photos: Matthew Cletus Photography Division II, III, and NAIA programs are actively pouring resources into building out their 2020 class. Don’t be fooled thinking it’s too late to be noticed! Believe it or not, this is actually the perfect…
Division II, III, and NAIA programs are actively pouring resources into building out their 2020 class. Don’t be fooled thinking it’s too late to be noticed! Believe it or not, this is actually the perfect time to emerge.
Showcases, like Flyin’ to the Hoop, are an excellent opportunity to make an impression that could swing your recruitment. Plenty of 2020s did just that Saturday, which became the theme of the day.
Kaveon Ross (2020) | 6-5 PF | Walnut Ridge
stats: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Ross took advantage of the spotlight. Legitimate Division II prospect who combines skill, power, and a motor. He made four 3-pointers, which is becoming a strength of his game. Physical inside presence who can finish in a congested paint and defend opposing bigs. Pretty good ball skills in terms of passing and being able to put it on the floor. Although concerns may circle about Ross being too undersized to play inside at the Division II level, he has enough burst and raw strength to make up for it.
Qian Magwood (2020) | 6-1 PG | Walnut Ridge
stats: 9 assists, 5 rebounds
Magwood may have been Walnut Ridge’s most valuable player despite scoring zero points. First of all, he shut-down Cincinnati Woodward star Paul McMillan for three quarters (both teams’ defenses relaxed in the fourth). Ballhawk in passing lanes. Stays wide in his defensive stance. One of Ohio’s top point-of-attack defenders.
The unsigned two-sport prospect (football) wants to feed the post. He knows his personnel and occasionally threads the needle from the top of the key. Good vision.
VonCameron Davis (2020) | 6-5 SF | Walnut Ridge
stats: 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Davis routinely gets deep in the paint, where he can finish or make passes that burn a collapsed defense. The lefty made it look ridiculously easy in the paint. Kent State signee.
Myles Garrett (2021) | 6-3 SG | Walnut Ridge
stats: 13 points, 3 rebounds
Garrett is another guy who can create his own shot. Slasher who showed ability to breakdown a defender. Strong body. Elusive footwork on finishes. Made a few good kick-out passes. Another defender who pestered McMillan.
Williams Burns (2020) | 6-5 C | Cincinnati Woodward
stats: 7 points, 6 rebounds
Burns possesses a great frame, footwork in the post, and a good touch. Executed impressive step-throughs and turns over the shoulder for high-percentage shots. Rebounds with power despite not being an explosive athlete. Burns’ stroke from the free throw line looked good.
stats: 20 points, 6 rebounds
The smooth 6-foot-7 playmaker wowed with a few impressive blocked shots and rebounds. At times he was disruptive in passing lanes. Handles and shoots the ball like a true wing while having the tools to defend the basket. Extremely fluid.
Jalen Knott (2021) | 6-1 SG | Lutheran East
stats: 15 points, 4 rebounds
Knott made a huge impact off the bench. The junior has a defensive presence on the perimeter, using his long arms and athleticism to guard. Drew a charge, too, which speaks to his effort. Finished in traffic. Nailed a couple of 3-pointers. Capable handle.
BJ Busbee (2021) | 6-2 SG | Lutheran East
stats: 17 points, 2 rebounds
It was good to Busbee in a larger role after he played seldom in their opening weekend game at the Great Lakes Classic. He’s the best shooter on the team, an important dynamic against this Alter team who plays zone. Snuck into the corner for a few open triples. Smartly settled into the mid-range for mid-range jumpers, too. Looks more toned.
Collin Albert (2021) | 6-0 PG | Lutheran East
stats: 5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Albert is dangerous when he probes in the paint. Uses a quick first step to beat the initial defender. From there, he can deliver touch shots and dimes to the block or perimeter. Becoming a consistent shooter from distance.
