2019 Rankings Update: Top 20 NE Ohio Prospects
Northeast Ohio’s 2019 class is ridiculously stacked compared to other area’s of the state. Shocker. The no. 20 prospect on this list, Kevin Davet, is no. 57 statewide, which means Northeast Ohio has more than one-third of the top 60!…
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Continue ReadingNortheast Ohio’s 2019 class is ridiculously stacked compared to other area’s of the state. Shocker.
The no. 20 prospect on this list, Kevin Davet, is no. 57 statewide, which means Northeast Ohio has more than one-third of the top 60! Central Ohio — a true hot-bed of basketball recruits — on the other hand, their no. 20 prospect is ranked no. 75.
Jaelyn Withers | 6-8 PF | Cleveland Heights
The future Louisville Cardinal provides a versatile skill-set and next-level athleticism as a 3 or 4. He can both be a defensive presence around the rim with his athleticism and shot-blocking ability, or step out and defend in space. Withers likes to shoot 3-pointers and is pretty good hitting those going to his left. Skilled, physical slasher.
Lunden McDay | 6-3 SG | St. Vincent-St. Mary
McDay is a lean athlete with shut-down defensive ability and a scoring package that should translate to the next level. The Ohio Univ. recruit has an efficient size-up move as a one-on-one scorer. Excellent shooter. Uses his length to contest shots and finish in traffic. Extremely fundamentally-sound.
Devon Grant | 6-1 PG | Lorain
Grant is a dynamic ball-handler who breaks off opponents with incredibly skilled crossovers. Capable of shooting the ball from anywhere on the floor after creating separation. The Miami (OH) commit is one of the very top MAC recruits coming out of Ohio in 2019.
Brison Waller | 6-8 PF | Garfield Heights
Waller will play junior college ball at Northwest Florida State, where he can provide athleticism around the basket and in transition. Dangerous when he gets out on the break and can use his size and bounce to finish at the basket. Capable open-floor ball-handler and spot-up shooter. Lean build. Scores it pretty well over the shoulder. Could become a big-time recruit if he finishes at the rim more aggressively and/or becomes a reliable 3-point shooter.
Andre Harris | 6-3 SG | Brush
Harris’ intrigue as a recruit was on the defensive side of the floor for his first three seasons. While he still remains a force on that end, he has also added layers on offense. Harris is an elusive slasher with a nasty euro-step game. Finishes athletically on lobs and drives. Improved shooter from distance. Plays with emotion. Wright State commit.
Brandon Rush | 6-2 G | Warrensville Heights
Rush, who will play college ball at Fairleigh Dickinson, is a dynamic athlete and volume scorer. Creates separation with step-backs and has the speed to blow-by defenders. Rush is a truly exciting player to watch. Has the lateral quickness and hands to be an impact defender.
Evan Bainbridge | 6-8 PF | Stow
Bainbridge’s recruitment happened in an instant, going from no college interest to committing to Kent State on scholarship in what felt like a matter of weeks. He deserved it, though, given his combination of shooting ability and size. Bainbridge can really shoot it at a high level from distance and has scoring touch over the shoulder to go with it.
Davin Zeigler | 6-2 G | Bendictine
Zeigler is an explosive athlete who was pretty much unguardable at the high school level. Drives hard right or left off of one change of direction. Challenges shot-blockers at the rim. The Bowling Green signee showed promising signs of development as an outside shooter, especially as a senior.
Taevon Pierre-Louis | 6-5 PF | Lorain
Pierre-Louis is expected to play junior college ball following his prep career in Lorain. The power forward can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Uses shot fakes and sheer force to get inside and draw fouls or finish. Very good athlete. Rebounds the ball very well.
Jayson Woodrich | 6-5 SF | Beachwood
Another JUCO recruit, Woodrich is maybe the most talented outside shooter statewide in 2019. He pulls the trigger from NBA-distance with regularity, which is indicative of his unwavering confidence and range. Woodrich can hit off motion or at a stand-still — he simply just needs a little space. Filling out his frame at the JUCO level would help, but Woodrich is a pretty solid athlete.
