Nick Pappadakis Commits to Delta

Bobcat guard Nick Pappadakis announced that next year he will be attending Delta College, where he will play basketball for the Pioneers."I chose Delta because I thought it would be a good fit for me both athletically and education-wise," said Pappadakis. "I already knew a few players on the team. I'm looking forward to continuing my athletic career in college and just having the opportunity to play."

The 6'0" guard was a key contributor off the bench for the highly rated Bobcats this year, providing them with a sharpshooter they could count on. He led all players on the Grand Blanc roster by shooting 40% from three point range, and also led the team in Effective Field Goal Percentage (a stat which accounts for the fact that three-point field goals are worth an additional point). He also supplied  energy whenever he was in the game, and plans on doing the same for the Pioneers. "I can contribute by scoring the ball and playing as hard as I can all the time."

Delta Head Basketball Coach Carlos McMath had high words of praise for Pappadakis and what he will bring to their program. "Nick is a great all-around player that has a high IQ, but more importantly provides a balance of shooting and ball-handling. He will be a consistent threat to score from deep but will also facilitate the offense, as he has a deceptive handle on the ball and can see the floor as well as anyone." McMath contninued,"We are excited to add him to the #DCBrotherhood!"

Grand Blanc Head Coach Mike Thomas concurred with McMath. "Nick is going to work very hard and be of great value to his team and teammates." Thomas added, "I want to wish Nick the best of luck as he will go on to do great things for Delta College. Keep moving forward and great things will happen for you!"

Pappadakis will join fellow Grand Blanc Hoops alumni with the Pioneers in Kevin-David Rice, who also graduated this spring, and Jackarus Smith who redshirted this past season at Delta.

Check out Nick's senior year highlights below!

Accomplishments & Awards: 2019-20

Though the 2019-20 season was cut short by the coronavirus, it was still a great season with much to celebrate!

 Team Accomplishments

18-3 Record

SVL Champions

Regular season-ending win over #1-ranked Beecher in front of 3000 fans at Dort Event Center

Season-opening win over Detroit Douglass at Horatio Williams Classic

Motor City Classic victory over Chicago-Lincoln Park

Wildcat Holiday Challenge victory in Chicago over Proviso East

Team Awards (Voting by Team)

Team Most Valuable Player: Ty Rodgers 

Most Valuable Offensive Player: Kevin-David Rice 

Most Valuable Defensive Player: Amonte' Allen-Johnson 

Most Improved Player: Jacob Carlson 

Most Coachable Player: Connor Williams

Hustle Player of the Year: Mark Miller

Practice Player of the Year: Danny Smith 

Academy Award for Best Coach Thomas Impersonation: Nate Brown


Academic Awards

Highest GPA: Matai Swain, Mark Miller & RJ Taylor

Most Improved GPA: Ty Rodgers


SVL South All League Awards

SVL South MVP: Ty Rodgers

First Team All League: Ty Rodgers & Kevin Rice

Second Team All League: Nate Brown, Mark Miller & RJ Taylor

Honorable Mention All League: Connor Williams

SVL South Coach of the Year: Mike Thomas


BCAM Awards

Team First Award: Danny Smith

BCAM’s Best-Division 1: Ty Rodgers

BCAM’s Outstanding Senior Student Athlete: Mark Miller & Matai Swain

BCAM’s Academic All State: Kevin-David Rice

Kevin-David Rice Commits to Delta

Senior guard Kevin-David Rice ("KDR") announced Sunday that he had committed to play college basketball next season at Delta College. “I love the brotherhood and family atmosphere in the Delta program," said Rice. "They have a great coach who truly cares about his players.”

That coach is Carlos McMath. He commented, "I've been watching Kevin-David play since he was in 8th grade playing for The Family. Evaluating him from then to now, the thing that has always stuck out about him is his maturity and IQ for the game, and his intangibles that are needed to be successful on and off the court." McMath continued, "On the court he is a versatile guard that can score from all three levels with efficiency. Here at Delta, we play positionless basketball, but if we are looking at him in a traditional sense, he would play both guard spots with more time at point guard as of now."

Grand Blanc Head Coach Mike Thomas thinks added, “Kevin has been an amazing leader for us both on and off the court, and his talent is undeniable.” 

Rice used that talent to lead the Bobcats in scoring each of the last two seasons, averaging over 14 points per game. Some of KDR’s best performances though were when the Bobcats played under the brightest lights on the biggest stages.

Grand Blanc’s final game of the regular season this year was also its most anticipated. Played in front of 3,500 people and facing Beecher (rated by some as the top team in Michigan), KDR scored 26 points and led Grand Blanc to a signature victory. Even though Oregon-bound Jalen Terry of Beecher was one of the top high school guards in the nation this season, those on hand agreed that, at least for this night, KDR was the best player on the floor.

It was not unlike the performance Rice had earlier this season, when the Bobcats faced Kentucky recruit Isaiah Jackson’s Waterford Mott team at Oakland University. That day once again, KDR clearly was the best player on the court, scoring 20 and picking up 10 rebounds. “Kevin is a big game player,” commented Thomas. “And this is definitely just the beginning for him. I believe Kevin has a long career ahead of him. We’ve only seen a glimpse of the amazing talent that Kevin is and will continue to be.”

Rice will become the third Bobcat in recent years to play for Delta. Goliath Mitchell played the last two seasons for the Pioneers and is committed to join Northwood University next year. Jackarus Smith redshirted this year but is slated to return next season to play alongside Rice. 

Coach McMath is excited to add another Bobcat. "I think he comes in like a lot of our Grand Blanc guys with a high basketball IQ and knowing how to practice. Coach Thomas and staff get their guys ready for the next level to contribute early and often."