Northwest Ohio’s Impact Transfers
Transfers — everyone’s least favorite offseason talking point that people will never shut up about. But, we’re all talking about transfers because in a sport with just five guys on the court for each team, one player can make all the difference.
Of those in the discussion room over the last several months was the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). They made significant adjustments to the transfer bylaw, namely moving eligibility into the first half of the season instead of the second half and playoffs. There are several exceptions, all of which you can check out on the OHSAA official website. And, to be honest, we don’t know which of (if any) these players meets those exceptions. So, in putting together the list of Northwest Ohio’s Impact Transfers, we’re working on the assumption that these kids are allowed to play.
Josiah Fulcher (2020), 6’2” G [Pickerington Central → Lima Senior] &
Jamir Simpson (2020), 6’3” W [Pickerington Central → Lima Senior]
Lima Senior may enter the season without a ton of preseason buzz, but this will be an exciting watch and difficult matchup — in large part because of their Pick Central transfers.
First of all, Fulcher is the only guard in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference with Division I offers (Kent State, Akron, Stony Brook). His defensive IQ, quickness, and length will fit into a guard-oriented speedy team that we believe will play a pressure defense. Many of Fulcher’s field goals come on catch-and-shoot, but he can grab and go from the wing to get to the rack.
Simpson will be one of their largest players, if not the largest, at 6’3”-6’4”. He’s a powerful wing that should be able to hold his own against most forward and centers in the undersized TRAC. If he can turn his offensive game into a mismatch by dancing with and/or zooming by slow-footed bigs on the perimeter, Lima’s scoring attack will benefit.
Caleb Smith (2020), 6’4” W [Rogers → Toledo St. John’s] &
Shane Garcia (2021), 6’3” W [Anthony Wayne → Toledo St. John’s]
Toledo St. John’s doesn’t enter the season with a dominant Division I prospect on the roster, like a Vincent Williams. Their strength, however, is wing depth.
Smith could be their premier scorer when he’s available. At Rogers as an underclassman, he showed a knack for getting a step on defenders by attacking the basket with reckless abandon. He has a quick first step that creates opportunities at the free throw line. Streaky shooter who could become consistent over time.
Garcia may be a year away from contributing at a high level. But, he will add depth while Smith, Sam Swift, and Brady Lichtenberg are out with injury to start the season. He’ll be relied upon for his catch-and-shoot ability.
These two will be available at different points in the season with Smith in the second half and Garcia in the first 11 games.
TJ Pugh (2021), 6’5” W/F [Seneca East → Shelby]
Shelby acquired a legitimate centerpiece for their program in Pugh, Ohio’s no. 41 ranked 2021 prospect. The combo forward uses his power and spin move to score in the lane. Pugh likes to handle the ball a lot, often grabbing the rebound before bringing it up and initiating the offense. He looked natural in that role during the grassroots season, it’ll be interesting if that translates to a slower version of basketball in the winter. Regardless, he’s a pretty skilled ball-handler and distributor for his body type. If the jumper becomes consistent, Pugh could become a household name in Ohio’s scouting circles.