2020 Rankings Update: Top 20 NW Ohio Prospects
Toledo’s crop of 2020 talent is the first thing folks think of when discussing this class in Northwest Ohio. Although the rural areas of Northwest Ohio aren’t as deep in 2020, there are plenty of prospects to keep an eye on scattered across this corner of the state.
Zeb Jackson | 6-3 G | Maumee Valley
Jackson’s ability to shoot the ball from distance — more specifically, the way in which he gets those shots — is special. The lightning quick ball-handler probes the 3-point arch, posing the threat of shooting or darting in either direction for a pull-up. Profoundly fluid athlete who slivers around screens on defense and in the pick-and-roll. Jackson has steadily become more physical and it feels like he’s close to becoming an elite finisher, too.
Josiah Fulcher Josiah Fulcher 6'2" | SG Lima Senior | 2020 State #342 Nation OH | 6-2 SG | Lima Senior
Fulcher excelled in his first season at Lima Senior, seemingly taking a leap athletically. His ability around the rim as a rebounder and finisher have taken a step forward. Very sound defensive player with a wide stance, heart, and good instincts. Scores the ball efficiently in the half-court.
Joey Holifield Joey Holifield 6'2" | PG Cardinal Stritch | 2020 State OH | 6-2 PG | Cardinal Stritch
Holifield combines foot-work and strength as a finisher. Strong upper body and intelligent use of ball-fakes and step-throughs against small guards. Holifield also scores on straight-line drives with euro steps and spin moves. He defends multiple positions well because of his quickness and power. Hope to see him confidently shoot the ball from distance this grassroots season.
DaSean Nelson | 6-6 PF | Rogers
Nelson continued to blossom, in terms of skill and athleticism in year three. The lanky forward is a powerful, explosive leaper who tracks down rebounds all over the floor. Continues to add skill to his game in the mid-post. Major defensive presence as a shot-blocker who can also cover in space. His shooting ability is still under development.
Hayden Stone Hayden Stone 6'8" | C Carey | 2020 State OH | 6-8 C | Carey
Stone will look to build on a strong junior year and breakout 16U spring these next few months. A strong and defensive-minded big man, Stone combines his gifts with toughness. Sees the floor well on post-ups and is a willing passer. He can score it over the shoulder. Pretty solid at defending in space for someone of his size.
Mason Loeffler Mason Loeffler 6'4" | SG Evergreen | 2020 State OH | 6-3 SG | Evergreen
After missing last spring with an injury, Loeffler has returned to full-strength and is back to getting buckets efficiently. Capable of scoring 20 points very quietly — his baskets come within the offensive flow. He can knock down open shots and uses shot fakes to get into the second level for pull-ups. Definitely has the requisite athleticism for D-II ball. Loeffler also shows mid-post scoring ability against smaller guards.
Jamir Simpson Jamir Simpson 6'5" | PF Lima Senior | 2020 State OH | 6-5 PF | Lima Senior
Simpson — who was mentioned yesterday as a Stock-Riser – is a scoring machine inside the paint. Elusive and quick in tight spaces. Finishes with a soft touch, even through contact. Becoming more of an impact defender and finishing put-backs inside are two areas we will watch closely in his 17U season.
Cameron McCreary Cameron McCreary 5'11" | PG Upper Sandusky | 2020 State OH | 5-11 PG | Upper Sandusky
McCreary is a pass-first point guard with a real gift for seeing the floor. Finds open shooters and forwards when he attacks the rim and makes the defense pay for helping over. Great use of the jab step and knows how to use a ball screen. His shooting release continues to become quicker and he’s always been pretty good when he has time to shoot it. Communicates well on defense and knows how to switch.
Jackson Sizemore Jackson Sizemore 6'8" | C Perrysburg | 2020 State OH | 6-8 C | Perrysburg
Sizemore, another Stock-Riser, carried Perrysburg to the district championship as their go-to scorer and defensive anchor. Along with the skills and tools we mentioned yesterday, Sizemore also impresses with his leadership skills in the high school season. He’s really good when playing confidently.
