Top Prospects at Jared Sullinger Classic
There are over 20 intriguing prospects to cover from the 2019 Jared Sullinger Classic, so we won’t waste time on the intro! Let’s get right to it. Jalen Sullinger (2021), 5’9” PG, Thomas Worthington stats: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 1…
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Continue ReadingThere are over 20 intriguing prospects to cover from the 2019 Jared Sullinger Classic, so we won’t waste time on the intro! Let’s get right to it.
Jalen Sullinger (2021), 5’9” PG, Thomas Worthington
stats: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Sullinger seems to have a counter to whatever the defense throws at him in one-on-one situations. The creative point guard was terrific in both the shallow mid-range and at the basket. Terrific creativity (there’s that word again) in the air on finishes. Keeps his dribble alive in the lane for late passes to shooters, too. Great rhythm and ability to stop on a dime with the pull-up. Despite a high usage and number of field goal attempts, Sullinger was efficient. Dictates pace and shows vocal leadership. Sullinger will need to develop a greater presence defensively, as he didn’t disrupt his matchup very much.
Sullinger received an offer from Kent State after his performance, first reported by Zach Fleer.
Isaac Settles (2021), 6’5” G, Thomas Worthington
stats: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Standing a legitimate 6’5”, Settles is beginning to maximize his size advantage when he attacks the rim and defends the ball. Physical rebounder. Keeps the ball high in traffic and drew several fouls that way — Settles scored 14 of his points from the free throw line. Also shooting from outside pretty well this season, an extremely promising sign for Division I recruiters. Communicated well.
Also like the way Settles defended at the point of attack. Smartly used the sideline to his advantage and shut-off the opponent’s dominant hand.
Robert Dorsey III (2022), 5’8” G, Northland
stats: 9 points, 1 rebound
Dorsey is playing a limited role, which is to be expected as a freshman. But we think there might be a little bit more meat on the bone for this efficient shot-creator. The lefty is crafty, skilled, and fundamentally disciplined. Gets to his spots out of the triple threat position. Knocks down shots when he has or creates space. Dorsey shows the necessary skills to become a primary ball-handler for the Vikings.
Jeremiah Keene (2019), 6’0” PG, Westerville North
stats: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
In the second half, if Keene wasn’t sprinting out and ensuring a quick shot for the Warriors, he was dissecting Hartley’s defense in the pick-and-roll. The unsigned point guard was in control for the final two quarters. Shot the ball every time Hartley went under on a screen, converting four 3-pointers. While shooting with range is his greatest skill, Keene also found teammates in the paint for assists. Showed flashes of his brilliant speed but we wish he had attacked more often. Struggled at the free throw line late.
Morgan Safford (2019), 6’4” W, Bishop Hartley
stats: 26 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Safford was clearly the focal point of Westerville North’s scouting report as he saw the entire defense collapse on the catch and received a full-game faceguard. He took advantage, making quick reads and passes often. Safford scored the ball, too, hitting five 3-pointers. Adding that shot has been a priority for the slasher and he’s made great progress. Shoots it quickly and confidently. Strong kid.
Nick Nakasian (2019), 6’3” W, Olentangy Liberty
stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Division II programs who missed on Nakasian may regret their lack of pursuit. The senior wing continues to blossom physically. After packing on muscle over the past couple years, Nakasian is now much more explosive. Finished at the rim several times, including two dunks. He puts pressure on the defense coming downhill with his ability to finish or make drop-down passes. Nakasian shot the ball well off the catch, connecting on three long balls.
Ben Roderick (2019), 6’5” W, Olentangy Liberty
stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Roderick may not have finished in traffic with consistency, but his outside jumper looks to be on another level this season. Ohio’s most coveted unsigned senior didn’t need space to make shots with range. He has great rhythm when he shoots off the dribble and hit several step-backs over a defender. The shot creator required a faceguard.
Brennan Blevins (2021), 5’10” G, Ottawa-Glandorf
stats: 19 points, 2 rebounds
Plain and simple, Blevins was red hot from beyond the arch in their trouncing of Africentric. The sophomore sniper swished six 3-pointers on the night for a game-high 20 points. He has a quick release and got to his mid-range runner a couple times after the pump fake.
Owen Hiegel (2019) 5’10” PG, Ottawa Glandorf
stats: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Hiegel — a tantalizing unsigned senior for Division III and maybe even NAIA programs — played well under five minutes in the first half, picking up three quick fouls. To start the second half, with Hiegel running the show, OG jumped out to a 13-0 run. How’s that for impact?
In Hiegel, they have their one guy who collapses the defense and consistently creates open looks for others. His greatest strength, though, is his pull-up jumper. Creates space with his snatch back and doesn’t need much space to score it. Very smooth off the dribble.
