2019-20 Season Breakout Candidates

Of the guys who weren't in the limelight a year ago, who has a chance to fulfill a starring role this season? CLASS OF 2020 SENIORS Michael Currin | 6-2 SG | Moeller Currin will go from spot minutes to a starting role. Playing underneath the spotlight that Moeller basketball demands will allow Currin to prove himself to colleges and scouts. His size and muscular frame are intriguing at the guard spot. Meanwhile, his savvy decision-making, spot shooting, and ball-security should appeal to a number of college programs. Brandon Gibson | 6-4 SF | Chaminade Julienne Gibson has ideal size for a wing at the NAIA and, maybe even, Division II levels. He combines a physical body with an efficient slashing style that doesn't deviate from the flow of a possession. Gibson uses his athleticism to defend the perimeter and help out on the boards. Improving shooter with one offer from Mount Vernon Nazarene and intriguing potential. Grant Hartnett | 5-9 PG | Northview A substitute for last season's undefeated senior-laden Northview team, Hartnett will now be responsible for running the offense. Given the opportunity and his ability to shoot it, his scoring numbers should sky-rocket. The speedy guard can also find quick buckets in transition for a team that might be better than some expect.  Devyn Jones | 6-5 SG | Cardinal Stritch Jones, a Concordia signee, was wildly impressive at the Toledo Top 64 event in September. This year will be his first on varsity and he figures to play a major role for Stritch, a team I believe will repeat as regional champions in Division III. The wiry, thin shot-creator will be dangerous in a secondary scorer role alongside Oakland recruit Joey Holifield. Jones will be afforded one-on-one opportunities on the wing where his elusive ball-handling and size is an issue. Gets to the free throw line. Effective in transition. TaVaz Lawler-Showers | 5-11 PG | Start Who?  From a statewide perspective, Lawler-Showers is borderline unheard-of outside of Toledo. He should make a name for himself as an electrifying scorer on one of the area's top Division I teams. The lefty is dynamic with the ball and can score it from distance in several ways. Jadakis Mack | 6-4 SG | Lima Senior Mack is the most under-recruited senior in Ohio. At around 6-foot-4, the wing possesses explosive athleticism both in terms of speed and leaping ability. Still with room to improve, Mack already shows flashes of making clever kick-out passes after the defense collapses. His jumper is improving rapidly; and even if he doesn't shoot it well enough today, Mack has in-your-shorts defensive ability catered to limiting the other team's top shooter. His athleticism would be elite even at the Division II collegiate level. Mack's physical profile is comparable to Myles Belyeu, a 2018 Trotwood graduate who earned 2nd Team All-GLIAC honors as a freshman at Saginaw Valley State. And the kid at Lima would probably out-leap Belyeu as far as verticality. Keaton Turner | 6-0 PG | Coffman Turner's shot-creation ability off the dribble should lead to a massive senior season. The void left by Coffman's 2019 class and transfer Dom Penn — leading to high "usage" for Turner — doesn't hurt either. Regardless, Turner's ability to create separation and shoot off the dribble from many angles is rare. Not only do we anticipate Turner's numbers to spike, but we'd also be surprised if he leaves senior year without a scholarship offer.  Zachary Szul | 6-3 PG | Anthony Wayne If momentum from the late-summer and fall carries into the winter for Szul, he will make noise early and often for the Anthony Wayne Generals. He is a big and crafty guard with an ideal build for the next level. His rapid improvement should intrigue college scouts looking for a versatile guard — Szul thrives with and without the ball. Draws fouls often. He should be a mismatch on a nightly basis in the Northern Lakes League.    CLASS OF 2021 JUNIORS Tasos Cook | 6-2 SG | Westerville Central Whether it's this season in a loaded Westerville Central backcourt or as a 17U grassroots player, we expect coaches to be buzzing about Cook in the next 12 months. His size, athleticism, and shooting ability check the boxes. He can create shots efficiently and shoots pull-ups with great lift.  