Weekend Warm-Up: Circuit Teams
Starting this week and continuing throughout the entirety of the grassroots season, Prep Hoops Ohio will provide weekly previews for circuit events (EYBL, adidas Gauntlet Gold, UAA, adidas Gauntlet Silver, and Hoop Group) and non-shoe-sponsored tournaments.
The goal is to give coaches, scouts, and fans a heads up on everybody’s team performance the weekend prior while also taking a look at individual stock-risers. Recruiting updates, statistics, and analysis will be provided wherever appropriate.
(Grassroots coaches and sources can reach out to anthony@prephoops.com to provide information if you’d like.)
Today, we’re starting with the three primary circuits, which we will do every Thursday from here on out. Not every team will always be included by the way.
The 17U Nike EYBL circuit and the Nike Midwest Takeover are both taking place in Indianapolis this weekend.
All Ohio Red’s 17U went 0-4 during Session I in Dallas. We expect that group to play inspired basketball this coming weekend.
Meanwhile, Red’s 16U and 15U teams had outstanding performances at the Pitt Jam Fest last weekend, finishing in the semifinals and round of 16 respectively. Both teams finished higher than any other Ohio counterpart in their age groups. This weekend, the schedule doesn’t get any easier, but they both appear ready to compete amongst the country’s finest.
17U
Ohio State verbal commit Alonzo Gaffney received praise for his scoring ability and pace last weekend. The 6’9” high-upside combo forward led the team in rebounds (5.5 per game), assists (2.5) and steals (1.5) last weekend.
Gaffney fell three points shy of the team lead for scoring, which is held by Gahanna 6’3” guard Josh Corbin at 14.0 point per game. Amongst Ohio’s 2019 D-I prospects, Corbin is arguably the best shooter. He went a ridiculous 15/30 from deep this weekend. He will be watched by Ohio State, Toledo, VCU, Iowa, Robert Morris, and Dayton this weekend. Corbin said OSU, Toledo, Dayton, and VCU have been the most active lately.
16U
As we alluded to, this Red team was outstanding in Pittsburgh, going all the way to the semifinals last weekend in the biggest 16U tourney in the Midwest. They were led by 6’6” wing/forward Devontae Blanton, who already holds offers from Dayton, Toledo, Cleveland State, and Duquesne. Blanton may be just scratching the surface as a prospect, as MM and HM interest should continue developing throughout the summer.
Indianapolis is also host to the second session of UAA action. Ohio’s Under Armour affiliate, C2K Elite, will have their 17U and 16U group ready to go after both went 2-2 in Dallas a week ago.
Although they both have the same record, C2K’s 16U group is the only one with a positive point differential at +1.75. The week prior, they took down The Family EYBL in Grand Rapids for a championship at the Storm Classic.
17U
First of all, Samari Curtis is amongst the UAA’s leading scorers after one weekend at 17.0 points per game. The Xavier verbal commit also went 11/28 from deep and averaged 3.5 steals per contest. The kid is special.
The backcourt talent doesn’t stop there however. Huntington Prep’s (formerly of Sidney) Andre Gordon averaged 16.8 points on 51 percent shooting. He’ll be tracked by Ohio State, Dayton, Xavier, Loyola, and Clemson this weekend as he continues his ascension as a prospect. Gordon tells us that Clemson and Ohio State have been the most active lately.
Remember when people were worried about William Mfum’s jumper? Well, the 16-year-old senior-to-be has made strides in that area of his game, going 3/7 from deep last weekend and averaging 9.0 points and 4.3 boards. The Northland HS product is expected to be watched by Cincinnati, Kent State, Miami (OH), Morehead State, and Northern Kentucky in Indy.
Additionally, Morehead State will there to watch Brandon Haraway and Na’Elle Simmons.
16U
VonCameron Davis, a 6’4” wing/forward from Walnut Ridge, woke up in a major way last weekend! He erupted for a team-high 16.8 points per game. And oh by the way, Davis ripped down 7.0 rebounds per game and had shooting splits of 55-57-73. According to a close source, Davis is drawing new interest from the MAC, Horizon League, and the Atlantic 10.
Maumee Valley 6’3” guard Zeb Jackson was right behind Davis in the scoring column at 14.0 points per game. He received an offer from Providence this week. Additionally, HM interest is circulated around Jackson. He’ll be tracked by the Buckeyes in Indianapolis.
Otherwise, the University of Dayton is keeping an eye on C2K’s 16U group as a whole. Centerville’s high-upside 6’9” center Mo Njie will also be evaluated by Ohio State this weekend.
The adidas Gauntlet Gold is the only major shoe circuit handling their business outside of the Hoosier State this weekend. They’ll be in Atlanta for the second session of their season.
The Ohio Basketball Club had varying levels of success last weekend as the 17U and 16U groups went 2-2, while 15U finished 0-4.
17U
Stow’s 6’9” face-up/stretch forward Evan Bainbridge announced his talents to the circuit last weekend, averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. He also went 11/30 from deep, a metric we expect him to improve on as the season continues. Less than a year ago, Bainbridge has absolutely zero college interest following his 16U season. Now, he’ll be watched by Ohio State, OU, Northern Kentucky, and Northeastern this weekend. Davidson, Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Purdue, Duquesne, Central Michigan, and Toledo have also been in contact.
Additionally, Shaker Heights star Christian Guess added an offer from Canisius College after scoring 10.0 points per game in Indy last weekend. He shot an outrageous 60.7 percent from the field.
16U
Similar to their high school teammate Devontae Blanton with Red, the two Lakewood St. Edward guards put together nice weekends for OBC in their first time out. Combo guard Grant Huffman scored 17.8 points per game while point guard Montorie Foster wasn’t far behind at 16.3.
As far as circuit players on teams not based in Ohio, Galia Academy 7’1” center Zach Loveday had a double-double in the one game where stats were kept. His offer sheet should be lengthy by the end of July. Recently, Loveday was contacted by Indiana. They’ll be in Atlanta to watch him with the Louisville Magic this weekend. Purdue, Ohio State, and Xavier have already offered Loveday, the state’s top 2020 prospect.