2021 Rankings Update: Top 10 Point & Combo Guards
This position group is right up there with small forward as the most talented in 2021. Not only do we have two top ten players with high-major offers in Meechie Johnson and Seth Wilson, there are several other D-I and…
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Continue ReadingThis position group is right up there with small forward as the most talented in 2021.
Not only do we have two top ten players with high-major offers in Meechie Johnson and Seth Wilson, there are several other D-I and elite D-II prospects who impact the game in a number of ways.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OHIO’S 2021 PROSPECT RANKINGS
[no. 3] Meechie Johnson | 6-1 G | Garfield Heights
After what was a pivotal summer for the top crop of Ohio’s 2021 prospects, it was frankly challenging to rank Johnson, who remains sidelined with a torn ACL. It raised a philosophical question on how to place injured players. What’s our policy? We came to the conclusion that Johnson was a high-major prospect before injury, so he will remain in the same spot unless someone — like new no. 1 prospect Malaki Branham — blows up in an undeniable fashion.
This may remain relevant for a while, by the way. Johnson told Prep Hoops in late-June that he will not rush his recovery process and may not return at all in the high school season.
[no. 7] Seth Wilson | 6-1 PG | Lorain / Ohio Basketball Club
The St. Vincent-St. Mary transfer is a strong guard with collegiate 3-point shooting range and a bruising slashing style. Very talented shooter and shot-creator in one-on-one situations. Wilson drills contested shots and blends power with quickness to separate. Plays with pace on pick-and-rolls. Especially effective scoring from the top of the key or corner. Confident. On defense, he makes opponents uncomfortable with his length and pressure. Plus rebounder.
Bradley, Ohio, Penn State, UC Davis, Valparaiso, West Virginia, and Youngstown State offered this summer.
[no. 14] Nate Johnson | 6-2 PG | Lakota East / Team Flyght
Physically impressive guard who paces a team with patience. Flashes brilliant athleticism and power around the rim. Shoots it well in the deep mid-range on one-dribble pull-ups. Explosive athlete. Impact defender at every spot on the perimeter. Provides rebounding and versatility on D.
Miami (OH) and Ohio offered.
[no. 16] Kobe Johnson | 6-2 G | Canton McKinley / All Ohio Red
Powerful slasher and facilitator with a bulky and lengthy frame. Johnson has become more explosive — greater burst as a finisher and his change of pace with the ball is more dynamic. Finishes in traffic and enjoys contact. Very effective in the open floor. Versatile on defense.
Akron, Ohio, and Youngstown State offered this summer.
[no. 18] Corey Tripp | 6-1 G | Medina / SMAC Akron
Skilled, fundamentally-sound combo guard with a creative mid-range package. Scores it efficiently off the bounce. Tripp can really shoot the ball at a high level and finish in traffic. Compact, thick build yet Tripp is also quick. Plays with a high motor and good instincts on both ends.
Bowling Green offered.
[no. 24] Jaden Hameed | 5-11 PG | VASJ / C2K Elite
Hameed is a heady floor general with an impressive feel for the game and understanding of time and score. Compact build. Quick defender with a low stance who forces guys to pick up their dribble. Scores it through contact in the paint while also capable of making contested 3-pointers.
[no. 29] Jalen Sullinger | 5-9 PG | Thomas Worthington / All Ohio Red
Dynamic creator with an aggressive approach to scoring the ball. Sullinger has a deep reservoir of moves to create separation. Scores many of his points on creative short mid-range pull-ups and floaters. His range extends beyond the arch, too.
Ohio offered.
[no. 33] AJ Mirgon | 5-11 PG | Bradley / Mid Ohio Pumas (Norris)
Mirgon is athletic, competitive, well-coached, and smart. Tireless on both ends of the floor. Effective off the ball and attacks the close-out as well as anyone. Good decision-maker. Mirgon is rarely out of position on defense and is always engaged. Shot it from 3 exceptionally all spring and summer. Two-sport prospect (football).
[no. 36] Ben Knostman | 6-3 PG | Tippecanoe / Mid Ohio Pumas (Gilliland)
Knostman had as impressive of a final weekend to the grassroots season as anyone. He was reportedly equally as successful the weekend prior in Columbus.
Passing and court sense are Knostman’s calling card, not to mention his height. Very instinctual drop-down passes in traffic. Doesn’t play like a robot. Finds shooters, too, although he more typically passes to forwards. Uses the spin move a lot. Ambidextrous finisher.
[no. 37] Jonah Waag | 6-2 G | VASJ / TNBA Ohio
Waag is an earnest slasher who likes to push pace off the defensive glass. Down-hill attacker. Wants to get out and go in the open floor constantly. Continuing to add changes of pace to his game. Good positional size for a lead guard. Flashes shooting ability from outside. Aggressively seeks opportunities to steal the ball on defense.