Shane Garcia | 6-5 SF | Toledo St. John's Garcia continues to grow in terms of height and size. Importantly, for the first time, he will be relied on to score the ball at the varsity level this season. If he consistently knocks down shots and crashes the glass like he's been doing recently, he should come into his 17U grassroots season with momentum from junior year. Clever passer. Cliron Hornbeak | 6-9 C | Toledo St. Francis We may be a bit ahead of schedule by calling the 16-year-old Hornbeak a 2019-20 Season Breakout Candidate. Meaning, it might not happen for another year. Yet, he should come into his varsity debut tonight with confidence after a strong fall. His size is unmatched in the TRAC and he doesn't appear to be done growing. Simultaneously, his post moves and mid-range jumper are smoothening out. Provides a defensive presence at the rim. Keaton Norris | 5-10 PG | Bradley Norris is a true joy to watch for basketball purists. He shoots the ball with flawless mechanics and can knock it down with range. He takes care of the ball even when he's outmatched physically, making clever decisions under pressure. He could be one of Bradley's top scorers this season given his ability to put up points three at a time. Love his upside as a point guard. Darius Parham | 6-2 SG | Ready Parham is simply much better than he was last season. His talent demands a major role in any offense. We expect Ready to run a lot of their actions through Parham, who can score from multiple levels and can make something happen against stingy defense. One of the state's top Division II recruits in this class, even if he doesn't have prototypical height. Henry Raynor | 6-6 PF | St. Ignatius Raynor was no slouch last season, averaging 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds, according to Cleveland.com. His ceiling as a versatile face-up forward, though, spans much higher than those numbers. Raynor is truly one of the most skilled 6-foot-6 forwards I've watched. He can shoot it off the bounce, finish ambidextrously in traffic, is a dexterous athlete, and just knows how to play. Ignatius's style may never lend itself to him taking shot after shot after shot, but this could be the year he reaches 15 points per game.  Stefan Stanic | 6-5 SF | Normandy Stanic will be a household name in recruiting circles. It's only a matter of time. The 6-foot-5 wing plays the game like a lacrosse player. His physicality and energy are overwhelming. Yet, Stanic surprises with his skill, too. Able to put it on the floor and make a crossover to get inside. He can shoot it. Relentless rebounder. Has the tools and energy to be a defensive standout.   CLASS OF 2022 SOPHOMORES Aboubacar Cisse | 6-4 SF | Western Hills Cisse plays with the physicality of an upperclassman. He should have no problem taking on a more sizable role after Montev Ware transferred to Woodward. Playing with a spaced floor, he will overpower opponents going to the basket both with sheer force and crafty spin moves.  Jacob Conner | 6-6 SF | Alter Conner will be thrust into a major role in his first year on varsity. The lanky 6-foot-6 wing has the ball-handling ability and size to fill a number of roles. He will be one of their top playmakers and outside shooters at that height. Conner was seen playing a lot of point guard for Alter this summer, a role he impressed in. Lot of room to grow physically. Dayvion McDonald | 6-6 PF | Coffman McDonald may not even play a full season. But the physical tools — high hips and athleticism — that he possesses should place him into the spotlight going forward. One of the most intriguing forwards in Central Ohio who will be groomed in a storied Coffman program. Plays with effort and confidence. Kebba Njie | 6-7 PF | Centerville Njie isn't unknown. But he hardly played varsity ball last season. As a sophomore, however, he figures to be a pivotal member of Centerville's secondary lineups. Off the bench, Njie will allow them to go super-sized in the frontcourt. Or he can provide shot-blocking defensive anchor when his brother Mo Njie steps out, allowing Centerville to maintain leads with their best player off the floor. Plus, his ball skills are very impressive for a young 6-foot-7 forward. Javan Simmons | 6-5 C | Gahanna Simmons, a Hartley transfer, could be close to the top of the Central Ohio rebounding leaderboard. He's a forceful big man with a strong frame that he's not afraid to throw around. Active rebounder who jumps through opponents to go get the rock. The lefty also displays a nice touch on finishes.