All In Hoopfest: Northeast Ohio Fs
Over the entire week, we’ll be highlighting the impressive performances from Ohio prospects at the All In Hoopfest in Louisville. We started on Monday with the Breakout Performances. Now, we’re taking a trip all the way around Ohio by checking in on players in accordance to their state region and position.
Here, we have four forwards from the Cleveland area. This is a group with talent ranging from high-major to small college.
Evan Bainbridge (2019), 6’8” F, SMAC Running Rebels
Alonzo Gaffney (2019), 6’9” W/F, Ohio Basketball Club
It’s really not surprising that Gaffney reportedly received offers from Louisville and Florida this weekend. Those are big-time offers, no doubt. But he’s a big-time player!
First of all, Gaffney looks the part when it comes to high-major players. He’s freakishly long and he’s out there playing on the perimeter offensively. He can actually handle the basketball, as he was weaving his way up the court routinely all weekend, regardless of what the defense threw at him. The jump shot needs consistency, but his release point and fluidity on pull-ups looks nearly impossible to guard. If Gaffney hits that jumper time and again, there’s really no limit on how many schools could get involved in recruiting him. Additionally, he’s an aggressive defensive rebounder and shot blocker, as he always ends up around the basket on help-side.
Ryan Kooser (2018), 6’5” F, SMAC Explosion Orange
Kooser really impressed us in an overtime contest with Team One Phenoms early on Sunday morning. Given his ability to either spot-up shoot or be a force in the interior, we believe Kooser could have an impact at the Division III level. He seems to enjoy being physical in the post, as he led a few scrambles for loose balls and rebounds during the elimination game. When he has the ball inside, he doesn’t shy away from contact either while maintaining a soft touch on finishes.
Nehemiah Benson (2020), 6’5” F, Ohio Basketball Club
Benson may be more of a hybrid player, where his true position is yet to be determined because of flexibility. He’s pretty massive for an incoming sophomore, which is a nightmare for a back-peddling transition defender. He absolutely punishes weak defenders or lazy rebound efforts. In a game we watched closely against Queen City Prophets, most of his prowess was felt on the break but he did show nice shooting touch and the ability to create off the bounce.