10 star players to watch for The D Zone Showcase at Birmingham Groves Friday, Dec. 20

Get ready for a thrilling night of basketball at Birmingham Groves on Friday as the inaugural The D Zone Showcase features six of the state’s best teams.

Here are 10 must-see players people need to come watch at Groves (alphabetical order):

Jesse James Cull, 6-6, Flint Powers

Tremendous shooter for his size with upside for further improvement. He has a good frame, which makes him versatile on both ends of the court. He adds excitement value playing alongside his twin, Dempsey. Flint Powers made it to the Breslin Center last year and they look poised for another long run.

Joshua Gibson, 6-2, Birmingham Groves

Signed with D2 Alabama-Huntsville after a breakout offseason, which he’s continued into the winter. Fearless playmaker and scorer who seems to be coming into his own as a player. An electrifying guard who can score in a variety of ways and always seems to make crucial shots.

Steven Jones, 6-2, Detroit King

Silky, smooth point guard who has mastered the lost art of the mid-range jumper. He’s really coming into his own, which puts King firmly on the map as contenders. Jones is a great ball-handler and pressure defender. He could still be a high-level college recruit. Looks like a D2 college prospect as his floor.

Charles Kage, 6-8, Riverview Gabriel Richard

Long, lean forward with great shot-blocking instincts. His offensive game is still developing, but this Saginaw Valley State commit should be able to play the stretch-4 at the D2 college level with a little bit of refinement. He certainly looks the part of a next-level recruit.

Derrick Kilgore, 6-1, Detroit King

Another intriguing junior guard at King. Kilgore is more of an outside shooter and a combo guard. He can get hot in a hurry and really is a great piece next to Jones. Kilgore is a rangy athlete who can guard multiple positions and seems to take pride in stopping his opponents.

Javontae Ross, 6-0, Flint Powers

It’s criminal that Ross doesn’t have more college offers. He’s a scoring machine who also does a great job setting up his teammates. He’s battled some injuries, but is likely to be ready to play Friday night.

Caseton Sendry, 6-0, Grand Blanc

Sendry leads a young, inexperienced team with excellent scoring ability as a lead guard. He can on or off the ball and is a threat from all over the court. Consistency as a whole will be Grand Blanc’s main challenge, but Sendry should be a stalwart on the stat sheet.

John Simpson, 6-5, Birmingham Groves

I absolutely love his game. Long, wiry forward who will be a wing at D2 Northwood University. Groves has an incredible team this year and Simpson is a big reason why. He's relentless on both ends of the court, can throw down some impressive dunks and guards multiple positions. He might be the MVP of the state with all he does within a game.

Camden Fall Thompson, 6-6, Whitehall

Perhaps only Berrien Springs’ JJ Frakes dunks more within a game than Thompson, who is an elite athlete and leaper. Thompson scores 20 and grabs 20 boards with unique regularity. This Western Michigan signee is a must-see player for every basketball fan on the east side of the state.

Luke Westerdale, 6-0, Riverview Gabriel Richard

Westerdale has offers from Ferris State and Wayne State as one of the best scoring point guards in the state. He helped lead RGR to the Breslin last year and his team is an overwhelming favorite to win the D3 state title this winter. Westerdale is an entertaining player who can shoot lights out.