Junior Standouts: Weekend Recap
The grassroots season is underway! Of course, in terms of recruitment impact, the following four months are most meaningful to the incoming seniors. Although we’re still a couple weeks away from the Live Period, non-Division I schools and other scouts are already getting a read on who has improved.
We checked out the All Ohio Nike Cup (Friday and Saturday) and the Bearcat Classic (Sunday) to get a feel for what’s ahead. Today, we’ll recap what we saw from the 2019 and 2021 prospect, with a two-part review on the 2020 prospects tomorrow.
Josh Corbin, 6’3” G, All Ohio Red EYBL / Gahanna
The word must be out that Corbin is a lethal shooter. Early in their second game of the day, Corbin was disturbing the defense’s discipline by simply catching the ball near the arch. Defenders swarmed out at him on close-outs, and Corbin was composed enough to get rid of the ball quickly to an open teammate.
Later on, Corbin proved himself as a shooter, knocking down several catch-and-shoot treys. Expect him to play a big scoring role during EYBL play as their primary floor-spacing guard. He’s also very good at putting it on the deck for a one-dribble pull-up.
Javohn Garcia, 6’3” PG, All Ohio Red EYBL / Pickerington Central
Garcia, Red’s starting point guard, impressed with his anticipation on defense. The team has shifted into a full-court trapping defensive scheme with their new personnel and coaching staff. With that being said, Garcia is asked to use his length and quickness to disrupt ball-handlers. More than ever on Saturday, we were impressed with his ability to stick with opposing PGs. He’s a big guard.
Abba Lawal, 6’11” C, All Ohio Red EYBL / Withrow
The near-seven-footer out of Cincinnati played in short stints this weekend. On one four-minute dose in particular, Lawal flashed his upside as a low-post center. Both changing shots at the basket and occasionally winning position on offense for easy post entries are what he’s going to be relied upon in his career. When he executes on those two things, Lawal looks unstoppable.
Also, he appeared to be pretty healthy going into the spring, which is crucial.
Leon Hughes, 6’5” W/F, All Ohio Gold / Whitmer
First of all, Hughes is a lot taller than we expected. He’s listed at 6’4” in certain places, but the Whitmer swingman is very close to being 6’6”. Colleges recruiting Hughes will get a long athlete at that size who is fully committed to the the little things and, more importantly, the defensive end.
Hughes can switch any screen and could legitimately defend four positions. The active length is also a factor on the boards, as Hughes is an excellent tracker of the basketball on the offensive glass especially. Additionally, Hughes showed some craft in the paint. He doesn’t usually put it on the floor for more than one dribble or attack from the arch; but he can catch and squeeze his body through tight spaces in creative ways within ten feet.
Jackie Harris, 6’6” F, All Ohio Gold / Toledo St. Francis
Harris would really fit an efficient half-court motion-style offensive system, where his passing would shine. He’s a face-up 4 who can zip passes across the floor or shoot it when he catches at the top of the key.
But he also showed the ability to play the 5 in smaller lineups this weekend. Harris has some skilled post moves from the block, including up-and-unders and turn-arounds. Harris can also push the break with outlets.
His floor as a prospect is set at the D-II level. We advise coaches to check him out along with various other teammates who are at that level, including Hughes, Trey Syroka, Jake Plantz, Drew Bench, and maybe a couple others.
Sam Clear, 6’3” G, All Ohio Gold / Northview
Clear can really hit the deep ball and he has length as a defensive player. We think he’d be a really good fit at the Division III level, but had zero recruitment coming out of high school season. It’ll be a crucial summer for him — judging by how aggressive and efficient he was from 3 on Saturday night, Clear is ready for the spotlight to be shined on him.
Jakiel Wells, 6’1” G, Toledo St. Francis
Wells played for a team whose name we didn’t know, as the schedule was a little confusing by 9PM. He’ll run with the NEO Shooting Stars this summer however.
In our viewings, Wells showed development to his herky jerky attacking style. He usually floats up a shot near the basket, which drops after rolling around the rim a little bit. Wells’ specialty is still not scoring, but he’s also able to shoot off the bounce a little bit now. Going against an unsigned senior PG with multiple D-II offers, Wells stayed in front and used his quick hands for a pair of steals. The kid remains an impact on-ball defender.
Bo Myers, 6’4” G, Ohio Hoopsters / Logan
Myers jumped onto the radar in a major way this weekend with his 3-point shooting ability in transition. He was lighting it up in their first game of the tourney on Sunday. He’s got an aggressive clip and moves without the ball intelligently. A big guard, Myers is a good team defender who uses his size on help-side.