2018 Michigan Mr. Basketball finalists: All 5 off to Big Ten schools

The Big Ten has had a big year recruiting in Michigan and the conference will wind up with the state’s Mr. Basketball.

All five finalists for the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball award have signed with Big Ten schools, with Michigan State and Michigan each nabbing two and Purdue picking up the fifth.

“This is the first time that I can recall we have a Big Ten group,” said Al Snyder, the Mr. Basketball chairperson. "All five guys are going to Big Ten schools and that’s kind of one way to judge the separation of the top players — where they are going.”

This is the 38th year of the award, given annually by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan to the state’s top senior. The award is named for Hal Schram, the former Free Press sports writer who covered high school athletics for over 40 years.

This group of finalists has a little bit of everything.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Marcus Bingham Jr. is more than just a 6-foot-11 post player. East Lansing’s Brandon Johns is 6-9 and he, too, can play on the perimeter. 6-9 Trevion Williams of Detroit Henry Ford Academy School for Creative Studies is one of the best rebounders the state has had in years.

On the perimeter are Clarkston’s 6-0 Foster Loyer and 5-11 David DeJulius of Detroit East English Village, who have helped redefine the role of a point guard. While both are exceptional ball handlers and passers, they each can light up scoreboards at an alarming rate.

“With this group, you get a choice with the talent,” Snyder said. “You’ve got the height and then we’ve got these two very talented guards who can score and run the show. There’s quite a choice of outstanding players to choose from.”

In constructing the ballot, Snyder attempted to look past the numbers when evaluating the candidates.

“Mr. Basketball has to show the leadership, I always think of that,” he said. “They have to make the big play, and it might not be a basket. It could be a pass or a rebound or a blocked shot. That’s one of the things I notice about the players in this group.

“It’s really a ferocious competition this year.”

Only BCAM members are permitted to vote for the award, which will be presented March 19 at the Free Press.

Here are the finalists in alphabetical order:

Marcus Bingham Jr.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 6-11, center

College: Michigan State.

More on Bingham:

MSU recruit 'came from bottom' to become state's No. 1 prospect

By the numbers (averages): 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks per game.

Biggest area of improvement: Perimeter shooting.

Best move: Catches the ball on the block and uses a reverse pivot to get open for a jump shot.

Favorite athlete: Kevin Durant.

Favorite book: “More Than an Athlete,” by Etan Thomas.

Top opponent: Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

When my basketball career is finished I will ... “own my own clothing store with shoes.”

Overview: He has a skill set that had grown over the last two years. Although he is dynamite in the paint, he is hitting 52 percent of his three-point shots. In the last year, he has grown 2 inches and added 12 pounds. He is running the floor better and finishing better inside.

David DeJulius

Detroit East English Village, 5-11, guard

College: Michigan.

By the numbers: 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals per game.

Biggest area of improvement: Rebounding.

Best move: Uses a jab step to set up a crossover dribble to get open for a jump shot or a drive to the basket.

Favorite athlete: Russell Westbrook.

Favorite book: “Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable,” by Tim Grover.

More on DeJulius: Detroit East English star guard shoots into Mr. Basketball race

Top opponent: Texas freshman Mohamed Bamba.

When my basketball career is finished I will ... “open some healthy restaurants and own local gyms.”

Overview: He is a phenomenal scorer and has carried East English to an outstanding season. Despite his scoring, he has been a compete point guard. He has also been a big contributor when it comes to rebounding. He has expanded his shooting range well past the 3-point line.

Foster Loyer

Clarkston, 6-0, guard

College: Michigan State.

By the numbers: 26 points, 3.5 rebounds, six assists, 3.9 steals per game; 89-6 career record heading into the season finale.

Biggest area of improvement: Passing.

Best move: Uses a change of direction dribble to get past a defender for a jump shot.

Favorite athlete: Stephen Curry.

Favorite book: "Last Shot: Mystery at the Final Four,” by John Feinstein.

More on Loyer: MSU hoops commit makes winning look easy at Clarkston

Top opponent: Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III.

When my basketball career is finished I will ... “continue to stay involved in basketball, either in coaching or through working in skill development with kids.”

Overview: The top-ranked player in this class, he was dazzling in leading Clarkston to the Class A title last season. He has scored over 2,000 career points and has made 242 3-point shots (ninth-best in state history), hitting 52 percent from beyond the arc. His court awareness, ball handling and passing are unparalleled at this level. Loyer suffered a torn meniscus on Tuesday, likely ending his high school career.

Brandon Johns

East Lansing, 6-9, center

College: Michigan.

By the numbers: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 2.4 assists, four blocks per game.

Biggest area of improvement: Ball handling.

Best move: Catches the ball, squares up the defender and takes one dribble for a jump shot.

More on Johns: East Lansing star dreams of playing at Breslin...in Maize and Blue

Favorite athlete: Russell Westbrook.

Favorite book: “The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck.

Top opponent: Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.

When my basketball career is finished I will ... “be a personal trainer.”

Overview: Michigan coach John Beilein couldn’t have constructed a more perfect player for his offense. He has always had perimeter skills, and now those have been refined to a higher level as he has cut down on his turnovers. He is especially good at grabbing a rebound and taking it coast-to-coast.

Trevion Williams

Detroit Henry Ford Academy Schools for Creative Studies, 6-9, center

College: Purdue.

By the numbers: 19.2 points, 17.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots per game.

Biggest area of improvement: Rebounding.

Best move: Spins to the baseline for a reverse dunk.

Favorite athlete: Karl Anthony Towns.

Favorite book: “Shooting Stars,” by LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger.

Top opponent: Clarkston's Thomas Kithier.

When my basketball career is finished I will ... “start a foundation for kids with disabilities.”

More on Williams: Henry Ford Academy star grabs 36(!!!) rebounds on Friday

Overview: This guy is a walking double-double. He is the best rebounder in the state and that is due to more than being bigger than everyone else. He had a knack for knowing where the ball is coming off the rim or backboard. He also has a Kevin Love-type outlet pass. He is almost automatic when he gets the ball in the post.

Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @mickmccabe1.