GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior is taking home a big honor for his time on the basketball court.
Durral Brooks is Michigan's "Mr. Basketball" for 2024. Brooks took home the 44th annual Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award, given out by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan in conjunction with the Detroit Free Press.
The 6'2" point guard averaged 26.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists during his senior year. Brooks shot 54% from the field and 28% from 3-point range.
Brooks, known as "Phat Phat" by his teammates, committed to the University of Michigan in November of 2023.
According to 247sports, Brooks is the top-ranked player in the state of Michigan. Overall, Brooks is a three-star recruit and ranked 194th nationally in the class of 2024.
“Durral 'Phat Phat' Brooks represents everything that a Mr. Basketball candidate in our state should. He's an incredible person and leader, on and off the court. In the classroom, he’s been a big part of our team being Academic All-State the last 3 years," said Grand Rapids Catholic Central basketball coach TJ Meerman.
Brooks helped lead Grand Rapids Catholic Central to a perfect season, ending with a state championship in the 2020-21 season.
"In our school’s only state championship in boys’ basketball, he was 1 assist shy of a triple-double, and he's having the best of years this year, leading a very young team to another conference title averaging 26.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 5.5 assists per game, all while playing with a small tear in his patella tendon and never complaining or publicizing that injury," Meerman added.
A second West Michigan player got an honorable mention in the Mr. Basketball contest, with Zeeland West’s Merritt Alderink receiving the fourth-most votes for 2024.
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