17U First Team All Grassroots (Spring Edition)
Based on performance and rising recruiting stock, the following five players have distinguished themselves as First Team All Grassroots for the spring.
PG – Andre Gordon (2019), 6’2”, C2K Elite / Huntington Prep
PG – Jeremiah Keene (2019), 6’0”, Nova (James) / Westerville North
G – Josh Corbin (2019), 6’3”, All Ohio Red EYBL / Gahanna
W – Max Martz (2019), 6’6”, Nova (Russell) / Upper Arlington
W/F – Alonzo Gaffney (2019), 6’9”, All Ohio Red EYBL / Garfield Heights
– Gordon’s noteworthy spring starts with his Huntington Prep announcement. The former Sidney two-sport star surprised many, including us, with the move from Sidney.
Since then, he’s proven any foolish skeptics wrong by balling out with C2K, the no. 4 team in Ohio. The dynamic lead guard scored 15.1 points per game during UAA play at 54 percent shooting. His shot-making ability is unmatched statewide, as Gordon has a habit of making contested jumpers off the dribble in the mid-range.
Tulsa and Dayton have offered Gordon this spring.
– Keene, who somehow left the spring without any new offers, continues to solidify his position as one of Ohio’s top true point guards. He orchestrated first place finishes at the Super 16 and the second weekend of adidas Gauntlet Silver by controlling pace and making sound decisions. He combines speed with tremendous ball skills to attack the rim, even though 3-point shooting is his biggest threat.
– We all knew Corbin was about a bucket coming into the spring. However, we’re a little surprised he led All Ohio Red in scoring this spring during EYBL play at 13.7 points per game. The efficient scorer put up that number on 40-41-72 shooting splits, attempting 124 3-pointers to just 53 2-pointers.
When Corbin has played well, Red has looked unstoppable on non-circuit weekends. For example, he powered Red past Indy Heat during the semifinals of the Run N’ Slam. He adds a much needed element to their roster by stretching the defense out to the perimeter.
Robert Morris, James Madison, Kent State, and Boston have offered this spring. High-major and mid-major interest is bubbling.
– Martz, who verbally committed to Penn early on in the process, has been filling it up for Nova whenever he’s available. Martz is a shot-maker from all three levels of the floor who rises above smaller guards for contested jumpers. His highlight of the spring was a Second Team All Spring Jam Fest honor to end April. He’s building nice momentum going into his first season as the no. 1 go-to-guy at UA.
– Gaffney has continued being a bonafide high school basketball star this spring. The versatile Ohio State commit is somewhere between a stretch 4 and big wing. But in today’s age of positionless basketball, who really cares? Bottom line: Gaffney defends 2-5, shoots the 3-pointer at over 40 percent, sees the floor, and covers a wide range of the court on defense.