Notebook: Carson Vis back on the court for the first time since breaking both wrists

South Christian’s Carson Vis, far right, watches his Grand Rapids Storm 16U teammates compete in the Storm Classic on April 15, 2023. Storm players, from left, are Camden Thompson, Michael DeKuiper and Jake Chapman. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Three weeks ago, Carson Vis sat on the bench while he watched his teammates from the Grand Rapids Storm 16U team play in a travel basketball tournament.

While cheering on his teammates, the sophomore from Grand Rapids South Christian High School would gingerly stretch his wrists, which have Frankenstein-like surgical scars down the sides. 

That’s because he broke both wrists in a regional playoff game against Hamilton on March 15, 2023 after he went up high for a dunk and came down hard on the court while bracing himself for the fall. 

But that’s all behind Vis now. He is back on the basketball court.

“I got cleared on Wednesday to play in a live game. I’ve been shooting every day with Coach TJ and Jake,” Vis said of South Christian coach Taylor Johnson and teammate Jake Vermaas.

Vis, one of the top sophomore basketball players in Michigan, played in five games this weekend with the Storm during a tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“The first game definitely felt weird. I only played about eight minutes the first game and had two points,” Vis said. “The second game, I played a lot and that’s the first time I felt normal again. When I went up for a layup or a rebound … it brings back flashbacks in my mind (of the fall).”

Vis, who is left handed, said he has full mobility in his wrist when he’s shooting. 

“It feels good,” he said. “Feels normal. I probably shot about 15 free throws (this weekend) and I only missed one. I hit a couple of 3-pointers, too. I haven’t been shooting a ton in games, but it doesn’t bother me at all.”

Johnson, who led South Christian to a 25-4 record and a spot in the Division 2 state title game, was happy to see Vis back.

“Carson has been through a lot mentally and physically,” Johnson said. “But he has not wavered from his recovering and being a good teammate. I’m happy that he will be back on the court with us this summer (for team camps).”

Just having a basketball in Vis’s hands has improved his mood.

“I’m a lot happier now,” he said.

BYRON CENTER: Junior forward Ben Heagle got an offer from Olivet College. It is his first offer.

EAST KENTWOOD: Jordan Jackson has transferred to Hillsdale College from Wilmington University in Delaware.

GREENVILLE: Junior guard Trevor Zamarron got an offer from Alma College. It is his first offer.

HAMILTON: Senior shooting guard Brady Tebo committed to play basketball at Grand Rapids Community College.

HUDSONVILLE: Junior guard Brayden Szamrej got offers from Olivet College and Trine University.

OTTAWA HILLS: Derrick King Jr., a junior guard, scored 31 points in an AAU game with REACH Legends last week and a 29-point game this weekend.

SOUTH CHRISTIAN: Senior Jake DeHaan committed to play football at Toledo University. He led the Sailors to a 14-0 record and the Division 4 state championship. As a basketball player, he helped lead South Christian to the D2 state title game. He will play quarterback at Toledo. “It came down to wanting to push myself to my abilities and to follow my dreams,” DeHaan said. “I like the challenges socially and academically at Toledo. The other schools were great, too.”

SOUTH CHRISTIAN: Boys basketball coach Taylor Johnson got married over the weekend. Former Grand Valley State coach Ric Wesley and some former GVSU players were among those in attendance. Johnson was an assistant coach at GVSU.