Michigan high school boys basketball: Meet the top guards (Pt. 2)

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

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 part two of the top guards in the state. Read part one here. Wings will be published on Thursday, and posts on Friday.

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top guard in Michigan high school boys basketball?" poll to be posted on Wednesday. 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: Meet the top guards (Pt. 1)

Top 25 Michigan high school boys basketball rankings (1/8/2023)

Top guards in Michigan high school boys basketball (Pt. 2)

TJ Nadeau, senior, Detroit Catholic Central 

Nadeau has the skills to be a Division I guard in the eyes of coach Tory Jackson.

A 20-point per game scorer and an all-league player last season, Nadeau is off to a hot start this season, said Jackson. 

Uchenna Amene, senior, Detroit Catholic Central

Amene averaged just under 20 points per game last season, including a 50-point outing and an appearance on the all-league teams.

An “extremely quick and athletic guard” with lockdown capabilities on defense, Amene has learned to create easy open shots for his teammates as he’s matured, said Jackson. 

M.J. Yeager, senior, Nouvel

Yeager, a 5-foot-10 point guard, exploded for 25.6 points and 4.1 assists last season while knocking down an astounding 110 shots from three-point range.

The guard is back to lead the Panthers after a 20-4 record a season ago. 

Zander Woodruff, senior, Laingsburg

Woodruff had one of the most productive junior years across Division III last season, averaging 23.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game.

The combo guard made the Division III all-state first team last season and has a case as one of the classification’s top players this season. 

Andrew Landis, senior, Rockford

After averaging 11 points per game last season and landing on the all-conference first team, Landis has upped his output to 13 points per game and 39% from deep.

Landis, an Oakland baseball commit, three-year starter and two-time captain, is on pace to break the school record for made threes in a career.

“Andrew is our leader,” said coach Kyle Clough. “He has played in over 55 games, been a part of two conference titles and a district title. He is the best shooter in the history of our program. Obviously, he is always a focal point of other teams scouting reports, and still manages to be effective.”

Mikey DeKuiper, junior, Rockford

DeKuiper, a three-year varsity player, leads the team in assists and charges taken (school record last season), while shooting 35% from deep.

“Mikey is the straw that stirs our drink,” Clough said. “He is a quick and strong athlete, and is our unquestioned best defensive player. We are looking for a great year from him as he comes back from an ankle injury in football.”

Xavier Moore, senior, Thurston

An all-state honorable mention as a junior, Moore is averaging 17.2 points per game and shooting 48.5% from the field through five games as a senior.

“Xavier is an outstanding basketball player,” coach Brian Bates said. “He is one of the best players to play at Thurston High School. He can score by taking the ball to the basket or shooting threes. I think he is one of the best players in the area.”

Daniel Winston, junior, Thurston

One of his team’s top defenders and rebounders, according to Bates, Winston is averaging 14 points and 5.4 rebounds through the season’s first five games.

“Daniel is constantly in the gym working on his game,” Bates said. “He has made himself into a really good basketball player in all phases of the game. He is an outstanding shooter. He takes the ball to the basket very well. Every aspect of his game keeps improving.”

Warren Marshall IV, senior, Brother Rice

The talented guard is committed to playing close to home for the Oakland Grizzlies. Marshall IV has had quality performances this season including a 29-point performance against Detroit Country Day.

Jensen LePla, freshman, Goodrich

LePla, a 6-foot-4 guard, and the brother of the all-state first team Parker LePla, has been an instant impact freshman.

“Jensen is a pure shooter that can stretch a defense,” said coach Gary Burns, “but also take his man off the dribble and get to the basket. Jensen has great court vision and gets the ball to the open man.”

Mark Stein, senior, Stevenson

Stein, through the season’s first three games, averaged 25 points and 6.3 rebounds, while hitting 50% from deep on 22 attempts. As a junior, Stein averaged 17.4 points per game .

“He has been the hardest worker throughout the offseason and his effort is really paying off,” coach Eoghann Stephens said of the two-time captain. “He is a tough offensive matchup for any defense with his tremendous shooting ability as well as speed and agility.”

Dylan McGlinch, senior, Stevenson

After averaging 8.7 points per game as a junior, McGlinch is up to 14.7 points and four assists per game.

“Dylan is a tireless worker for our program and team,” said coach Eoghann Stephens. “He is consistently in the gym and has had a huge off season in the weight room. He has proven to be a strong on ball defender, and his scoring ability has taken off this year. Not only has he been a strong scorer, but he is sharing the ball and getting other players great looks.”

Luke Riebel senior, West Michigan Aviation Academy

Riebel was an all-state honorable mention last season after averaging 16 points and hitting 81 three-pointers on 44 percentage from deep.

This year, the senior is averaging 22 points per game and has already turned in a 41-point game.

“Luke has such a unique ability to make shots from anywhere on the court,” said coach Austin Riebel. “He rarely takes a "toe-on-the-line" three. He also gets tagged with being face-guarded every game. It makes it difficult for him to get open looks, but that is also what makes him so unique is his ability to make really tough shots.”

Gregory Lawson, junior, Davison

Lawson is one of the top juniors in the state. He has offers from DePaul, Arkansas, Louisville and TCU, among others. 

Jeremiah Smith, senior, Mt. Morris

Smith, a leader and captain, played an “instrumental” role in leading the Panthers to their first 5-0 start since 1989.

Coach Kendall Green called last season’s all-conference recipient “a strong and calm floor presence.”

Smith averages just over 12 points per game for the surging Panthers. 

Brent Wofford III, junior, Mt. Morris

An all-state first team football selection, Wofford III is a first time team captain for the basketball team.

He is leading the team in every major statistical category, including points (20.1 through six games), steals, rebounds and assists. 

Nassim Mashhour, senior, Dearborn

A three-time all-conference player, Mashhour filled the stat sheet with 21 points and 6.3 assists per game last season.

By the time he graduates, Mashhour is likely to be a 1,000-point scorer the program’s all-time winningest player with two district championships and a regional finals appearance under his belt.

“He has been team captain for his last three years,” said coach Abe Mashhour, “a fiery, unselfish competitor who leads with heart and plays winning basketball. Nassim is an elite shooter with a high IQ and the ability to score at all 3 levels.”

Muhammad Mashhour, junior, Dearborn

Mashhour, a two-time all-conference player and three-year varsity player, backed up his brother last season with 18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game, hitting seven or more threes in six different games.

“Muhammad has unlimited shooting range, a very high IQ, and is one of the toughest competitors in the state,” Abe Mashhour said. “Muhammad also scores at all three levels, rebounds, and is an elite defender; there really isn't much that he can't do.”

Chaz Miller, senior, Fremont

A three-year starter and two-time captain, Miller was an all-conference honorable mention last year after dropping 10 points and six assists per game.

“He is a great student and representative of our program,” coach Adam Bowen said.

Tyler Spratt, senior, North Farmington

Spratt is a playmaker for one of the top teams in the state. The 3-star senior has offers from Cleveland State, High Point and Robert Morris, according to 247sports.com. Spratt is also a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American Game. 

EJ Ryans, senior, Northview

Ryans is a combo guard committed to Western Michigan. Ryans hit this game-winner against Grand Rapids Catholic Central earlier this season. 

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