Prospect Rankings Update: Northwest Ohio 2018 Stock-Risers
Here, we’ll catch you up on which 2018 prospects from northwest Ohio jumped in our Prospect Rankings and why that is. It’s really that simple.
#8 → #5 Vincent Williams, 6’4 hybrid, Toledo St. John’s / All Ohio Red EYBL
Williams was one of the most efficient players in the EYBL this spring. He also led All Ohio Red in rebounds during EYBL play, which should answer questions about his size. Later in the spring, he reportedly had a dominating performance against Pete Nance and the Akron Bobcats at the Nike Summer Championships.
He’s received nine scholarship offers since the last update in early April. Yet the story with Williams seems to revolve around which offers he hasn’t received. Why hasn’t he received anything from the Big Ten? Or the Big East?
It’s hard to say for certain, but what we know is that he dominated at the very highest level of grassroots basketball this spring/summer, so he’s moved up three spots in our rankings.
#6 → #6 Justin Ahrens, 6’5 G, Versailles / C2K Elite
Yes, Ahrens stayed put at #6. But his stock still jumped. In order to maintain your spot amongst Ohio’s top eight, you have to show development. Ahrens did just that by having splashing home jumpers and showing an extra level of explosiveness near the rim.
The bucket-getter from Versailles recently cut his list down to six programs, including Ohio State, which he was once verbally committed. Dayton, Xavier, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Purdue also made the list of finalists.
#16 → #11 Austin Rotroff, 6’9 F/C, Wauseon / Ohio Basketball Club
Playing on the adidas Gauntlet was significant for Rotroff. He played with NWO Hoops the previous summer, and the circuit is a much better measuring stick for someone of his talent level.
As a result of increased exposure, Rotroff’s offer sheet jumped from two programs to 16.
Rotroff also saw a significant boost in stock during last update, as he took Wauseon to the D-II State Championship. His recruitment has been a result of getting in front of eyeballs, as Rotroff’s skill has been evident for some time now.
#21 → #15 Houston King, 6’4 G, Toledo St. John’s / C2K Elite
King is a three-level scorer who seems to be more consistent than ever. After about 10 months of no offers coming in between July and September 2016, King’s recruitment popped. He received offers from Georgetown and Central Michigan late last month, after putting on a couple shows for C2K during the Live Period.
#116 → #77 Drew Johnson, 6’4 W, Pandora-Gilboa / Northwest Ohio Basketball Club
Johnson received the largest leap in our rankings of anyone in the region. His scoring ability from the wing, especially as a shooter, was the most threatening component of NWO Club’s offensive attack this season.
As a result, Johnson has received offers from Concordia (MI) and Goshen this month.
#154 → 112 Ryan Christie, 5’10 PG, Toledo St. John’s / NWO Hoops
One of the benefits of transferring from Toledo Central Catholic to Toledo St. John’s is that Christie will likely play in front of more colleges, even if it’s just at practices, open gyms, and summer shoot-outs.
Christie picked up his first scholarship offer from Urbana this summer.
#140 → #115 Jaiden Woodley, 6’6 F/C, Maumee Valley Country Day / ISG-Hidden Gems
Woodley’s raw athleticism makes for one of the most interesting forward prospects in Ohio. He scored efficiently in our viewing of him with ISG and at the Northern Ohio Elite (NOE) Showcase in July.
Woodley’s improved ball-skills resulted in an offer from Central State.