All Ohio Slam N Jam Preview: Standout Forwards
We are coming back to you with more standouts from the All Ohio Slam N Jam Preview. This event took place at the Wellington School in Upper Arlington on Friday. On Saturday, we covered some top performers, now we move onto the forwards.
Nekhi Smith 6’6″ F ’20 Cincinnati Taft
Smith is a powerful four man with a strong frame. He’s an explosive leaper and quality mover for his size with defensive potential. However, his offense really stood out in his performance against Groveport Madison. Smith was able to finish with either hand at the rim. Along with flashing some shooting touch from the outside.
With great size and an improving perimeter game that could even transition him into becoming a wing in the future, Smith is a name for everyone to know. He will be the featured player on a basketball program that usually has great success at Taft. He already has one mid major D1 offer and I expect more to flow in throughout the season.
Jackie Harris 6’7″ F ’19 Toledo St. Francis
Harris was incredible in limited minutes against St. Francis’ dominant win against Whitehall. Harris is an all around offensive four man. He can finish around the rim with touch, or step outside and knock down a three a point jumper. He also showed some quality passing vision operating out of the mid post area.
As a high IQ big man Harris will be starring in his senior year for a team who was easily one of the best I saw at this event. To my knowledge Harris has no offers, but I do not anticipate that to be the case for much longer.
Keshawn Heard 6’7″ F Newark ’19
I wish I could put Newark’s entire roster on here for what could have been the surprise of the night dominating Winton Woods. However, let’s just start off with their best prospect. Heard has a tremendous build and is a tremendous athlete. He showcased some shooting touch from the mid range area knocking down some faceup mid post jumpers and a three. Winton Woods had a ton of athletic wings that Heard had no problem staying with defensively on the perimeter as well.
As a switchable fluid athlete with an outside shot, I anticipated Heard would have some offers. He recently committed to the D2 program West Georgia in Carrollton. The wolves got a heck of a player in Heard.