Flyin’ to the Hoop: Saturday Stock-Risers
Simple concept here: Which players from Saturday’s action at Flyin’ to the Hoop rose up recruitment boards and the Prep Hoops Ohio Prospect Rankings? Okay, let’s get into it.
Jack Hendricks (2018), 5’10” G, Fairmont
Hendricks scored 20 points in the first half alone to start off the weekend (Fairmont actually played on Friday). He’s a knock-down shooter who creates separation away from the ball. Despite his height, Hendricks doesn’t need much separation to shoot the ball. He drives to pass and reposition himself on the court, showing solid court awareness.
Even though he’s in a point guard’s body with a two-guard’s skillset, Hendricks is a surefire Division III prospect. Hendricks is averaging 18.4 points per game with shooting splits of 46-46-83. A ridiculous 112 of his 162 shot attempts have been for 3 points.
Samari Curtis (2018), 6’4” G, Xenia
We’ve already wrote about Curtis a bit today. Go read that for a complete picture. But we’d like to reiterate how impressive Curtis was off the dribble today. He’s a stop and start type slasher whose hesitation move defenders always bite on. The junior showed that he can play either guard spot today with his vision and unselfishness. He’s a bit inconsistent as a shooter, but when Curtis is attacking he looks like a MM/HM type talent. While he was 50 percent at the charity stripe against Olentangy Liberty, he’s 76 percent on the season and getting there 11 times per game.
Mitchell Kershner (2019), 6’3” G, Olentangy Liberty
Kershner could be a priority for Division III programs across the state a year from now. He’s a pretty long kid who should defend well against wings at the next level. He showed grit and instincts by finding offensive rebounds. Solid athlete when attacking the basket. Kershner can also shoot the triple.
Jack Sawyer (2021), 6’4” F, Pickerington North
Sawyer was the most impressive freshman from Ohio today by a wide margin. We already knew he could bruise inside, win rebounding battles, and run the floor. Sawyer maintained his reputation as a hard-nosed kid, once flying into the bench to save a loose ball.
But, Saywer built upon his freshman year résumé with a pair of turnaround jumpers against sound defense. He keeps the ball high above his head while spinning over the right shoulder and has a great touch. He shot 5/7 and finished with 13 points.
Darweshi Hunter (2018), 6’4” G, Princeton
Hunter is one of the top pure wing scorers in the 2018 class and is unsigned, yet only has four offers from Division II or NAIA programs. He scored 20 points against a defensive specialist that’s committed to Findlay today and did so with a few memorable flashes of athleticism. Hunter dropped home 3-pointers with range, absorbed a bump for an and-one, and went behind his back as a defender soared by for a crowd-pleasing layup. Division II programs should take another look before the season is over.
Amari Davis (2019), 6’4” G, Trotwood-Madison
The defender stares ahead as a 6’4” bullet comes full-speed directly at them. Davis continues to barrel down the court as the defender retreats just slightly. Then, boom, just then, he stops on a dime and rises up high for a pull-up jumper. Two points for Trotwood.
Davis was flat-out spectacular in the mid-range tonight, scoring 24 points and attempting just one 3-pointer (a last second shot in the corner at the end of the first half, it went in). He’s also got a mean floater with either hand and uses the backboard routinely. Davis got two steals in the passing lanes tonight also, just four below his season average.
Myles Belyeu (2018), 6’3” hybrid, Trotwood-Madison
Belyeu was out there out-jumping McEachern’s 6’9” Division I prospects for rebounds on the weakside tonight. He finished with a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The explosive athlete scored many of his points on second chance opportunities or flash cuts towards the basket. He once again proved capable of defending guys who are 3-6 inches taller than him, proving very recruitable for a programs looking to play positionless basketball.
Justin Stephens (2019), 6’7” F, Trotwood-Madison
Easily the best game we’ve ever seen Justin Stephens play was tonight against McEachern. Going against Babatunde Akingbola (offers from Auburn, NC State, Memphis, etc.), Stephens created a ton of baskets in the low-post by using the pump-fake. He shows the ball high and can finish on either side of the basket after one dribble.
Stephens looked like a D-II and possible low-major prospect with his burly frame, athleticism, length, and improved fluidity when running the floor.