As one of the top basketball players in Northeast Michigan, Hillman’s Gunnar Libby was recently selected to take part in Michigan’s annual Reaching Higher showcase.

“It’s an honor to be selected for this event and to be considered to be on the same level as all these other guys that will be attending. It’s just good to see that my hard work is paying off. I can’t wait to represent Northeast Michigan and my hometown of Hillman,” Libby said.

The event will begin today at 3 p.m. with scrimmages running from 5:45-8 p.m. and will take place at Milford High School.

Participants in the program were selected by a committee of Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan members as the process began in December when local high school coaches submitted nominations to the selection committee. The participants were later chosen in February and Libby was the only player from the area to be selected for this year’s showcase.

“It just really says a lot about the kind of talent Gunnar is, to be selected for such an event. He is one of the hardest working kids that I have had the privilege to coach,” Hillman basketball coach Eric Muszynski said.

More than 200 athletes with aspirations to play basketball at the college level will train, scrimmage and show off their skills in front of schools from all three NCAA divisions, junior colleges and NAIA.

The Reaching Higher event not only focuses on basketball, but gives the athletes an opportunity to be included in classroom sessions. These give athletes a vision of what it takes to become a college basketball player and also succeed inside the classroom while enjoying the college experience.

Two speakers will also be on hand during the event to talk to the participants: Carlton Valentine, a former Michigan State University standout and father of recent Chicago Bulls draft pick Denzel Valentine and Justin Jennings who went on to play at Purdue.

“I’m hoping to gain a better understanding of what it takes to get to that next level. It will also be fun getting to know and play alongside some of the best players Michigan has to offer. I’m looking forward to listening to the guest speakers, I’m really thrilled to be apart of this,” Libby said.

This will be the second time that Hillman has sent one of its players to the Reaching Higher showcase. Just two years ago former Tigers standout Mason VanPamel attended the event and later went on to play basketball at Delta Community College.

Both VanPamel and Libby spent time playing alongside each other and were a huge part of putting the Hillman basketball program on the map.

“Along with being a great individual player, Gunnar always puts the team first and is a complete team player. To have him be selected for this event not only speaks volumes for the player he is, but it is also great for our program and I couldn’t be happier that he is getting this opportunity,” Muszynski said.

After a stellar junior campaign, Libby will look to learn from this great opportunity that he has earned and open some eyes heading into what could be a huge senior year before possibly taking the next step in his career.

“I want to thank all of the people who have helped me along the way. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without all of the great teammates and support I have had,” Libby said.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.