Top 250 Expo Stock-Risers
There’s two distinct ways for participants of the 2018 Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo to make the list of Stock-Risers. You either exceed expectations overall — maybe we thought you weren’t a college prospect, then you show something to suggest otherwise — or show tremendous improvement in a particular area of the game, especially if it was once considered your weakness. Sunday at Pickerington North, there were seven guys who fit the bill!
(Caveats to keep in mind: No players from yesterday’s Upperclassmen and Underclassmen Awards are highlighted here and players are listed alphabetically.)
Kayin Derden (2019), 6’2” G, Columbus DeSales
Derden displayed significant improvement as a slasher, facilitated by ball-handling in tight spaces, body control, and shooting touch. The senior D-II/NAIA prospect handled contact going into the thick of the defense, using strength to collect himself before touching layups off the glass for two points. Previously a shooting specialist, Derden’s new dynamic as a ball-handler should appeal to coaches interested in combo guards in the 2019 class.
Chris Herbort (2020), 6’2” G, Beavercreek
Herbort, a renowned team leader at Beavercreek regarded for his work ethic, had no issues finding space for his pull-up jumper. He peeled off ball screens for open looks in the mid-range, occasionally dropping clever bounce passes to the block when the defense gave it to him. Herbort also communicates well on defense.
Jarius Jones (2021), 6’3” G/W, Gahanna
Jones has good athletic and physical tools for a young wing. He’s a well-built 6’3” kid capable of defending every type of perimeter player. Jones attacks the rim with some power and has good shooting mechanics, although we would’ve liked to see it drop more consistently. The sophomore also showed some cleverness in creating space, including step-backs.
He may need another developmental year on junior varsity before making a major impact for Gahanna. Regardless, the raw prospect has clear potential as a two-way impact wing.
Isaiah Moore (2021), 6’3” PG, Beavercreek
As a prospect, Moore has some really promising attributes, namely length and speed. He’s also a composed ball-handler who changes speeds to manipulate defenders in the half-court.
Moore also has a few holes in his game; but the encouraging thing about the young man’s flaws is that they can be fixed. It’s not like he lacks basketball IQ or other inherent attributes. Frankly, he struggles to shoot it consistently and is really thin. If he adds pounds with age and makes needed improvement as a shooter, Moore will become a scholarship-level combo guard. His recruiting floor is still as a small college prospect though.
Jayden Prince (2020), 6’1” G, Dublin Scioto
Prince was a steady presence for his team in that he consistently moved without the ball, made quick decisions, and took advantage of soft defense in the mid-range. Prince is a capable primary ball-handler but recognized early that he needed to play away from the ball. From there, he was a model of consistency and showed sound shooting mechanics on his one-dribble pull-up.
Josh Thorbahn (2021), 6’5” G/W, Ottoville
First of all, we were struck by the sophomore’s size. He looks like a senior and he carried himself maturely also. On the court, Thorbahn stayed on-brand playing with efficiency. He doesn’t waste dribbles on his way to the basket, often capitalizing on his size with a spin move in the paint. Thorbahn has a collegiate, high-release lefty jump shot with range that extends beyond the arch. He can also defend two through four and produce on the glass. Findlay, who offered early, may have to compete with Division I programs for Thorbahn.
Sahmi Willoughby (2019), 6’5” F, Reynoldsburg
Willoughby made a short appearance at the Expo before heading out. In his stint, Willoughby made his mark on the event by playing with tremendous effort, his trademark trait at this point. The long forward lacks consistency as a shooter but he has unteachable raw athleticism that allows him to control the glass and finish over the top. Willoughby runs the floor well.
Excited to see what type of success he has with Reynoldsburg this year, considering that the game will slow down a little bit. He’s great in a rebounding scramble and on the primary break, but being consistently impactful in the halfcourt is something we’re interested to track this winter.