2019 Rankings Update: Newcomers
photo: Toledo Blade Going out on the road to high school gyms, the best moments are watching a college prospect for that very first time. Throughout the season, several prospects jumped on the radar, including these eight: Mario Lacy |…
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Going out on the road to high school gyms, the best moments are watching a college prospect for that very first time. Throughout the season, several prospects jumped on the radar, including these eight:
Mario Lacy | 6-7 C | Euclid | #63
Lacy’s athleticism took a quantum leap forward as a senior. He now runs the floor, defends the rim, and dives to the basket incredibly well. Lacy is still raw in certain areas — his hands could improve, for example — but there aren’t many available seniors who utilize leaping ability around the basket like the kid from Euclid.
Owen Heigel | 5-10 PG | Ottawa-Glandorf | #98
Heigel remains under-the-radar after never playing a minute of AAU basketball. However, he is tremendously skilled off the dribble. Creates separation by using the snatch-back dribble after getting down-hill on his defender. Excellent shooter. Multi-sport athlete.
Bryson Lane | 5-8 PG | Olentangy Orange | #105
The future Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishop may not stir fright from opponents during warm-ups, but he can play. Excellent decision-maker on the drive who thrived in Orange’s 3-point-minded attack. He can convert layups through contact against larger guards by jumping into contact and finishing on the way down. Knock-down shooter from distance. Quick, effective defender on the perimeter.
Nik Brannon | 6-4 SF | Olentangy Orange | #114
Brannon is a strong and lean wing who can defend two or three positions and score it. Makes open shots from the outside. Scores on straight-line-drives and is strong enough to deal with bumps from defenders. Brannon plays extremely hard and rebounds in traffic.
Sabien Dootlittle | 6-4 SF | Springfield Catholic Central | #120
Doolittle’s progression – both in skill and athleticism — from junior to senior year has been promising. Nice pull-up jumper slashing to either side. Shows some skill on drives to the basket — uses spin moves and other elusive maneuvers. Doolittle can post-up a mismatch from the mid-post or block. Rebounds well. Strong body.
Jonathan King | 6-6 SF | Buchtel | #121
King is a physical wing that can play the 3 or 4, depending on which level he lands at. Rebounds well and creates second-chance-opportunities often. Capable outside shooter when he has space. Looks to get all the way to the rim when he puts it on the floor but has shown flashes of a mid-range game. Defends well in space for a wing of his size.
Denzel Prince | 6-3 SF | Holland Springfield | #168
Prince’s defensive prowess should land him on a college roster. Long, athletic kid that plays hard. Uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes, both off- and on-ball. Finishes above the rim. Capable outside shooter who passed up on open shots more than you’d like at Springfield.
Jordan Calhoun | 6-1 G | VASJ | #202
Calhoun is a smart combo guard that likes to keep others involved. Drives to pass and uses the bounce pass to fit balls into tight windows. Good outside shooter and team defender. Will need to improve as a finisher.