Ohio 2019 Rankings Update: Off the Board
There’s an unusual number of players already locked in to a college commitment in the 2019 class. Specifically, 38 of them. Because that’s pertinent information for college coaches interested in pursuing prospects, we should probably acknowledge the trend with the…
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Continue ReadingThere’s an unusual number of players already locked in to a college commitment in the 2019 class. Specifically, 38 of them. Because that’s pertinent information for college coaches interested in pursuing prospects, we should probably acknowledge the trend with the onset of our rankings update by outlining the players already off the board.
Division I High-Major
Jaelyn Withers → Louisville
Jeremiah Francis → North Carolina
Samari Curtis → Xavier
Miles “Deuce” McBride → West Virginia
These four represent the very top tier in our 2019 rankings. While three other lower-ranked prospects could join this group with significant development or a valiant recovery from injury in the case of Ben Roderick, Withers through McBride have separated themselves for the time being.
We mostly covered these prospects in the Locked In article earlier today. But, let’s go a bit deeper on the notable novelty here in Withers, a transfer from North Mecklenburg HS in Charlotte.
Withers, according to Houston Wilson of Prep Hoops, has really been on the rise in the national scene over the past six months. Namely, Withers had a breakout weekend at the adidas Gauntlet in April, leading the entire event in points at 16.7 per game while adding 5.3 rebounds. The four-star recently chose Louisville over the likes of Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Withers is regarded for his versatility, but he also has a smooth high-release jumper and the capability to play both forward spots. His combination of perimeter ball skills, raw athleticism, and size could’ve only been matched in the 2019 class by Alonzo Gaffney, our former no. 1 2019 prospect.
Technically, Withers is the first Ohio recruit Cleveland-native and former Xavier head coach Chris Mack has earned a pledge from since moving to Louisville on March 27 of this year.
Division I Mid- to Low-Major
Josh Corbin → Winthrop
Amari Davis → Green Bay
Javohn Garcia → Miami (OH)
Max Martz → Penn
Lunden McDay → Ohio Univ.
Javin Etzler → Miami (OH)
Brandon Rush → Farleigh Dickinson
Evan Bainbridge → Kent State
Ben Wight → Ohio Univ.
Davin Zeigler → Bowling Green
Andre Harris → Wright State
Kenny Ganley → Youngstown State
We believe the top 27 players in our rankings are sure to be Division I recruits, with a couple other “possibles” sprinkled throughout the list. Those 27 kids are competing for the same scholarships, so it’s savvy of them to commit early.
Couple of trends off rip, the two going to Ohio Univ. both played for Nova (James). Likewise, the guard-forward combo heading to Miami (OH) both played with All Ohio Red this summer. We could possibly see this again with Tanner Holden maybe joining Josh Corbin at Winthrop. Also, Evan Bainbridge could be joined by OBC teammates Greg Tribble Jr. and/or Devon Grant.
Also, the Mid-American Conference and Horizon League is pulling nine of the 12 recruits thus far. Nine of the 13 in-state Division I programs belong to one of these conferences — Ohio State, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Xavier being exceptions.
Additional notes include that most of the point guards and forwards in our top 27 have made their commitments. Plenty of athletic wings and combo guards who are regarded for their upside are keeping their recruitment open.
Division II
Nathan Bruns → Findlay
Brandon Haraway → Ashland
Joey Edmonds → Findlay
Jackie Harris → Cedarville
Jacob Drees → Cedarville
Bo Myers → Malone
Tim Smith → California Univ. of Penn
Tommy Sala → Nova Southeastern
Mike Bekelja → Fairmont State
Owen Hazelbaker → West Liberty
Jake Plantz → Lake Erie
Zion Kolodynski-Darby → Fairmont State
Evan Conley → West Liberty
Sean Marks → Ohio Dominican
Kyle Goessler → Hillsdale
Jake Maranville → Nova Southeastern
Ethan Heller → Concord
Sam Emich → Charleston
The class of 2019 has something to hang their hats on: depth. The amount of quality players who have scholarship-level talent distinguishes them from recent and near-future classes. With 18 D-II commits already off the board, programs of this level shouldn’t worry as there are maybe 30 more 2019s who could land at a D-II.
With various kids heading to a program in tandem, let’s rattle off some quick hits on the programs landing multiple players:
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- Findlay has the top-ranked D-II commit, Nathan Bruns, a player who turned down a D-I Toledo offer for the Oilers. He’s a skilled and versatile combo forward that also carries that grit and toughness that is associated with Findlay. Joey Edmonds also chose Findlay over a year ago. The heady point guard should be a stud at this level because of his outside scoring ability and basketball acumen.
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- The second highest-rated tandem is Cedarville‘s Jackie Harris and Jacob Drees, both skilled forwards in the top 40. Both standing right around 6’6”, these were two of the most consistently impressive D-II prospects during the grassroots season. Harris has a nice back-to-the-basket game, sees the floor well, and is an increasingly confident outside shooter. Meanwhile, Drees can play as a secondary ball-handler, score from all three levels, and is also a high-IQ decision maker.
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- Similar to the D-I trend, Nova Southeastern out of Fort Lauderdale, FL, is grabbing two players from the same AAU team, TNBA Flash. The commitments of Tommy Sala, 6’9”, and Jake Maranvile, 6’0”, were separated by less than a week. On the surface, they appear to provide an inside-outside combo. Yet, Sala is a versatile big who can be effective away from the basket, although rebounding is definitely a strength. More than anything, Nova Southeastern is landing two very good shooters at their position.
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- West Liberty also continues to show an emphasis on recruiting Ohio. Their 2018-19 roster is comprised of well-over-half Ohio prospects and now they’ll bring in Owen Hazelbaker and Evan Conley. Both 2019 recruits don’t overwhelm with athleticism but are two of the smartest players in the state. Hazelbaker does a great job of communicating on defense and he plays within his strengths. Meanwhile, Conley is a truly cerebral point guard who can pick apart defenses when he penetrates.
- Finally, two more players from TNBA Flash, a top six 17U team from last grassroots season, will continue their career at Fairmont State. In Zion Kolodynski-Darby and Mike Bekelja they’re adding two fundamentally sound basketball players who shoot the ball well and thrive in a motion offense. Bekelja can play either guard spot offensively and Kolodynski-Darby has the athleticism and build to defend two to three positions.
NAIA
Ryan Nunn → Madonna
Phil Hughes → Goshen
Quickly, Nunn and Hughes are both underrated players who showed steady improvement before truly taking off in their 17U season.
Nunn proved capable of playing as a primary ball-handler by being an unselfish distributor who puts immense pressure on the defense as an off-the-dribble shooter from NWO. Meanwhile, Hughes was the consummate competitor throughout the year with Nova (Morgan). Hughes committed to Goshen shortly after receiving the offer.
Division III
Josh Russell → Gettysburg
Prep School
Ryan Marchal → Huntington Prep Post-Grad