Ketaan Wyatt Ketaan Wyatt 6'3" | PG Rogers | 2020 State OH | 6-3 PG | Rogers
Wyatt is a slender, lanky floor general with great patience and an ever-improving jumper. Makes the right pass when he gets into the lane. Creative finisher at the basket, usually avoiding shot-blockers. Shoots it pretty well after coming off of an off-ball screen. Has the length and quickness to be a lock-down defender and shows flashes of doing just that.
Caleb Smith Caleb Smith 6'4" | SG Start | 2020 State OH | 6-4 SF | Toledo St. John’s
Smith’s second half of the season with the Titans went pretty darn well. He showed an ability to create shots efficiently, often just squaring up for a jumper. Looked comfortable in their motion offense, showing off a new level of IQ. Smith scores the ball in unorthodox ways around the basket, often using the backboard on finishes.
Dante’ Wheeler Dante’ Wheeler 6'7" | PF Lima Senior | 2020 State OH | 6-6 PF | Elida
It appears Wheeler returned to form as a junior at Elida after dealing with a host of injuries these past two years. Wheeler scores the ball in a variety of ways. Nice shooting stroke for a 6-foot-6 kid. He can put it on the floor and get into his post-up game that way. Good shooter in the mid-range. Overall, Wheeler just has a lot of skill. If his knees allow him to stay healthy and play with mobility, he could fly way up the charts soon.
Jonzell Norrils | 6-0 PG | Toledo Central Catholic
A two-sport (football) athlete from Central, Norrils is a physical slasher with a knack for finishing through contact. Seeks contact at the rim. Likes to push the ball in transition. Norrils has a good command for the court. Fast athlete.
Tahj Staveskie Tahj Staveskie 6'0" | PG Sandusky | 2020 State OH | 6-0 PG | Sandusky
A smooth slasher with elite passing ability and an off-the-dribble shooting game, Staveskie is one summer away from really blowing up. Didn’t play much 16U ball because of an injury but was very solid for Sandusky in the winter. Slight of frame but a quick athlete with a dynamic handle. Thrives in the open floor and in the pick-and-roll. Smart use of the floater.
Isaiah Alsip Isaiah Alsip 6'0" | SG Galion | 2020 State OH | 6-0 G | Galion
Alsip has superb athleticism, the All-State football player is just as good on the hardwood. Next level handles, combined with crafty finishing ability, and a sharpshooter from all over are the components of Alsip’s game. Quick hands and instincts, the junior is often in transition off a forced turnover. Also, works well on and off-ball. –Brandon Little
Cameron Awls Cameron Awls 5'11" | PG Toledo Central Catholic | 2020 State OH | 5-11 G | Toledo Central Catholic
Awls is both a fundamentally sound, high-IQ offensive weapon and a defensive stopper against point guards. He beats ball-handlers to the spot and has extraordinarily quick hands to poke the ball out. Capable outside shooter who likes to get into the lane and use ball-fakes to score tough buckets after a jump stop.
Luke Denecker | 6-1 PG | Bluffton
Denecker is a terrific outside shooting specialist who (yes, you guessed it) is playing spring and summer ball after missing the last few with an injury. Put up big numbers for Bluffton this season as a scorer and does a good job of staying active without the basketball.
Josh Crall Josh Crall 6'1" | SG Wynford | 2020 State OH | 6-1 G | Wynford
Crall averaged 26.1 points in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, scoring it from all three levels of the floor. Very good outside shooter who is capable of stroking it off the dribble. Crall isn’t an explosive athlete but he knows how to finish inside, too.
Jordan Fenner | 6-0 PG | Colonel Crawford
Fenner changes speeds to get into the lane and create shots for his team. Good feel for the game and passing ability. Capable outside shooter.
Elijah Kimmons Elijah Kimmons 6'4" | SF Holland Springfield | 2020 State OH | 6-3 SF | Toledo St. John’s
Kimmons is an athlete who is some ball skills and a jumper away from being very interesting as a recruit. Finishes with explosiveness and defends both forward spots pretty well. Looks the part athletically.