Boys Basketball - Top 15 Players (and 15 more to keep an eye on)

Top 15 players in Oakland County


1. James Young - Troy
One of, if not the state’s most dynamic player in just about every way possible. An outstanding scorer and defender and is as good as any in the county at rebounding. Don’t forget, Young is only a junior and he’s only going to get better.

2. Jodan Price - Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Price can do a little bit of everything, can handle the ball and pass well on the outside, but is just as capable of scoring on the inside and with his size he can guard just about every position on the floor, which makes him even more valuable to the Yellowjackets. Price has signed with DePaul.

3. Kellen McCormick - Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
McCormick is a sniper from 3-point land and is a very good defender on the inside and his versatility makes him one of the most dangerous all-around players in the county. McCormick signed to play at Western Michigan next season.

4. Miroslav Jaksic - Walled Lake Western
Only a junior, but standing at 6-11, Jaksic will instantly become one of the best interior defenders and rebounders that Oakland County has to offer since transferring from Canada after last year.

5. Chris Dewberry - Southfield Christian
Dewberry can score from just about anywhere on the floor, something that proved to be of big importance for Oak Park and Waterford Mott before transferring. He should be one of the more feared offensive threats around.

6. Taylor Perry - Rochester
Perry is a more than capable rebounded and scorer, averaging nearly 20 points and seven rebounds per game a season ago and is a polished passer to go with. Perry will be joining McCormick at Western Michigan next season.

7. Nick Tatu - Clarkston
One of the premier 3-point shooters in Oakland County, Tatu can knock down shots from well behind the arc, but is also a very good defender and rebounded as well.

8. Corey Green - Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Not the tallest of centers, but is one of the top rebounders and defenders down low. Green is also a dangerous scorer in the paint.


9. Jonathon Williams - Southfield-Lathrup
Williams is a pure scorer, with his ability to knock down jumpers from just about everywhere and is capable of driving to the basket to create offense as well.

10. Kyle Cooper - Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Cooper, is one of the bigger guards around at 6-7, but is a legitimate outside threat with his ability to pass and shoot. Cooper has signed to play at Hillsdale next season.


11. Sterling Morrow - Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
Morrow can create offense in a number of ways, whether scoring or passing, but one of the underrated parts of his game is his defense as he averaged more than three steals per game last year.


12. Robert Puleikis - Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Puleikis should be one of the top interior defenders in the county this season, standing at 6-9, he’s a shot blocking threat and can grab his fair share of rebounds.


13. Nic Stoll - Holly
Last season, Stoll averaged a double-double per game and this season should be much more of the same as he is a very good scorer, rebounded and defender. Stoll has signed to play at Michigan Tech

14. Jared Sheena - Walled Lake Northern
Last season, Sheena burst onto the scene, averaging almost 15 points per game and over five assists per as well. Expect him to continue to improve as a senior next year.


15. Akhemji Williams - Rochester Adams
As a freshman last season, Williams proved to be one of the most promising players in the county with his ability to score, pass and defend. Now a sophomore, Williams should continue to become one of the top point guards around.


5 More seniors to keep an eye on
1. Zac Leimbach - Walled Lake Central
2. Mike Oravets - Madison Heights Bishop Foley
3. Chris Hare - Farmington
4. Mark Hazelwood - Oxford
5. Matt Doneth - Novi Detroit Catholic Central

10 Underclassmen who could have breakout seasons
1. Mory Diane (So.) Birmingham Detroit Country Day
2. Sam McClendon (Jr.) Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s
3. Garrett Ross (Jr.) Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
4. Jalin Gardner (Fr.) Walled Lake Western
5. Lindsey Hunter IV (So.) Southfield Christian
6. Chuck Sanders  (Jr.) Lakeland
7. Korey Wade (Jr.) Walled Lake Western
8. Poet Thomas (Jr.) Birmingham Detroit Country Day
9. Armand Cartwright (So.) Bloomfield Hills Lahser
10. John McCarty (So.) Lake Orion