Run N Slam: Top 2023s
This past weekend, some of the Midwest’s top Shoe teams and Independent programs gathered in Fort Wayne for the Bill Hensley Run N Slam tournament. Many of Ohio’s top shoe circuit teams were in attendance as were some of the…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend, some of the Midwest’s top Shoe teams and Independent programs gathered in Fort Wayne for the Bill Hensley Run N Slam tournament. Many of Ohio’s top shoe circuit teams were in attendance as were some of the top non-shoe teams. My first recap piece will be on the 2023 class and the top performers.
Devin Royal Devin Royal 6'6" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State #49 Nation OH Pickerington Central (All-Ohio Red)
Royal continues to dominate the AAU scene and draw offers from multiple HM programs. Royal simply put is plain talented. He has a powerful and physical frame and has the college body at 6-foot-7. Royal has quieter athleticism and doesn’t look like a guy that will throw down a windmill dunk at first glance. But he will.
Dayjuan Anderson Ponitz (All-Ohio Red)
Anderson brings a unique skillset to the floor when he comes off the bench. Anderson is an active defender and specifically caught my eye with his defensive awareness and ball-hawking. Utilizes his athleticism and bounce on skip passes and showed tenacity as an on-ball defender. Moved well laterally cutting off driving lanes and showing his hands to avoid hand-check fouls.
Carson Browne Carson Browne 6'8" | C Elder | 2023 State OH Elder ( Mid Ohio Pumas -Gold)
Browne was in a different role as the 6-foot-9 PF was playing more on the perimeter for the Pumas vs in the post with Elder. Browne appears to be leaner than when I saw him in the Winter with more confidence putting the ball on the floor. Browne didn’t jump off the page as a scorer, but seemed to play his role with the Pumas. My concern with him is his decision making with the ball on the perimeter, a trait that can be fixed.
Bede Lori Bede Lori 6'2" | SG Caldwell | 2023 State OH Caldwell ( Mid Ohio Pumas -Gold)
Lori now acts as the Pumas’ top scorers after spending the last few years with C2K Elite. Lori now stands 6-foot-4 and is still a deadly shooter on the perimeter. Very much excels in a catch-and-shoot situations and overall is a scary scoring threat when he’s on the floor. Dangerous free throw shooter and draws fouls.
Chase Walker Chase Walker 6'8" | C St. Charles | 2023 State OH St. Charles (Nova Village-UA Rise)
I got my first in-person look at Walker in a highly anticipated matchup with Ohio State commit Austin Parks Austin Parks 6'9" | C St. Mary's Memorial | 2023 State #166 Nation OH . Walker impressed with his movement and versatility for a big man. At 6-foot-8 roughly 275 lbs, Walker has an enormous frame but really knows how to utilize it. Good post mechanics and postups. Walker has shown on film an ability to step out around 15 feet + and knock down shots. This makes him one of the more dangerous PFs in Ohio’s 2023 class.
Ryan Nutter Ryan Nutter 6'3" | PG Dublin Jerome | 2023 State OH Dublin Jerome (Nova Village-UA Rise)
Nutter is a fierce competitor that involves himself on both ends of the floor. I especially was impressed with his offensive game. Nice tight handle of the ball and a floor general. Nutter has a polished up-and-under when attacking the paint and although smaller, has a nice IQ of how to attack a bigger defender. Nutter should be a target for D2s across the state looking for a PG.
Solomon Callaghan Solomon Callaghan 6'0" | PG Wadsworth | 2023 State OH Wadsworth (Ohio Buckets-Turf)
This weekend also served as my first opportunity in person to see Callaghan for a nice Ohio Buckets group. The lefty guard has great court vision, especially in the half court setting. While he’s known to be Wadsworth’s primary scorer, Callaghan looked comfortable sharing the basketball with the multiple offensive weapons he has on the Buckets team. Shot selection was not great but can get shots up from different spots.