Weekend Recap

Michigan Top 10

Grand Rapids, MI

25 of the top youth teams gathered to compete in our inaugural Top 10 event. From Ann Arbor to Muskegon, there was a host of top prospects balling out at the state of the art MSA Fieldhouse (formerly MVP Fieldhouse).  With 4 divisions in action, we were able to watch each team battle it out for their respective titles. Here's a recap of the division play and some of the top players from last weekend.

2020 - MBA finished the event 4-0 en route to the title. Beating Fly High's 8th and 9th grade teams and KZOO Kings, MBA was powered by 6'2 PF Cairo Rhodes. His high flying around the rim and unstoppable post play showed why he is one of the best 8th graders in the state. 5'10 PG Devon Boyd also stole the show, averaging 20pts per game and dropping dimes on the competition. 6' PG Jimmy Scholler was very dynamic with his high basketball IQ and awareness you'd be hard pressed to find a better all around player in his class. 

2021 - The championship game pitted Team Overlooked against MBA.  The game started off tight but MBA pulled away in the 2nd half for the win. The post dominance of 6'2 C Zach Veldhouse was too much as he controlled the paint with a host of rebounds, blocks, and points. 5'8 SG Jace Williams led the team in scoring and showed an impressive stroke as well as ball handling skills. 6'2 Dante Foreman has great size and a very high ceiling. His ability to protect the rim and score from inside/out was very impressive. This being his 1st year playing travel basketball you can see his raw talent. 5'9 SF Chris Clayton also impressed showing a knack to get to the rim and score from multiple areas on the court.  He has a high motor and was one of the best players in the gym this weekend. We look forward to all their progression in the future.

2022 - Muskegon Heat captured the crown in this division with a 5-0 weekend. They beat two of the top teams in the state, FBC and MBA to secure the championship. 5'10 Damari Foster led Muskegon with his all around play. He could get to the rim anytime and made the right decision whenever doubled. He could be one of the best 6th graders in the state. 4'11 Kaden Brown showed great court vision and Chris Paulish assisting skills.  He pushed the tempo, finished well at the rim, and stroked the three.

2023 -  With 3 of our Top 10 teams competing it was by far our most competitive division.  Michigan Dynamite beat GR Phoenix at the buzzer in the semi-final to put them in championship game against MBA.  5'0 PG "Phat Phat" Brooks showed once again why is one the best 4th graders in the country.  His uncanny way to make his teammates better and his ability to literally score at will is one of a kind.  5'0 PF Jorden Collier was a monster to handle in the post.  He scored on an array of finishes and snag every rebound that came his way.  MBA upended Dynamite with a 31-17 victory but the game was much closer than the final score.

Team Teague Invitational

Indianapolis, IN

Oakland Elite 6th Grade Gold Champions

The 6th grade division brought two of the top teams from Michigan, Oakland Elite and Prospectors, to compete against some of Indiana's top ranked teams at the Team Teague Invitational.  Both teams made the Gold bracket with Oakland Elite taking down Indiana Gametime 2022 57-51 to solidify their #1 Ranking.  6'1 SF Ty Rodgers had an outstanding tournament leading his team in every statistical category. His versatility makes him unstoppable on either the perimeter or the post. 5'3 SG Julian Scott and 5'6 SG Juwan Maxey ability to spread the floor on the break and knocking down jumpers helped OE beat the nationally ranked GameTime and bring the title back to Michigan!  

Motor City Thunder Summer Classic Schedules

Rebels Roundball Classic Scheduled

Weekend Recap

 Memorial Run-n-Slam - Ft Wayne, IN

ASAP Blazers 4th Grade Champs

Michigan's talent was on full display at the Gym Rats annual Memorial Run-n-Slam.  In the 4th-8th grade divisions, a Michigan team represented in each championship game.  ASAP Blazers once again showed their dominance by capturing the 4th grade title over All-Ohio Red.  5' Tyler Spratt speed and his ability to finish at the rim was just one of the reasons no team came within 10 points of them all weekend.  

In the 5th grade division, Flint Affiliation lost to Dayton Swish by 1 in the championship.  3 of their 5 games were 20 point blowouts showing they can compete with anyone in the Midwest.

The Prospectors lost a very tight semifinal game to the eventual champion Toledo Wildcats in the 6th grade division.  5'5 Alex Watters drained triple after triple keeping his team in the game.  They would succumb by 2 points but they gave nationally ranked Toledo everything they could handle.

Four Michigan teams made the Gold Bracket and another Prospectors/Family Re-match, this 7th grade division didn't lack any excitement.  With Family winning another slug fest against Prospectors, it put them in the championship against Spiece's own GymRats 2021.  The Family were down the entire game until 5'10 SG Tyson Davis went on a scoring barrage putting up 13 straight points to give The Family a one point lead with under a minute left.  What happened next was "home cooking" at its finest.  The Family coaching staff and parents section were assessed 3 consecutive technical fouls in that final minute giving GymRats a 67-58 victory.  Whats that smell?

The Family took the 8th grade crown decisively by going 5-0, beating two Spiece teams en route to the title.  Ann Arbor Basketball Academy also won the Silver Bracket.

Super 60 - New Orleans, LA

FA Heat 2024 Purple Champs

Fa Heat 2025 and 2024 took the trek to the 'Nola to compete in the All State Sugar Bowl Super 60. Boastin' a combined 9-1 record over the weekend, both teams brought home championships in their respected divisions.  Beating national powers like Below the Rim (OK), NY Gauchos, and AAO Flight (AR) both teams are primed for AAU Nationals.  FA Heat 2024 was spearheaded by the all-around play of 5' SG Xavier Bowman.  His handles and shooting ability, complimented by his size, makes him a walking double double.  Congrats to both teams!

Playmakers Summer Invitational - Dearborn, MI

Michigan Playmakers hosted their annual event at the Hype Athletics Recreation Center.  Here are the list of champions from this years event.

3rd Grade - Common Bond

4th Grade - Flint Affiliation

5th Grade - MI Playmakers

6th Grade - MI Playmakers

7th Grade - All Ohio NE

8th Grade - MI Playmakers

Chicago Classic - Suburbs of Chicago

USA Youth Hoops and adidas hosted this event.  17s, 16s, & 15s division were all part of adidas Gauntlet circuit. Those divisions were comprised of select adidas sponsored programs from around the country.  Michigan Mustangs & GreenWood Elite, our states only Adidas sponsors, competed in each of the divisions.  



In the youth divisions, 5th grade Lansing Spartans, 6th grade MI Heat & MI Titans all made Gold brackets in their respective divisions.  MI Heat suffered a two point loss to eventual champion Indiana Elite Gametime 2022.

5th grade MI Heat stumbled early and lost to Indiana Elite Gametime 2023 in pool play but navigated undefeated the rest of the way and won the Silver Bracket.  They beat a talented Mercury Elite team who beat our #1 ranked MWA Elite 2023.