Little-known East Kentwood junior has star potential

Jaxson Tabor brings the ball up court while playing with West Michigan Premier 16U at the Brawl for the Ball in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sunday, July 20, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jaxson Tabor had never met his new travel ball teammates. But it didn’t take long for the East Kentwood High School junior to fit right in.

Tabor, a bouncy left-handed forward, filled in the past two weeks with West Michigan Premier 16U team when the team had an injured player.

"It was a great time,” Tabor said. “I got to play against some of the best players across the state. Traveling with these guys and playing with them … It made me a better player and I just loved it.”

If you’ve never heard of Tabor, you aren’t alone.

There’s a reason for that. He hasn’t played in over a year.

Tabor played his freshman year at West Michigan Aviation Academy, where he started on varsity and averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game. 

But the Kentwood native wanted a bigger challenge. So he transferred to East Kentwood High School, which meant he had to sit out his entire sophomore year.

“I transferred back to Kentwood because I wanted to play at a higher level and play better competition,” Tabor said.

East Kentwood junior Jaxson Tabor competes at the BCAM team camp at Grand Valley State University on June 21, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

What was it like sitting out all year?

“It was very tough on me,” Tabor said. “But it allowed me to get into the gym, work on my game and become a better basketball player.”

Now he’s elevated his game and his build. During the Brawl for the Ball, several college coaches were intrigued by the 6-foot-4, 185-pound forward. 

“From freshman year to right now, my basketball IQ has improved,” he said. “I’ve grown stronger and faster. I’ve become a better ball-handler and a shooter.”

West Michigan Premier coach Chris Pearl said he’d never heard of Tabor either. But he’s glad he got a tip.

“There’s a guy named (Michael) Noble that is a trainer,” Pearl said. “I heard (Tabor’s) name but I never saw him play in person. Then we had a key injury with (Hudsonville star) Alex Armstrong, we reached out to them. We invited him to a practice. The guys love him and he fits right in. When you see him in person, you can see the athleticism and what he brings to the table.”

Jaxson Tabor shoots a jumpshot while playing with West Michigan Premier 16U at the Brawl for the Ball in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 19, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Had Tabor met any of his new West Michigan Premier teammates?

“I knew a little bit about each player,” he said. “But, like, Harper Huntington, I didn’t know he was that great of a shooter. Makai (Campos) is very fast and athletic. Ben (Geerdes) knows the floor and is a great passer. And I always knew Max (Zichterman) was a great shooter. I had a great time playing with them.”

He was referring to talented players such as Grand Haven’s Huntington, West Ottawa’s Campos, Caledonia’s Geerdes and South Christian’s Zichterman. 

Tabor - the son of Anthony Tabor and Liz Kyles - said doing well in the classroom is important to him. He has a 4.0 grade point average.

“Academics are very important to me,” he said. “I’d like to go to a high-level DI or an Ivy League school. My parents have always preached academics. I just want to be something great. Even if it’s not in basketball.”

A Division I coach was interested in him this weekend and Tabor said several Division III coaches have expressed interest also. So his stock could rise the next two seasons once he plays at East Kentwood, which is coached by Mike Thomas.

“I’m excited about this season,” Tabor said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, like Jeremiah Cook, Andrew Kenyi and Samuel Makuag. I’m hoping we can make a run in the playoffs.”

Two of his East Kentwood teammates also play travel ball with West Michigan Premier: Dau Dau and Majok Ajuong. 

Pearl likes what he’s seen in Tabor in just two weeks.

"I don’t know if he’d met any of (his new teammates) before, but this is the first time he’s played with them,” Pearl said. “And it seems like he’s been with us the whole season. When you put him out there, he can play anywhere. He helped us finish the season winning 18 games in a row.” 

Jaxson Tabor easily throws down a reverse dunk during a practice with West Michigan Premier on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).