Updated 2017 Rankings: Biggest Risers
Full 2017 Rankings Brett Lauf (Napoleon/All Ohio Black) The confident guard is likely to be the best player in the Northern Lakes League this coming winter. As for the summer, he impressed for All Ohio Black, showing the ability to come…
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Brett Lauf (Napoleon/All Ohio Black)
The confident guard is likely to be the best player in the Northern Lakes League this coming winter. As for the summer, he impressed for All Ohio Black, showing the ability to come off-ball on a team full of point guards.
The 6’0” point guard is drawing interest from premier in-state Division II programs right now. However, it’s likely he will end up at Lafayette College, a Division I program in Pennsylvania.
Lauf is currently on the soccer field, where he was the District Player of the Year for Napoleon as a junior.
Lony Francis (Groveport Madison/Sting)
This young man plays so hard. You can see it in his eyes when he’s out there on the court — extreme focus.
The previously unranked 6’7” forward rebounds with his shoulders, beats his man up the court, and initiates the contact while hardly ever being out of control.
Francis is likely to contribute to a college program as a freshman if he can gain a little more polish inside. His positioning on post-ups and lack of consistency over the left shoulder are the only areas of concern. As for his senior campaign, very few opponents are going to be excited about guarding him, even in the Ohio Capital Conference.
Dibaji Walker (Columbus Independence/King James Ohio Varsity)
Walker’s smooth game stood-out for King James Ohio Varsity this summer. He has D-I level length and ball skills. The 6’6” wing will need to add a little more strength to make that leap. There’s reason to believe it will happen, as the son of former NBA veteran, Samaki Walker, has fantastic genes.
Previously unranked, Walker is now #37 on our list of seniors. While he remains offer-less, Walker should receive D-I looks in his final high school season.
Evan Kuhlman (Lakota East/Ohio Unity)
Many Ohio Unity members are benefitting from an outstanding team performance this summer. Maybe no other player more so than Kuhlman. The 6’7” power forward gained five offers over a stretch from July to August, making that eight total.
Kuhlman hopes to make a commitment before the start of the season. He is leaning towards either Evansville or St. Francis (PA).
Will Yoakum (Delaware Hayes/King James Ohio Varsity)
People are no longer sleeping on Will Yoakum, who said in June he was just “starting to grow into his body.” The silky smooth athlete moves around the court like a predator, waiting for every opportunity to get out in transition. He uses his length to create turnovers, and puts on a show at the tail-end with thunderous finishes.
Yoakum has likely taken a leap from D-II to D-I prospect. The senior told PHOH that UT-Martin and the University of Massachusetts Lowell are now showing interest.
Rob Brown (Cincy Lakers/Cincinnati Walnut Hills)
Brown has transferred from Toledo Bowsher, where he was not fully utilized. While it’s a leap in distance, Brown will likely benefit from this decision. While playing with the Cincy Lakers, Brown added an offer from Tiffin in late July.
He had the opportunity this summer to get some runs with Abba Lawal, his new front-court partner at Walnut Hills. Brown is going to help the young 6’11” center on the glass and against strong post players.
Brown runs the floor well and has elite rebounding abilities at 6’7”. Don’t be surprised if he adds a mid-range to three-point jumper over the next season.
Anthony Mills (Westerville South/All Ohio Black)
With the departure of guards Jordan Humphries and Daylan Haynie, Westerville South has a bit ball-handling gap to be filled. Mills seems to be that guy for the defending Division I State Champions.
Mills currently has offers from Urbana, Malone, and West Virginia State — the latter two came in June. He is also received interest from plenty of D-II schools, like Lake Erie, Fairmont State (WV) and High Point (NC).
The #43 ranked senior is going to shine on the big stage this winter for Westerville South. He will share the stage with Kaleb Wesson, with a big target on their backs whenever they walk out on the gym.