Best Available 2019 Guards
November 14, November 21, and November 29. Three important dates to stay cognizant of if you’re a senior basketball prospect. The first two represent the beginning and the end of the Early Signing Period for Division I basketball commits. In Ohio, we’re on-track to have up to 17 seniors sign during that span. Then, November 29: the official start of the high school basketball season.
The imminence of those dates got us thinking that it would be timely to look at the top players who are uncommitted at this time. Although many of the 41 prospects in our weeklong series won’t sign to a D-I program early or late, all of them should play college basketball next season.
Kayin Derden, 6’1”, Columbus DeSales
Derden was ranked below all of the listed prospects in this article at one point. Now, he’s the top available two-guard in the 2019 class. He has great versatility in that Derden has developed efficient habits and the necessary ball-handling skills to be a lead guard. Further, his athleticism, IQ, communication skills, and outstanding length should allow him to defend up a position, too.
The stock-riser was being recruited by a slew of D-IIIs this summer, all programs who’d be lucky to land him. In our opinion, Derden is a D-II college player.
D’Marco Howard, 6’2”, Hamilton
Howard, a kid with high-level Division II talent, will likely have to head the JUCO route after high school. His 2.3 GPA/17 ACT transcript is the only glaring weakness in his evaluation, though. Howard is an aggressive player on both ends of the floor. He can help out on the glass, averaging 5.4 rebounds last season to pair with 17.8 PPG. It’s hard to say whether Howard will be best as a wing guard or primary ball-handler in college, but one of his most appealing traits is that he should be used to defend the other team’s best guard.
Brice Hill, 6’5”, Seven Hills
Hill is a finesse scorer with excellent height and shooting ability who was being tracked by prestigious academic programs this summer. It’s not hard to see why, considering his strong academic transcript, 18.2 PPG, and 39 percent 3-point shot. Hill may also be able to defend a couple positions if he adds weight to his frame and becomes more physical. For now, he’s a creative bucket-getter who uses the threat of his catch-and-shoot to set up clever one-dribble pull-ups.
Demetrius Terry, 6’0”, St. Edward
Terry’s most prosperous stretch of basketball in his prep career came last high school season. He will need to replicate that success as a senior to earn a scholarship offer. Terry has a surplus of athleticism and he’s electric on the dribble-drive. Continuing to diversify his game with outside shooting, playmaking ability, and defense will help. However, we expect Terry to prove himself in those categories as St. Edward’s top senior this season.
Alex Dotson, 6’4”, Purcell Marian
Dotson is a combo guard with a lot of untapped potential as a slasher and defender. He began showing signs in his 17U season when his aggressiveness kicked in during July. The physical tools and IQ are there, but we’re hoping to see Dotson become more assertive next season while also raising his outside shooting numbers.
Malone had begun circling him later in the grassroots season.
Bodie Eberhart, 6’1”, Marysville
Given his football offer from Urbana, it’s difficult to say which sport Eberhart will choose in college. The development of basketball options would likely ease his decision though. He’s one of the most underrated shooters in Ohio. His quick-release and off-ball movement make Eberhart very effective away from the ball, even if he’s also capable of being a shifty drive-and-kick primary ball-handler. Pretty quick twitch athlete who can get deflections on defense.