Durral Brooks named as Michigan’s Mr. Basketball for 2024

Durral Brooks, who has signed with the University of Michigan, is averaging 27. 1 points per game for Grand Rapids Catholic Central this season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Durral Brooks is the 2023-24 Michigan Mr. Basketball Award winner.

The senior from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School was in Detroit for the announcement on Monday afternoon.

“I wouldn't use the word 'relieved' that he won it,” Catholic Central coach T.J. Meerman said of Brooks, whose nickname is Phat Phat. “Because I know that's it's an honor to just be on that ballot. I'm excited for Phat, knowing the amount of extra late night and early morning workouts he's put in for four-straight years. So much of Phat's work is in those unseen hours, and he's earned his way on a list with the likes of Chris Webber, Wilson Chandler, Jason Richardson, and so many greats in our state.”

Brooks, a 6-foot-2 guard, has signed to play basketball at the University of Michigan. He is averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the Cougars (20-5). His team is still alive in the playoffs. Catholic Central plays Grand Rapids Christian on Tuesday in a Division 2 state quarterfinal game.

He will be the 12th Mr. Basketball winner to attend the University of Michigan and the first since Isaiah Livers in 2017.

Brooks got 512 of the 1,150 first-place votes. Tyler Ode of Saginaw Heritage finished second in the voting, Onsted’s Ayden Davis was third and Zeeland West’s Merritt Alderink was fourth.

Alderink, a senior at Zeeland West, and Brooks have been friends and AAU teammates since they were in middle school.

“I think he deserved it,” Alderink said. “The amount of work he has put in has paid off in many ways and this is just one. I wasn't expecting to get the call because Phat has absolutely dominated throughout his entire high school career, but it would have been awesome if I did.”

From left, Carter Meerman, Jordan McCoy, Jack Bowen, Durral Brooks and Zay Larthridge of Grand Rapids Catholic Central during a Fall Ball game on Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Brooks is just the fourth player from the Grand Rapids area to win Mr. Basketball and the first since South Christian’s David Kool won in 2006.

“Congratulations to Durral.” Kool said. “What an amazing accomplishment and welcome to this prestigious club. He is a very deserving winner and it has been fun to watch him up close over his last four years in the O-K Gold (Conference).”

South Christian’s Matt Steigenga won in 1988 and Wyoming Park’s Drew Neitzel won in 2004. 

“Grand Rapids is such a great area for high school boys basketball,” said Kool, who is now the South Christian athletic director. “So my first reaction is a bit of surprise (that this area hasn’t won since 2006). It is an honor and privilege to share the accolade with someone the caliber of Durral and I wish him nothing but success as he moves onto Michigan.”

The entire Grand Rapids Catholic Central basketball team made the trip to Detroit on Monday.  

“One thing special about Phat winning the award is that he wanted his whole team to join him for the press conference,” Meerman said. “He said that an award like this is a team award, and he couldn't do it by himself.”

Durral Brooks poses with his family on Senior Night for his brother Jorden Brooks in February 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Brooks is the son of Eric and Nicole Tatum-Brooks. His older brother Jorden Brooks plays basketball at Ferris State University. Durral and Jorden won the Division 2 state championship together in 2021. 

“I think Phat Phat represents everything you want in the Mr. Basketball award,” Meerman said. “He's loved by everyone, especially his teammates and he works hard in the classroom. For four years, he has proven that he's one of the best players in the state.”

All four Grand Rapids Mr. Basketball winners were in the same gym earlier this year. On January 5, Catholic Central played at South Christian. During halftime, South was honoring the 1988 Class B state champs, so Steigenga was there for that. Neitzel was announcing the game on the radio and Kool is the South AD. Then you had Brooks playing on the court.

“It was so much fun earlier this year when Matt, Drew and myself were in the same gym so this will be another guy added to our (group), which is great,” Kool said.

Kaden Brown, left, and Durral Brooks played three years together at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Catholic Central has had a Mr. Basketball finalist each of the past three years. Jack Karasinski in 2022, Kaden Brown in 2023 and now Brooks.

“I have grown up with him and have seen the amount of hours that he puts in the gym,” said Brown, who played three years with Brooks. “He deserved that award 100 percent. I’m really proud of him, man. Obviously, people like me and Jack have been on the ballot but didn’t take it that step farther with actually winning it. So its a huge accomplishment, not only for the Catholic Central community but also for the west side of Michigan to have someone from our side win it.”

Brooks has scored 30 or more points in a game eight times this season and recently became Catholic Central’s all-time leading scorer. He passed Brown, who had 1,577 points in his career. Brooks currently has 1,633 points. 

For a list of past Michigan Mr. Basketball winners, click here

Catholic Central’s Durral Brooks poses with the Mr. Basketball trophy in Detroit on Monday, March 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Eric Wells).