Northview junior Brady Swartz has blossomed into a star
Northview junior Brady Swartz puts up a shot against Ann Arbor Huron on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. He had a career-high 35 points in the game. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Brady Swartz loves to dunk.
But the dunks by the Grand Rapids Northview junior feel a little different now.
He had two thunderous jams over defenders in a game against Ann Arbor Huron last week in the 2K24 Showcase that had the packed house on its feet.
“That’s fun,” Swartz said with a smile. “It definitely boosts my confidence. The first dunk, I was thinking about pulling up for a mid-range (jump shot), but I’m like ‘they’re not sliding over to help (on defense)’ so I’ll just go dunk. On the second one, I knew they were late helping so I was like ‘I’m about to dunk on this big 6-foot-11 dude!’”
The athletic, lanky 6-foot-6, 185-pound Swartz has really blossomed this season. He got offers from Grand Valley State and Western Michigan University last week. He also has an offer from Wayne State.
“I don’t think any of us are surprised,” Northview coach David Chana said. “This has been a long time coming. He’s put in a lot of work in the gym. He’s been really dialed in. I’m proud of him and his growth.”
Swartz finished with five 3-pointers - all from NBA range - and a career-high 35 points in the 72-71 loss to Huron in overtime. He’s now averaging 20.2 points per game for Northview, which is 12-2 and one of the top teams in Division I.
“It shows the sky’s the limit for him,” said teammate E.J. Ryans, who will play at WMU. “Scoring 30 points isn’t easy against any team, especially with team’s scouting you differently.”
Brady Swartz could always shoot. Even back in middle school when he was playing travel ball for MBA. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
Basketball runs in the family
Brady Swartz, the son of Shannon and Stephanie Swartz, grew up in Norton Shores, Muskegon, before moving to Grand Rapids before his freshman year when his dad got a new job.
Shannon, who is 6-foot-6, played basketball at Wayne State and mom Stephanie, who is 6-foot, played at Calvin College. Their son Parker, who played the past two years at Northview, is now playing at Ohio Dominican University.
When Parker moved out to go to college, it was tough on Brady. The brothers are very close.
“We’ve gotten closer over the past few years,” Brady said. “He’s my best friend. He moved out to play basketball in college, so that’s a good thing. But practices feel different now. I still talk to him almost every day.”
Parker, a lean 6-foot-7 forward, was a good player at Northview. But Brady has already surpassed him.
“My brother kinda got bouncy out of nowhere and I was like ‘Is that gonna happen to me?’” Brady asked. “And it did.”
Brady grew like a weed in the past two years, and he might not be done growing. He said he continues to grow out of his clothes.
“Freshman year, I was like 5-11,” he said. “Over the last two years, I’ve grown like six inches. I didn’t realize it that much. It was my parents who were like ‘you’ve gotten a lot taller.’ I hit my head on the bus door now, though.”
Northview junior Brady Swartz gets helped up by teammates E.J. Ryans, left, and Jack Van Prooyen, against Ann Arbor Huron on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
Working with dad isn’t always easy
Shannon, who records all of Brady’s travel ball games, and some of the games in the regular season, likes to break down tape afterward. Although, Brady’s not always in the mood after a long game.
“It’s tough,” Brady said. “But at the same time I like it because I know he wants me to be great. He sees I have potential and I see that, too. So it helps me.”
Shannon works a lot on Brady’s shooting, which has elevated his game to another level.
“We kind of dedicate a lot of time to his shooting,” Chana said. “Especially for our guys who are going to play at the next level. What we’ve learned is, college coaches want to see that you can shoot. I know his dad works on him with that, too. He played Division II basketball, so that has helped (Brady) a lot.”
Brady’s body gets stronger and so does his game
Brady said he’s trying to bulk up and he’s getting results.
“I’ve been working on getting stronger,” he said. “And when you’re stronger, you can shoot from farther out.”
E.J. Ryans is seeing a different player this season.
“He’s just more confident,” Ryans said. “He’s always been able to hit shots and dunk on people. I think now he’s thinking ‘oh, I can do this. No one can guard me or I can dunk on anyone.’ He can do those kind of things anytime he wants to and that really helps our team. That can light a fire under us.”
Northview junior Brady Swartz shoots a 3-pointer against Ann Arbor Huron on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
He’s still a kid off the court
Brady is a serious kid on the court. But off the court, well, he’s still a kid.
“Off the court, he’s kinda goofy,” Ryans said. “Him and my brother (Cam Ryans) are like that. That’s why the older brothers and the younger brothers are such good friends. Parker Swartz and myself are just kinda chill and laid back. And the younger guys are so energetic and kinda goofing around.”
Brady said he and the Ryans brothers are part of his family. Cam Ryans, one of the top sophomore’s in the state, also has several Division I offers.
“That’s my family,” Brady said. “We hang out every day. I’m tight with Cam and E.J.”
That bond works out well for Northview.
The Wildcats are focused on districts at the end of this month. But they still have two games against No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian in the next week.
“In practice, coach (Chana) says every day that the things we do in practice carry over to the games,” Brady said. “You can’t take plays off. You have to go hard even in practice.”
