Michigan getting versatility in commitment from 1Nation’s Griggs-Zeigler; ‘The sky’s the limit for me’
1Nation’s Makailah Griggs-Zeigler (right) dribbles around Michigan Premier’s Mya Hiram (44) in the championship game of the 16-under division at the LBI April Showers Classic earlier this month. (Photos by Matthew B. Mowery) LIVONIA — The 1Nation 16-under squad wasted…
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Continue ReadingLIVONIA — The 1Nation 16-under squad wasted no time getting to the point in its title-game appearance at the LBI April Showers Classic event a week ago.
In the biggest game of the tournament, they put the ball directly in their best player’s hands.
It just looked a little odd to see 6-footer Makailah Griggs-Zeigler (2020) — normally a forward during the high school season for Wayne Memorial, and with the physique (and mentality at times) of a tank — running the show from the point guard spot.
No big deal, she said.
“Not really. I’m a very versatile player. I play a one through five, and I’m going to play my hardest on every possession. Some weekends, I might play the three, some weekends, I might play the one,” the rising junior said after her 19-point performance in 1Nation’s one-point loss to Michigan Premier. “I like to play the one, because I control the game. We have other guards, but just the way our matchup was, I was good at the one. But usually, I play a three or a four.”
In all likelihood, that versatility from a six-footer was why she had six Division I scholarship offers on the table.
And undoubtedly, it’s that versatility — and physicality — that was so endearing to coach Kim Barnes Arico and the Michigan Wolverines, who will get her services after two more seasons at Wayne. Griggs-Zeigler announced her verbal commitment to the University of Michigan on Twitter Sunday evening.
Jarvis Mitchell, her high school coach at Wayne Memorial, and the program director of 1Nation Elite, calls Griggs-Zeigler his “bully guard,” and she does bring a level of physicality to the game, particularly when she’s got the ball in her hands on a drive.
She won’t necessarily try to go around you, or over you, but she just might go through you. But the six-foot sophomore can do more than just drive, too, displaying very good ball-handling for a taller player, and a deft passing touch. She’s got range out well beyond the 3-point arc, as well.
There’s a distinct possibility that Griggs-Zeigler could wind up running the show more often during the high school season next winter, too, since Wayne Memorial seems to have a glaring vacancy at the point, what with the impending graduation of Miss Basketball Camree’ Clegg.
“Maybe so. With us losing Cam — and depending on what we have coming in — it’s most likely going to be Janae Terry (2019) or me running it,” Griggs-Zeigler agreed.
Either way, the Zebras — who went 22-5 and made it to the Class A semifinals four years after an 0-20 season — are going to be a load to deal with. They return Terry and Griggs-Zeigler, along with 2019s Alana Broadnax, Jayah Hicks and Sammiyah Hoskin and 2021 Alanna Micheaux.
Last year’s run just made Griggs-Zeigler — who earned honorable mention all Kensington Lakes Activities Association Black Division honors — that much more hungry.
“Yeah, it prepares me for what I have ahead of me,” she said. “To be put at a leadership position, and to have so much pressure on me at the age that I’m at? I mean, the sky’s the limit for me, because this is just preparing me for what I have ahead of me.”