Rankings Update Sneak Peak: New Top Fives
If we were to update Ohio’s Prospect Rankings right now, who would be the new top fives in each class? 2020 No. 1: John Hugley | 6-9 C | Brush / Indy Heat Hugley’s newfound agility when he runs the…
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Continue ReadingIf we were to update Ohio’s Prospect Rankings right now, who would be the new top fives in each class?
2020
No. 1: John Hugley | 6-9 C | Brush / Indy Heat
Hugley’s newfound agility when he runs the floor and tracks down rebounds outside of his area lends itself to the modern game. His power is increasingly complemented by mobility. Clear choice for no. 1 spot.
No. 2: Luke Frazier | 6-4 SG | Lake Catholic / Wildcats Select
Currently no. 7 in 2020, Frazier has emerged as this class’s top guard. The future Dayton Flyer is both crafty and athletic — a combination that manifests itself in a dynamic shot-creator on the wing. Scores the ball from all levels, stays in front of wings, and makes good decisions. Plays on the balls of his feet.
No. 3: Mo Njie | 6-8 C | Centerville
Njie is the top rim protector in Ohio regardless of class. His defensive prowess is a game-changer as his timing and length allows teammates to take chances around the arch, knowing Njie is on the back-end to swat layups. This summer, he has done a better job of pinning under the rim for low-post scoring opportunities.
No. 4: Garvin Clarke | 6-0 PG | Cleveland Heights / All Ohio Red
Clarke combines defensive ability, outside shooting, quickness, and court sense better than any other point guard in Ohio’s 2020 class. He should earn minutes early into his college career because you can rely on him to hit open shots, defend at a high level, and distribute.
No. 5: Josiah Fulcher | 6-2 SG | Lima Senior / C2K Elite
Compared to his peers on the wing, Fulcher flat out shoots it better than the rest of them.Now that he’s caught up to others as a slasher and pull-up shooter, Fulcher’s defensive instincts and outside shooting are separating him. He now holds mid-major offers from across the country heading into July grassroots.
2021
No. 1: Malaki Branham | 6-5 SG | St. Vincent-St. Mary / NEO Tru Game
Branham showed flashes of what was to come at the 2019 State Tournament. But he took the Midwest by storm this spring in a way we didn’t fully anticipate. Where has he improved? Shooting, both from outside and the mid-range. His handle has advanced. Branham’s confidence also seems to be at an all-time high. Defends three or four positions.
No. 2: Kalen Etzler | 6-8 PF | Convoy Crestview / All Ohio Red
Etzler barely moves off the no. 1 spot but he remains a skilled, versatile forward that can stretch the floor and defend multiple spots. He’s progressing as a wing scorer as his ability to shoot over the defense has made for an effective shot fake game. Expect his mid-range and high-post package to be a piece in his arsenal when he enters Ohio State in the summer of 2021.
No. 3: Meechie Johnson | 6-1 G | Garfield Heights
Johnson is sidelined with an ACL injury. He will either return towards the end of his junior season or for his 17U summer.
No. 4: Logan Duncomb | 6-9 C | Moeller / Indiana Elite
Duncomb’s athletic profile has changed. He has added size to his upper body while becoming lighter on his feet. Big Ten programs — Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Iowa — have all offered the young, lengthy center and we can point to a performance at Ohio State’s June team camp as a pivotal moment in his recruitment. It was there that Duncomb ran the floor, hit 3-pointers with confidence, defended in space, blocked shots, and two-stepped across the lane for right hooks — a high-level performance that felt like a glimpse into the future.
No. 5: Seth Wilson | 6-1 PG | Lorain / Ohio Basketball Club
Wilson is a volume scorer with a thick, strong frame and long arms. He shoots the ball with ridiculous range and even hits off the dribble from beyond the extended Division I arch. Wilson’s strength is an asset when he drives to the basket against guards with a low dribble and he’s good at turning the corner when working in the pick-and-roll. Added high-major offers from West Virginia and Penn State in June.
2022
No. 1: Chris Livingston | 6-5 SG | Buchtel / We All Can Go 16U
Ohio’s 2022 class is strong. Early signs even indicate that it’s more talented than 2021 at the top, and their entire top five boasts high-major offers. But even so, no. 1 isn’t a hard decision; Chris Livingston is that nasty. Athletic marvel who can both create shots and make plays for others. Versatile defender. Earned MVP of the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and averaged 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds, per USA Basketball.
No. 2: Sincere Harris | 6-4 PG | St. Vincent-St. Mary / NEO Tru Game 16U
Harris is a quick-twitch, wiry athletic lead guard with upside on both ends of the floor. Covers the whole floor as a transition defender. Truly ambidextrous finisher in traffic with creativity in the lane. He’s been working on his outside shooting ability off the bounce in June. It will be interesting to watch Harris hone his craft at St. Vincent-St. Mary after transferring from North Canton Hoover.
No. 3: Paul McMillan IV | 6-1 PG | Cincinnati Woodward / Team Manimal 17U
McMillan is neck and neck with Harris for the top point guard spot in 2022. His poise and decision making ability is complimented by the fact that he can get anywhere on the court with a live dribble. Shut down defender at the point of attack with his lateral quickness.
No. 4: Shawn Phillips | 6-10 C | Belmont / Team Flyght
Phillips has sprouted up to 6-foot-10 in the last 12 months and is figuring out how to dominate from the inside. Blocks shots, plays on his toes, and can score it over the shoulder. Possesses a plethora of physical tools.
No. 5: Sean Jones | 5-9 PG | Gahanna / All Ohio Red
Jones’s poise, decision-making, and efficiency separate him from the guards who are trailing him in the rankings. Central Ohio’s top 2022 prospect is also a lock-down presence at the point of attack. Finishes with either hand in crafty ways, scores it from the mid-range, and competes. Another couple inches in height would vault him to the high-major level but he’s going to maximize everything he’s given either way.
A long list of forwards hardly missed the 2022 cut — Kebba Njie, Mike Sharavjamts, AJ Clayton, and Josiah Harris.