Top 15 Southwest Ohio Rebounders
Rebounding is underrated. Not by coaches, sure. But in this era of $37/hour training sessions, rebounding is just something you pay somebody to do while you work on “your game.” Guess what, though, they’re giving scholarships for kids that get…
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Continue ReadingRebounding is underrated. Not by coaches, sure. But in this era of $37/hour training sessions, rebounding is just something you pay somebody to do while you work on “your game.”
Guess what, though, they’re giving scholarships for kids that get it done on the boards, too. After all, a good defensive possession is worthless unless it’s completed. Conversely, the top rebounders routinely turn an ugly possession into two points with their combination of will and physical power.
Alphabetically, here are our top 15 men of the glass in Southwest Ohio:
Jackson Ames (2020) | 6-10 C | West Clermont
The Miami (OH) commit has rare size. At 6-foot-10, Ames is a strong bodied kid who can simply move opponents with his body. Being in position is a huge part of rebounding, not to mention his standing reach and athleticism.
AJ Braun (2021) | 6-8 C | Fenwick
Braun has obvious size but his hands are equally impressive. Makes tough catches while surrounded by bodies in traffic. Physical kid who can both space the floor or change the game inside. Leading returning rebounder in the GCL-CoEd at 7.8 per game.
Logan Duncomb (2021) | 6-9 C | Moeller
While Duncomb didn’t exactly dominate the glass last season, the young junior has developed since his sophomore season ended. Now with a stronger upper body and more agile feet, Duncomb can track down balls outside of his area and box out more effectively. Fights for position. Promising length.
Anthony Felder (2020) | 6-5 C | Shroder
Felder is a high-motor, athletic big who specializes in rebounding and rim protection. Lean frame. Mobile enough to fly around the court and defend in space. Great second jump. Explosive off the floor. Averaged 10.1 rebounds last season.
Curtis Harrison (2020) | 6-7 PF | Seven Hills
When Harrison isn’t luring opponents away from the basket to set-up his his face-up game, he shows elite physical tools around the basket. Dynamic leaping ability. Skies over opponents in traffic and has pretty good hands. Fast. Projectable frame.
Davion Mace (2020) | 6-7 C | Cincinnati Woodward
Athletic, muscular body and a serious vertical leap. Mace scores many of his points on put-backs alone. His physicality overwhelms opponents when he pursues the ball. Mace averaged 10.7 rebounds last year. His totals should grow with Paul McMillan IV now in the mix, as his matchup will peel off him for a help-side block several times each game.
Mo Njie (2020) | 6-9 C | Centerville
Njie has a massive wingspan, good instincts, some bounce, and he likes to be around the rim. Tracks the ball well. When he’s not able to corral a ball outside of his area, Njie often keeps it alive by tipping it to himself and others.
His rebounding average of 6.4 per game would be higher is he wasn’t such an avid shot-blocker of short- and mid-range jumpers. In other words, he’s pulled away from the basket at times. Plus, who knows if that figure includes the controlled tips?
Shawn Phillips (2022) | 6-10 C | Belmont
Phillips, who received an Ohio State offer this weekend, has prototypical length. The rapidly growing prospect moves on the balls of his feet. Although he’s not a speedster at his size, Phillips’ projects to become a very agile big as his growth settles. Strong. Impacts the game as an outlet passer.
Evan Prater (2020) | 6-5 F | Wyoming
A future quarterback on the Cincinnati Bearcats football team, Prater doubles as one of Ohio’s most talented hoopers. He’s a mobile forward with strong leaping ability. Physical basketball player. Prater averaged 7.5 boards last season.
Rich Rolf (2022) | 6-6 PF | Centerville
With both Njies in the fold at Centerville, Rolf’s number may not reflect his rebounding prowess this season. The sophomore, however, is one of the state’s best at rebounding in traffic. Fluid, spindly athlete who weaves around box-outs and grabs the ball at its highest point. Great second jump that he pairs with constant effort.
Skyler Schmidt (2021) | 6-5 C | Clermont Northeastern
Schmidt averaged an outrageous 16.1 rebounds last season. Then, he proved capable of providing rebounding against elite competition with NEO Tru Game over the summer. He has a strong body and gets great lift off the floor. Out-hustles guys to loose ball rebounds and is willing to fly into the sidelines if that’s what it takes.
Nekhi Smith (2020) | 6-5 F | Taft
A freight train of a forward, Smith shoulders through bodies to get to the ball. His physicality paired with mobility makes him tough to keep away from the basket. Plays hard. Very impressive rebounding number of 12.4 per game last season.
Nic Smith (2020) | 6-6 C | Walnut Hills
Smith has great timing and bounce. He rebounds the ball even when he’s being boxed out because of his quick jump and hands. Scores on put-backs with consistency. Leading returning rebounder in the ECC at 7.3 per game.
Jahiem Thomas (2020) | 6-4 PF/C | Princeton
A four-star linebacker recruit committed to Cincinnati, who knows if Thomas will even play basketball as a senior. Princeton needs his interior presence, though, as they’re as guard-heavy of a roster as you’ll find. Thomas is obviously a premier athlete. He gets off the floor explosively at a muscular 215 pounds. Very quick for his size.
Mark Wise (2020) | 6-4 G | Taft
Wise isn’t just a good rebounder for a guard. He’s a good rebounder, period. Possesses a bulky upper body and plays with the physicality of a post player. Ranked fifth in the CHL last year at 7.4 rebounds per game while playing point guard. Tremendous athlete.