she’s attacking the basket strong a lot more to go with some rebounding and getting others involved. She’s one of those players that in two years when college coaches are on her radar you won’t be surprised because she has a complete game.
2023 5'9" Sydney Brown SG Northville MS
She went hard in both drills and games. She is lengthy which helped her get stops on the inside, but she also moved well and roamed the paint to show some touch on the inside. She can handle the ball, and while her shots weren’t always falling in games, they did in drills.
She went hard in both drills and games. She is lengthy which helped her get stops on the inside, but she also moved well and roamed the paint to show some touch on the inside. She can handle the ball, and while her shots weren’t always falling in games, they did in drills.
2023 5’11 Maddie Petroelje SF Hudsonville MS
Another camp returnee in Petroelje so her name and game were familiar to us. She’s becoming more and more of a talent as last year she locked defined as more of a post prospect but this year she brought another dimension to her game by putting the ball on the floor and making plays moving the ball through tight spaces, she’s also a rangy shooter with nice form.
Another camp returnee in Petroelje so her name and game were familiar to us. She’s becoming more and more of a talent as last year she locked defined as more of a post prospect but this year she brought another dimension to her game by putting the ball on the floor and making plays moving the ball through tight spaces, she’s also a rangy shooter with nice form.
2023 6’ Amiyah Reynolds SF South Bend Washington (IN)
Reynolds isn’t from Michigan, but she competes in Michigan so much that she might as well be. A prospect that college coaches have taken an early liking to because of her size, motor, and versatility. She is too unselfish at times, but her IQ is off the charts so you can see why she is often quarterbacking the offense, she looked to attack most of the day but showed shooting ability at times as well.
Reynolds isn’t from Michigan, but she competes in Michigan so much that she might as well be. A prospect that college coaches have taken an early liking to because of her size, motor, and versatility. She is too unselfish at times, but her IQ is off the charts so you can see why she is often quarterbacking the offense, she looked to attack most of the day but showed shooting ability at times as well.
2023 5’9" Sydney Hendrix SF Power MS
Hendrix was strong attacking the basket as she welcomed and finished through contact often teams when she got downhill, she took pride in getting stops as she defended and rebounded on that end with a purpose.
2024 6’ Sarah Rekowski WF Ore Creek (Hartland) MS
This kid was all over the floor; literally, just a gamer, it’s even harder to believe she is a 7th grader with the toughness she displayed. A defender at all levels, she wasn’t afraid to guard around the horn or in the post which she also did rebounding the ball on the defensive end after getting stops, she looked to move the ball and find open teammates when she drew two defenders, and she’s an outstanding scorer in transition.
This kid was all over the floor; literally, just a gamer, it’s even harder to believe she is a 7th grader with the toughness she displayed. A defender at all levels, she wasn’t afraid to guard around the horn or in the post which she also did rebounding the ball on the defensive end after getting stops, she looked to move the ball and find open teammates when she drew two defenders, and she’s an outstanding scorer in transition.
2025 4’9" Damaya Hartwick PG Goodrich MS
Definitely smallest player at the camp, but one of the players with the biggest guts, a camp coach said she is the next Tania Davis (PG at Iowa) while that may be a bit of a stretch, in time that may come into fruition because this PG from Goodrich has some game of her own. She played with poise, has some much need arc to her shots as high floaters and pull up jumpers fell with regularity, she kept her head up and was determined to make her presence felt, she accomplished that.
Definitely smallest player at the camp, but one of the players with the biggest guts, a camp coach said she is the next Tania Davis (PG at Iowa) while that may be a bit of a stretch, in time that may come into fruition because this PG from Goodrich has some game of her own. She played with poise, has some much need arc to her shots as high floaters and pull up jumpers fell with regularity, she kept her head up and was determined to make her presence felt, she accomplished that.
2023 5’11" Emily Grulke SF St. John Lutheran MS
A familiar name as she spent some time playing up during travel, where it looks like she is trying to get a speedup on things and can get lost in the shuffle while playing with older players with more experience. At camp playing with her age group, she looked much more comfortable and efficient. She didn’t get rattled, shifty handling the ball, she knocked down jumpers and got inside to finish. A gamer!
A familiar name as she spent some time playing up during travel, where it looks like she is trying to get a speedup on things and can get lost in the shuffle while playing with older players with more experience. At camp playing with her age group, she looked much more comfortable and efficient. She didn’t get rattled, shifty handling the ball, she knocked down jumpers and got inside to finish. A gamer!
2023 5’7" Taylor Clark SG Lowell MS
One of those hard-nosed, gritty type of players that you grow to love with just the edginess and toughness she is equipped with, took bumps and used her body to finish, undersized when playing inside but she took every matchup with a grain of salt and without fear. Has some awkward savvy with the way she scores the ball but she found her way to do, one of the hardest workers at the event for sure.
One of those hard-nosed, gritty type of players that you grow to love with just the edginess and toughness she is equipped with, took bumps and used her body to finish, undersized when playing inside but she took every matchup with a grain of salt and without fear. Has some awkward savvy with the way she scores the ball but she found her way to do, one of the hardest workers at the event for sure.
5'7" Ari Parker SG University Prep Science and Math MS
Her grade wasn’t provided on the roster but I know she’s young and she’s growing more and more each time I see her. A long wing, another player who plays up but playing her age she looks quicker and more mature, still putting it all together but does a little bit of everything well and efficiently.
Her grade wasn’t provided on the roster but I know she’s young and she’s growing more and more each time I see her. A long wing, another player who plays up but playing her age she looks quicker and more mature, still putting it all together but does a little bit of everything well and efficiently.
2023 6’1" Nylah Cannon Post Okemos MS
Very long, may have been the tallest player at the camp. Another player who is just now scratching the surface but oozing with potential and down the line will be one of the stars of tomorrow! Learning how to finish over the top of defenders, length is intimidating, put the ball on the floor during the drill session and tried everything and didn’t look bad doing it.
Very long, may have been the tallest player at the camp. Another player who is just now scratching the surface but oozing with potential and down the line will be one of the stars of tomorrow! Learning how to finish over the top of defenders, length is intimidating, put the ball on the floor during the drill session and tried everything and didn’t look bad doing it.
2024 5’1" Emma Bruwer PG Lowell MS
A small point guard with the biggest heart, she just kept coming and coming. She was fierce trying to get inside, oft times dragging defenders with her, held her head high and looked inside to find others.
A small point guard with the biggest heart, she just kept coming and coming. She was fierce trying to get inside, oft times dragging defenders with her, held her head high and looked inside to find others.
2023 PG 5’4 Aysia Yokley Lincoln King Academy MS
Reminds me a lot of current Clemson PG, Camree Clegg, with her body type and stature, a player I’ve seen a lot. The camp setting is hers, she used this time to pull out all the tricks, she isn’t super fast, but she finds her way, knows how to break down defenders to create separation, gets in the lane and can knock down the long ball.
Reminds me a lot of current Clemson PG, Camree Clegg, with her body type and stature, a player I’ve seen a lot. The camp setting is hers, she used this time to pull out all the tricks, she isn’t super fast, but she finds her way, knows how to break down defenders to create separation, gets in the lane and can knock down the long ball.
