On the Verge: 2019 Forwards
Offer season is just getting started as college programs will be around the country in full force over the coming three Live Period weekends. In preparation, we’ve put together a couple On the Verge pieces to give you the low-down on players who could have a big month ahead but didn’t necessarily peak in the spring.
Couple things to keep in mind as you scroll through the details: These players are in no particular order. Not every line is specific, as we didn’t obtain every answer for each player. And, yep, that’s about it.
Jackie Harris, 6’6” F, All Ohio Gold / Toledo St. Francis
- Tournament schedule: Ballin Under 1 Roof (Louisville), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), Fab 48 (Las Vegas)
- Offers: Lake Erie (May 30)
- Additional interest: Oakland, Air Force, West Liberty (June visit), Saginaw Valley State (June visit), Cedarville, Walsh (June visit), Wayne State, Malone, Findlay
- Recruitment notes: Although it’s a lengthy list of potential suitors, Harris has been told that all will come see him play in July. He also visited Lake Erie in recent months. Harris points to Oakland, Air Force, West Lib, SVSU, and Cedarville as programs he talks to the most.
- What we’re seeing: Harris is blossoming as a scoring threat on the inside and as a spot shooter. Talented all-around offensive weapon.
Owen Hazelbaker (2019), 6’7” F, Nova (Russell) / Johnstown
- Tournament schedule: Hoop Group (Atlantic City), All In HoopFest (Louisville), Hoop Group (Louisville)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Hillsdale (June visit), Ashland
- Recruitment notes: The 4.2-4.3 GPA student has a score of 25 on the ACT. Hazelbaker camped at Cornell and Ashland last month. Hillsdale and Ashland will follow him this coming month.
- What we’re seeing: A high-IQ forward that mixes powerful interior scoring with mid-range craft and outside shooting. Old school toughness and reliability.
Kevin Davet, 6’9” C, All Ohio Black / St. Ignatius
- Tournament schedule: unknown
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Princeton, Cornell, Lafayette, Holy Cross, Walsh, Johns Hopkins, MIT
- Recruitment notes: The high-academic prospect went to Princeton and Lafayette camps in June.
- What we’re seeing: An increasingly fluid big man who is scoring the ball inside and expanding his confidence. Protects the rim with size and off-ball positioning.
Eddie Colbert, 6’5” W/F, M2K Elite / Whitmer
- Tournament schedule: Milwaukee, Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), Vegas
- Offers: Lourdes (June 2)
- Additional interest: Northwood (June visit), Walsh, Toledo, Saginaw Valley State, Siena Heights
- Recruitment notes: Colbert visited Northwood with a couple of his M2K Elite teammates. He also specified that he’s talked to Toledo “a little.”
- What we’re seeing: Following a high school season where he was unstoppable inside and stayed down there when Whitmer really needed a bucket, he’s now comfortably stretching the floor as a spot shooter. Also a threat to make quick moves on the dribble drive.
CJ Karsatos, 6’8” F, Nova (James) / Upper Arlington
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge (Atlanta), All In Hoopfest (Louisville), GRBA National Championship II (Fort Wayne)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Wright State, Air Force, Army, “bunch of D-IIs and D-IIIs, maybe a few extra D-Is”
- Recruitment notes: Karsatos went to the Wright State elite camp in June.
- What we’re seeing: One of the most enticing forward prospects in the state because of his ball skills and flashes of offensive ability. Karsatos is comfortable with the ball in his hands and is afforded the opportunity with Nova to occasionally create. We don’t expect him to show off the full repertoire within Upper Arlington’s system in the winter, so watch him now.
Ibrahima Athie, W/F, 6’5”, Shining Star / Deer Park
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Invitational (Indianapolis), All In HoopFest (Louisville), Louisville JamFest (Louisville)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Cincinnati Christian, Toledo, Akron
- Recruitment notes: Athie tells us Toledo and Akron frequently send him letters. As far as CCU, Athie works out at their facility and talks to their coaches while there. He hasn’t officially started the recruitment process with the local program.
- What we’re seeing: Athie has a prototypical physical profile for a combo forward in terms of length and athletic build. Bouncy and active player on the glass and in transition.
Ben Wight, 6’8” F/C, Nova (James) / Thomas Worthington
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge (Atlanta), All In Hoopfest (Louisville), GRBA National Championship II (Fort Wayne)
- Offers: Ohio (Sept. 2017)
- Interest: several D-I and D-II programs
- Recruitment notes: n/a
- What we’re seeing: A rangy, mobile, and long big man who has good feet and room to grow upstairs. Wight deflects a lot of shots and finishes with touch inside. Runs the floor.
Tanner Holden, 6’6” W/F, All Ohio Red / Wheelersburg
- Tournament schedule: Peach Invitational (Augusta), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), AAU Super Showcase (Orlando)
- Offers: Winthrop (June 27), Akron (Feb. 1), Ohio (Sept. 2016), Toledo (June 2017), Cleveland State (June 2017), Marshall (June 2017)
- Additional interest: Clemson, Dayton, Ohio State, Xavier, UT Chattanooga
- Recruitment notes: Holden took one visit in June, which was when he was offered by Winthrop. As far as schools who have offered, Holden indicated that he still communicates with Ohio, Marshall, and Toledo. He also said, “I have talked to Winthrop, Clemson, Marshall almost every other day.”
- What we’re seeing: A physically imposing wing who has overwhelmed mismatches all spring. Shoots a high FG percentage and looks natural on the perimeter even though he plays mostly in the post during the winter. Room to grow as a shooter.