Tommy Sala | 6-9 PF | Lakewood
Sala will play his college ball at Nova Southeastern, a prestigious Division II basketball power. He possesses an impressive amount of ability on the perimeter for his size. Sala shoots the ball well, makes the right decision when he faces the floor on the perimeter, and can even get to the rim for graceful finishes when there’s an avenue. Also effective around the basket as a skilled finisher, rebounder, and defender.
Kenny Ganley | 6-4 SF | Brecksville-Broadview Heights
Ganley is a high-IQ wing with versatility who plays with an edge. He’s a threat to shoot it from the outside, but Ganley has also proved capable of taking it to the rim and finishing through traffic. Good defender who forces his opponent to convert contested looks.
Mike Bekelja | 6-0 G | Solon
Bekelja was one of the first 2019 prospects to make a college commitment when he chose Fairmont State after his 16U season. He’s a combo guard with dangerous outside shooting ability off the dribble. Bekelja knows how to get to the basket and can finish from tough angles with either hand. Smart basketball player. Very good perimeter defender, too.
Tim Smith | 6-7 SF | Lakewood
Smith is a versatile ball-player who we list as a 3, but really doesn’t have a true position. Offensively, Smith can be a primary or secondary play-maker. He has good court-vision and likes to find open teammates when he attacks the rim. Capable shooter from distance. Then on defense, Smith can blocks shots and rebound because of his size. He defends 4s better than any position, in our opinion. California Univ. of Pennsylvania commit.
DJ Dial | 5-9 PG | Brush
Dial’s offers since October 2018: Urbana, Notre Dame (OH), West Virginia State, Clarion, Lake Erie, Alderson Broaddus — a reflection of his IQ and stellar senior season, where he averaged 9.6 assists. Dial is a high-usage point guard who probes the floor and finds creative ways to deliver drop-down passes. Scores it via the running-floater or outside jumper. Sticks with quick guards on the defensive end.
Zion Kolodynski-Darby | 6-4 SF | Lakewood
Darby is a slender, long athlete that can score it from all levels of the floor. His IQ really stands out. Does a good job of quickly making decisions when he catches it on the wing and scores efficiently. Bothers smaller guards with his length. Darby can score it inside with skill and likes to post-up when he gets a mismatch. Future Fairmont State Falcon.
Trent Williams | 6-0 SG | Solon
Williams has two distinct skills — outside shooting on the catch and perimeter defense. His defensive prowess is best used against opposing point guards, where he can be physical with them and use his quick hands to knock the ball loose. Williams, on the other end, can play both guard spots but will not dribble the air out of the ball if he brings it up.
Jarred Logan | 6-4 SF | Elyria Catholic
According to our rankings, Logan is the 15th-best unsigned senior in the 2019 class. He has a great frame and ability to get to the rim to go with his 3.6 GPA and score of 25 on the ACT. While he was the man for Elyria Catholic, he showed unselfishness in a complimentary role in the summer — knocking down open shots from the outside, rebounding the heck out of the ball, and expending most of his energy on defense. Air Force has offered but, somehow, that’s his only one.
Nigel Martin | 6-4 SF | Cleveland Heights
We loved the development in Martin’s ball skills as a senior. He scored it on the drive with polish and faced up for jumpers from all over the floor this season. Martin does a really outstanding job of using the glass when he finishes in traffic. Rebounds the ball well. Played three years at John Hay before transferring to Cleveland Heights, where he had his best season.
Kevin Davet | 6-9 C | St. Ignatius
Davet is a high-academic recruit who is still a year or two away from his best ball. When that day comes, though, watch out because he is already a problem in the post. His frame is filling out nicely. Comes from a well-coached program at Ignatius. Rebounds well. Becoming quicker from block to block. Good touch inside. If you’re looking for size, Davet is the second-best unsigned senior center in Ohio.