Matt Allocco (2020), 6’4” PG, Hilliard Bradley
Stats: 20 points, 2 rebounds
Scoring nearly half of the Jaguar points, Allocco’s ability to get into the lane was pretty much the difference. Using his long strides, Allocco blows by defenders consistently and has tremendous body control on layups. Truly ambidextrous both with his finishes and handle — Allocco used his left to finish on either side of the basket. Single-handedly produced quick shots going coast-to-coast. Similar to almost everyone in their rotation, Allocco is a tremendous defender.
Garner Wallace (2021), 6’5” W, Pickerington Central
stats: 30 points, 9 rebounds
Wallace, with more playing time, has been on an absolute tear for the Tigers. His dives into the paint, which sometimes happen to be a full-court sprint, result in open layups and offensive rebounds. His tendency to leak out in transition is a game-changer and it seemed that all of his teammates were looking for the touchdown-outlet pass against Garfield Heights. Finished at the rim with some explosiveness.
It’s mostly hustle points for the speedy sophomore, but he also pulled up for a few 15-footers, a range he is very consistent from when the shot is confident. Defended the point of attack well again, too.
Javohn Garcia (2019), 6’3” PG, Pickerington Central
stats: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Garcia continued his hot streak, which has included offers from Toledo and James Madison in the last week. The elite finisher continues to show speed and elusiveness at the basket. Garcia always beats defenders to his spots as it’s been a long while since we’ve seen someone stay in front of JG.
Meechie Johnson (2021), 6’1” G, Garfield Heights
stats: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Johnson truly extended the Pick Central defense to about mid-court because of his pull-up shooting ability. While Johnson made a couple from about NBA range, he was more impressive on the attack last night. Used his pump fake and quick first step to blow by, then a lot of ball creation in the air to finish. Changes speeds very well and knows how to pull-up with the best of them. In the first half, Johnson also made a couple impressive reads in pick-and-pop situations.
Brison Waller (2019), 6’8” F, Garfield Heights
stats: 14 points, 11 rebounds
Waller impressed when he caught from the elbow, both as a shooter and attacker. Good over the shoulder finisher on his face-up spin move from right to left — a move that takes advantage of both his size and quickness. Made the defense pay for daring him to shoot. Waller also kept possessions alive with almost all of his rebounds coming in the first half.
Sonny Johnson Jr. (2022), 5’10” PG, Garfield Heights
stats: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
In terms of making the right pass and knocking down shots, Johnson played a much more consistent game than we saw last week. He’s a blur with the ball in his hands and was able to manipulate help-side defenders with clever scoop passes when he drove. Soft touch and an ability to make shots over larger defenders on the drive. Good floater.
Charles Perkins (2020), 6’4” F/C, Westerville North
stats: 11 points, 14 rebounds
Perkins controlled the glass and proved to be an irreplaceable cog in the Warrior machine. A terribly solid and strong kid that just eats up space and moves others at will. Not really a vertical athlete but finds his way to the ball. Scored on put-backs routinely.
Isaiah Ingle (2020), 6’8” C, Northland
stats: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks
Ingle is the epitome of a raw prospect. His body doesn’t quite all move in the same direction sometimes and his hands aren’t particularly strong. But, Ingle is a pretty mobile 6’8” athlete that blocks shots and is quick off the ground. Shows glimpses of executing simple post moves and could become an efficient above-the-rim finisher once he becomes surer of himself. Long way to go, but Ingle is some coordination away from being more than intriguing.
Chace Perkins (2020), 6’2” G, Westerville North
stats: 14 points, 1 rebound
Physically battled against Hartley’s Morgan Safford on and off the ball, making it difficult for him to catch and score in rhythm. Found openings in the defense for speedy drives to the rim. Athletic stopper.
Elijahjuan Burke (2021), 5’10” G, Africentric
stats: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Burke shot the ball well when he had space despite being more of a slashing guard. Able to beat defenders to the basket in transition with his speed. Active defender in the trap and occasionally comes in for a sneaky steal.
Ben Westrick (2019), 6’7” C, Ottawa-Glandorf
stats: 4 points, 4 rebounds
Westrick was well below all of his season averages on Saturday. Nonetheless, we saw flashes of a mobile and strong center that gave us something to look forward to. Will need to perform better against contact, including finishing against athleticism.
Kade Bafford (2021), 6’0” PG, Newark
stats: 12 points, 4 assists
Bafford does a lot of things well on the offensive end of the floor. He takes care of the ball, makes the right pass, knocks down shots when he’s open and, unexpectedly, is very good with his back to the basket. Bafford showed footwork and ball skills on a couple over-the-shoulder finishes inside in this game.