Under-recruited Seniors
Nearly 50 Ohio seniors have already announced a commitment to a college program, most of which came in the past couple months. On the other side of that, fall came and went and many players’ recruitment remained quiet.
So, here’s the group of players that we’re high on who haven’t received many scholarship offers or in some cases any Division III interest. With a ton of the top players in Ohio already off the board, maybe these seniors will be considered more valuable in a watered down pool of players.
Brandon Gilbert 6’7” W, Cincinnati St. Xavier
With Club Ohio this grassroots season, Gilbert showed flashes of being a highly skilled perimeter player with great length. Unfortunately for Gilbert, who told us that he’s still growing in terms of height, he’s underweight, making him a tough play defensively.
Gilbert told us this morning that he’s not being recruited by any programs. We believe he will be a contributor at the Division III level throughout his career.
Delshawn Jackson, 6’1” G, Cleveland Central Catholic
Jackson’s recruitment has been quiet since he received an offer from West Virginia Tech in July. He can make ball-handlers uncomfortable as a defender and has good instincts as an off-ball guard too. We believe Jackson is a scholarship kid, either at the D-II or NAIA level, but he could also be a stud as a Division III player.
Thomas Hickman, 6’2” PG, Westerville Central
For some odd reason, Hickman hasn’t received any scholarship offers. He’s too athletic and skilled for the D-III level, but it seems that nobody is willing to offer Hickman. The two-way player has shown a lot of improvement over our two years of tracking his development.
Point guard remains the deepest position in Ohio’s senior class, as far as players who are still available.
Mark Janowski, 6’8” F, Lima Central Catholic
Janowski is one of the top true stretch-4 prospects still available. The kid can mix it up inside for rebounds or as a back-to-the-basket player and as a catch-and-shoot threat. He also has a very good transcript with a 3.5 GPA and 27 on the ACT. Yet, no offers from NAIA or D-II schools have trickled in for Janowski. If that continues to be the case, every local D-III should try to get him on their campus for a visit.
Reiko Bagley, 6’6” G, Whitehall-Yearling
The transfer from Illinois currently doesn’t have an offer, as schools are awaiting his ACT score. As nearby college programs continue to become more familiar with the new addition to the Central Ohio scene, expect someone to offer a scholarship, if not many programs.
Bagley told us today that his recruitment ranges all across the board, as he holds interest from IPFW, Maryland Eastern Shore, Ashland, Marietta, Kentucky State, Northwood, Ohio Domincan, and Mount Vernon Nazarene.
Bryce Hunt, 6’7” W/F, Cincinnati Reading
Hunt is a freakish athlete who has very strong rebounding and athleticism. But, more than anything, Hunt could bring freedom to a defense with his ability to switch onto almost anyone.
However, Hunt doesn’t have any scholarship offers. It’ll be interesting to see how his senior season goes after coming over to Reading from Purcell Marian.
Tre Williams, 6’6” F/C, Reynoldsburg
Williams told us that he’ll likely go to prep school if he doesn’t find the right fit at the D-I level. At the moment, the interior force has just one offer from that level, from Air Force.
Jon Alessandro, 6’7” W/F, Beavercreek
Alessandro is another forward with a ton of defensive flexibility. He can also score a bit from the outside. His recruitment has been quiet since receiving a couple offers earlier in the year from Purdue Northwest and Christian Brothers. After missing a chunk of time in the spring and early summer, Alessandro could see more college attention as he proves his healthy status with Beavercreek this winter.
Kameron Gibson, 6’4” PG, Walnut Hills
Gibson is one of the most underrated players in the state, as the combo guard can do it all. A couple top-tier Division II schools are highly interested in Gibson, along with some recruitment coming from D-Is like Miami (OH), UNC Asheville, Wright State, Toledo, Northern Kentucky, and Maryland Eastern Shore. Gibson told us that UMES is the only school to have offered.