Ray Mitchell has spent years mastering the art of transition in East Lansing basketball. Each time a cornerstone player departs before his senior year, the veteran coach leans on a simple mantra: the next man up.
This season, the mantra takes on fresh urgency after the recent commitment of Division I prospect Kingston Thomas to Indiana prep school La Lumiere. Thomas’s exit follows a pattern that Mitchell knows well, one that has repeatedly opened doors for younger voices.
The 'Next Man Up' Approach
Among those waiting in the wings, Tyree Anthony stands out. The younger brother of former Lansing star Andrel Anthony Jr., Anthony has been generating buzz in AAU circuits, drawing praise for his quick first step and sharper shooting. Recent scouting reports even mention an offer from Saginaw Valley State, a testament to his rising stock.
Dillon Stewart, whose older brother DQ Stewart anchors the Trojans lineup, is another name drawing eyes from across the state. Stewart’s summer performance impressed a handful of evaluators, earning him scholarship conversations that could shape his future path.
Both juniors share a common goal: to preserve the program’s reputation in Greater Lansing and to stake their own claims on the state’s basketball narrative. Their development will be measured not just in wins, but in the legacy they begin to build.
Mitchell’s philosophy remains unchanged: when a star leaves, the program does not rebuild from scratch; it reshapes. By giving Anthony, Stewart and their peers the chance to step into larger roles, the coach hopes to keep the East Lansing brand competitive, resilient, and ready for the next wave of talent.