On the Verge: 2019 Guards
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 super specific, as we couldn’t get full access to each player. And, yep, that’s about it.
Javohn Garcia, 6’3” PG, All Ohio Red / Pickerington Central
- Tournament schedule: Peach Invitational (Augusta), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), AAU Super Showcase (Orlando)
- Offers: Salem (June 28), Air Force (May 6), Stony Brook (August 2017)
- Additional interest: MAC and Horizon League programs
- Recruitment notes: Garcia visited Kent State and Ohio University in June.
- What we’re seeing: A player growing in terms of court presence and court sense. Long and instinctual defender that could likely defend 1 and 2 in college.
Samari Curtis, 6’4” G, C2K Elite / Xenia
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge and Elite 32 (Atlanta), Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), UA Finals (Vegas)
- Offers: unknown
- Additional interest: Missouri, Cincinnati, Xavier, Louisville, Dayton, Florida, Indiana
- Recruitment notes: Curtis announced his decommitment from Xavier via Twitter on May 29. He had pledged to them before Chris Mack moved to Louisville. Since then, we’re unaware of any schools offering Curtis a scholarship. Before verbally committing to Xavier, he had offers from Cincinnati, Kent State, Toledo, Akron, and Xavier.
- What we’re seeing: Simply put, a four-star recruit became available since the last time anyone played grassroots ball. If you don’t think Curtis, a super talented scorer, is going to be showered with college attention this July then go to the doctor for a check-up.
Davin Zeigler, 6’2” G, TNBA Ohio / Benedictine
- Tournament schedule: Hoop Group (Atlantic City), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), GRBA National Championship II (Fort Wayne)
- Offers: UC Riverside (June 28), Wright State (June 21), Youngstown State (June 2017), Cleveland State (June 2017)
- Additional interest: South Dakota, Akron, Kent State, Bowling Green, Northern Arizona, Mississippi State
- Recruitment notes: Zeigler will be watched by all schools who have offered and are listed as showing interest. He will visit Wright State, UC Riverside, and Youngstown State in the near future.
- What we’re seeing: Zeigler continues to grow in terms of athleticism and explosion. The dynamic combo guard is also stepping up his game defensively as a player who can force the action with ball pressure. Underrated pull-up shooter.
Brandon Haraway, 6’2” G, C2K Elite / Norwalk
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge and Elite 32 (Atlanta), Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), UA Finals (Vegas)
- Offers: Walsh (June 13), Tiffin (June 6), Ashland (October 2017)
- Additional interest: Findlay, Saginaw Valley State, Gardner Webb, UMASS Lowell, Navy
- Recruitment notes: Along with those interested, the three schools who have offered will continue tracking Haraway in July. He received his two offers while visiting each campus.
- What we’re seeing: Ranked as the no. 33 prospect in 2019, Haraway would be one of the top rated prospects to land at a D-II program. His combination of lateral quickness and strength makes him arguably the top perimeter defender in Ohio. Will likely play off the ball as a 2 guard offensively.
DJ Dial, 5’8” PG, 1 Nation / Brush
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge and Elite 32 (Atlanta), Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), Fab 48 (Vegas)
- Offers: Cleveland State (May 2017), Kent State (October 2016)
- Additional interest: Tennessee, Valparaiso, Winthrop, Oakland, Northern Illinois, Robert Morris, Holy Cross, Cornell, Eastern Kentucky, Detroit, Ohio University
- Recruitment notes: Dial performed well at the Tennessee and Valpo elite camps in June, per Brush head coach Chet Mason.
- What we’re seeing: Dial played sparingly with All Ohio Red during the spring. Now, he’s transitioned to a UAA circuit team and should enter July with a chip on his shoulder. The upcoming Live Period provides an opportunity to showcase his talents for the first time in a while.
Bodie Eberhart, 6’2” G, Ohio Hoopsters (Nakasian) / Marysville
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Invitational (Indianapolis), All In HoopFest (Louisville), GRBA National Championship II (Fort Wayne)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Ohio Dominican, Malone, Heidelberg, Ohio Northern
- Recruitment notes: Eberhart tells us he’s in communication with all of the programs listed going into July. They’ll all be on-hand to watch him play this month.
- What we’re seeing: A shot creator who can play either guard spot.
Kayin Derden, 6’2” G, Miller Factory / Columbus DeSales
- Tournament schedule: Hoop Group (Atlantic City), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), Louisville JamFest
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Ashland, Malone, Hillsdale, Charleston (WV), Northwood
- Recruitment notes: Our information is current as of the June 3 Recruiting Report. We weren’t able to get an update closer to this article.
- What we’re seeing: Shooting and defense are important. Derden checks both of those boxes with his aggressive stroke and length, which allows him to defend multiple spots.
Jake Plantz, 6’4” G, All Ohio Gold / Genoa
- Tournament schedule: Ballin Under 1 Roof (Louisville), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), Fab 48 (Las Vegas)
- Offers: Lake Erie (May 29)
- Additional interest: Walsh (June visit), Malone, Ashland
- Recruitment notes: Along with Lake Erie, Plantz tells us that Walsh is showing a lot of interest. He visited Malone and Asland in November.
- What we’re seeing: Plantz played well enough on both ends this spring to receive offers, but we’re sure some schools are just holding out until this coming month. Growing as a post-up scorer, which could potentially translate to college because of his strength.
Andre Harris, 6’3” G, ITPS / Brush
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Gold Gauntlet Finale (NYC), TBA, TBA
- Offers: Wright State (June 18), Bethune Cookman (December 2017), Robert Morris (October 2017), Canisius (July 2017), Youngstown State (June 2017), Cleveland State (April 2017), Kent State (October 2016)
- Additional interest: Dayton (June visit), Hampton, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Toledo, Iowa, Wisconsin, Richmond, St. Joe’s, Ohio University, and more
- Recruitment notes: He visited Kent State in June and went to an elite camp at Wright State. Both of those in-state programs are very high on Harris, per Brush head coach Chet Mason.
- What we’re seeing: Harris is growing as a ball-handler and decision-maker, making him more of a combo guard at the next level.