Jack Smith (2020) | 6-3 SG | Alter
stats: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Smith hit five 3-point shots, one of which was in motion on a handoff. His mid-range jumper on the catch was also effective. He doesn’t need the ball much to be effective, given that most of his scores are directly after receiving a pass. Active without the ball. Strong kid. Chases rebounds. Solid passer.
Ultimately, Smith is someone who would earn minutes at a Division III program because of shot-making and effort.
Jerry Saunders (2022) | 6-0 SG | Pickerington North
stats: 19 points
Saunders has a great skill-set headlined by his pure jump shot. He swished a few jumpers Saturday. But, his finishes over shot-blockers were actually more impressive. He converted tough tear-drops and layups after being bumped in the air.
Saunders’ role is to score it but we believe he will develop into more of a playmaking point guard. He flashes a good feel.
Hunter Shedenhelm (2020) | 6-5 SF | Pickerington North
stats: 14 points, 4 rebounds
Shedenhelm — a known shooter with an efficient scoring package — scored the ball with multi-dribble moves, which is pretty new. Milton crowded him on the catch, forcing him to score off the bounce. He made tough moves changing direction. Impact defender, too, chasing opponents around screens. His length and light feet are an asset on that end. Future Ashland Eagle.
Montorie Foster (2020) | 6-1 PG | St. Edward
stats: 19 points, 7 rebounds
Forget the stats and skills and all that. Foster was clutch. He was confident. His presence was the difference. Confidently stepped into a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game. Later, he would hit consecutive triples in the fourth to provide a cushion, prompting a timeout from Huntington Prep.
The Michigan State football signee was clearly athletic enough to hang with the prep school. He rebounded in traffic, showing how quick he is off the floor. Dynamic ball-handler who separated with crowd-pleasing crossovers.
Devontae Blanton (2020) | 6-6 SF | St. Edward
stats: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Blanton combines size with skill better than any other unsigned wing in Ohio. He made open 3-pointers and occasionally went inside for a crafty finish. Breaks down defenders with short, choppy steps and nifty ball-handling. Creates shots for himself and others when he’s in the second level. Blanton also rebounded in traffic. Contained high-major wings on defense, forcing them to hit tough pull-ups and contested layups.
Michael Bova (2022) | 6-1 PG | St. Edward
stats; 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Bova looked good handling point guard duties when Huffman rested. Consistently set-up 3-point shooters for an open shot. Handled pressure. Scored on a few leak-outs and transition opportunities. Energetic defender who can pressure.
Zachary Chatmon (2020) | 6-5 C | St. Edward
stats: 8 points, 3 rebounds
Using a strong low center of gravity, Chatmon was a different look for Huntington Prep’s athletic bigs. He was able to move them on box-outs, ultimately keeping them away from the glass. The unsigned senior has a nice offensive package, too. Impressive footwork and scoring touch. He can step away for a jumper. Makes good decisions when he catches in a spot that he won’t score from. Late-bloomer for Diviison III programs looking for size. Altough he doesn’t have prototypical height or athleticism, Chatmon is a thick kid with power.
Lawrent Rice (2023) | 6-3 G | Wayne
stats: 6 points
Rice has been quickly regarded as one of the best handful of freshmen in Ohio. So, we were excited about this game. He proved to be an instinctual player with a shifty handle. Boatload of potential considering his wiry, raw frame and athleticism. Rice displayed a creative mid-range game with a few unconventional finishes — a deep floater and up-and-under contorted finish. He has vision and a mature skill-set.
Malcolm Curry (2021) | 6-1 SG | Wayne
stats: 15 points
Curry can score the rock. He has a very good handle to go with a strong frame and finishing ability. Uses his body well at the rim. Made several impressive passes with a live dribble.
Elijah Brown (2022) | 6-5 PF | Wayne
stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds
Physically … whoa. Brown is one of the most imposing forces we’ve seen in the sophomore class. He is a 6-foot-5 220-pound power forward with Division I interest as a tight end in football. On the hardwood, he provides a strong interior defensive presence. Plus shooter.