Michigan high school boys basketball: Meet the top wings

See who are the top wings in the 2023-2024 season in Michigan high school boys basketball

Author:
Shane Hoffmann
Updated:
Jan 12, 2024 11:05 AM EST
Original:
Jan 11, 2024

Michigan high school boys basketball is full of talent in the 2023-2024 season. We're over a month into the season, and SBLive is highlighting the top players by position this season.

We continue with our lists by looking at the top wings in the state. Read through our list of wings below.

Ferndale vs South Christian March23-23 Katy Kildee2

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top wing in Michigan high school boys basketball?" poll to be posted later today. Our lists and polls are intended to be fun and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned.

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES

Top wings in Michigan high school boys basketball

Trey McKenney, junior, St. Mary’s

The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 25.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last season, earning the title of Division I Player of the Year.

He has collected a slew of high-level Division 1 offers and has two more years to make his mark on the Michigan basketball scene.

McKenney helped St. Mary’s upset multiple teams on the way to the state semifinals last season.

Dylan Grant, senior, Michigan Collegiate

Grant, a Rutgers commit and one of the state’s top vertical athletes, landed on last season’s Division 2 all-state first team.

The 6-foot-7 forward scored 19 points per game as a junior for the Cougars.

Justin Latham, senior, Huron

Latham, a 6-foot-7 wing, is the River Rats’ vocal leader.

“He can score in a lot of ways, but his leadership and defense will be called upon to help us be successful,” coach Mo Kasham said.

Brevin Gabos, senior, Otsego

Gabos boasts a “wiry” 6-foot-3 frame alongside a 6-foot-6 wingspan, allowing him to defend every position on the floor, said his coach Matt Dennis.

The wing averaged 16.3 points, three rebounds, two steals and shot 45 percent from deep last season.

“(He’s) an under the radar player who can score at all three levels,” Dennis said.

Landon Jones, junior, Imlay City

Through the season’s first six games, Jones averaged 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Coach Don Gauthier called him an “athletic” slasher with a good basketball IQ.

Zander Nash, junior, Imlay City

Nash has been productive in the early going for Imlay City, averaging 23.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

Gauthier said the 6-foot-7 wing “plays very hard” and is “very coachable.”

Ian Roberts, freshman, Beaverton

Roberts has broken onto the scene. The 6-foot-2 freshman is an “all-around player,” said coach Judy Johnston.

He is averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game. Johnston said he has the ability to both handle the ball as well as shoot from the perimeter.

Devin Lee, junior, Detroit Catholic Central

In the eyes of coach Tory Jackson, Lee has the ability to be the “best two-way player in Michigan.” A returning starter, he can play both guard and forward.

“(He has) become more confident in himself over the last six months with the amount of work he has put in during the off-season,” Jackson said. “(He’s a) great defender that also has the ability to attack off the bounce and make the three-ball at a high clip.”

Mohammad Habhab, senior, Fordson

Habhab, who plays both wing and post, has slightly upped his production from last season, averaging 21 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game through the first four games.

Previously an all-state honorable mention and all-conference first team player, Habhab has already left a legacy at Fordson, breaking the all-time free throw shooting percentage record.

A Central Michigan commit, Habhab is the program’s first Division 1 player in over 30 years.

“Mohammad continues to put up high numbers while being double teamed game in game out,” coach Moe Baiz said.

Elijah Williams, sophomore, Brother Rice

Williams, the son of Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams, is one of the top sophomores in the country. He transferred to Brother Rice this season, and he is the No. 8 sophomore in the country, according to 247sports.com.

Williams has offers from Arizona, Oregon and Notre Dame, among others.

Oskar Kangas, junior, Iron Mountain

Kangas, a 6-foot-6 forward, was the lone sophomore to make the Division III all-state first team last season. He averaged 20.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 2.2 blocks for a 21-2 squad.

This season, Kangas has a case as one of the state’s top juniors.

Jake Bascom, sophomore, Rockford

Boscom brings size (6-foot-6) and youth to Rockford’s lineup. In the opinion of coach Kyle Clough, he’s “one of the best sophomores in the area.”

“He is long, strong and extremely crafty for a bigger guy,” Clough said. “He knows how to play with his back to the basket, as well as play in space and on the perimeter.”

Brody Schimpa, junior, Edwardsburg

Schimpa exploded out of the gates this season, averaging 29 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game in the season’s opening week.

“Brody is an incredibly hard working athlete and great teammate,” coach Stephen Wright said. “He is a leader for us on and off the court.”

Jaquan Stennis Jr., sophomore, Old Redford

Stennis is making an impact in the state of Michigan at a young age. As a sophomore, he has offers from Xavier, Indiana and Eastern Michigan, among others.

Parker LePla, junior, Goodrich

A two-time Division II all-state first team player, LePla has the size and around-the-basket ability of a post player, but can bring the ball up and initiate offense, when needed.

“He is a great passer as well,” coach Gary Burns said. "(He) never takes off plays and always runs the floor. Parker is a team captain that leads by example.”

Landon Williams, junior, Goodrich

An honorable mention all-league player last season, Williams took advantage of an injury last season and fell into a varsity role a year ago. He never looked back and started on the varsity the rest of the year.

“He is relentless on the boards and can run the floor,” coach Gary Burns said. “Landon is a team captain and a great communicator.”

Amare Slaughter-Taylor, senior, Union

A guard/wing combo, Slaughter-Taylor is averaging 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game this season, leading the team in scoring and assists for the second conservative season.

After leading his team to the regional championship a year ago, the senior earned a spot on the all-league and area first teams and an all-state honorable mention.

Ali Makki, senior, Dearborn

Makki made the all-conference teams in his sole year with Dearborn, averaging 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

In the words of coach Abe Mashhour, Makki brings the position versatility to play and guard four positions and has “developed his guard skills and can play the point guard position when needed. Ali is a prototypical slasher who can shoot the three, get to the basket, and finish at the rim. Ali plays with great poise and is a very stable player that his teammates rely on.”

Merritt Alderink, senior, Zeeland West

Alderink is one of the premier seniors in Michigan in the 2023-2024 season. Alderink is a strong defensive player, and he is committed to Indiana State.

Jaylan Ouwinga, senior, Grand Rapids Christian

Ouwinga is one of two seniors in Michigan committed to Toledo. The 6-foot-7 senior also had offers from Central Michigan, Akron and Western Michigan, among others.

Tyler Ode, senior, Saginaw Heritage

Ode is the other senior committed to Toledo. Ode recently scored 29 points in the Carmody Classic to defeat Hamady. He hit seven 3-pointers in the game.

Camden Thompson, junior, Whitehall

Thompson has been a force scoring and on the glass this season, churning out double-doubles like a factory. The 6-foot-5 forward—who’s already eclipsed 1,000 career points—is averaging 19.7 points and 19.9 rebounds per game while also dishing 5.2 assists per game.

Jack Butler contributed to this article.

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