Recruiting Report: Austin Rotroff (2018)
Find yourself in a gym where 6’8” center Austin Rotroff (2018) is operating, and you’ll catch yourself marveling at his low-post offense. Then he rejects a few of the opponent’s lay-ups, and now the unsigned sophomore has your full attention.…
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Continue ReadingFind yourself in a gym where 6’8” center Austin Rotroff (2018) is operating, and you’ll catch yourself marveling at his low-post offense. Then he rejects a few of the opponent’s lay-ups, and now the unsigned sophomore has your full attention.
This happened a few weeks back during the OSHBCA Showcase at Otterbein University, gaining the interest of a number of Division II programs across the state. The center from Wauseon, who is not committed to a college program, is also in contact with the University of Toledo.
“I had a good time there and got a little exposure through that,” Rotroff said, of the exposure event for sophomores.
To go along with a strong showing at Otterbein, Rotroff was awarded 1st team Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) as a sophomore.
He combines a cool demeanor with a serious approach.
“I think I could [play Division I], but there’s a lot of improvements to do. I’m hungry for that. Going to do whatever it takes to play at the highest level,” Rotroff said. “I’m pretty much a post player, with the back to the basket. Going to improve on my attacking off the dribble. But I can shoot a little bit, block shots, bring energy to the team. I do a little of everything.”
During the interview with Prep Hoops, Rotroff was adamant about developing ball-handling skills, in order to create opportunities for his jump-shot. Considering his finishing abilities at the rim, adding more outside shooting would be a nightmare for opposing centers.
This summer, he is travelling with NWO Hoops.
His mixture of size, mentality, skill, swiftness, shooting, and defense, is a combination that coaches will continually notice throughout his final two years of high school. He is the focal point (offensively and defensively) for both NWO Hoops and Wauseon High School, meaning there’s plenty of opportunities for viewers to get a feel of his game.
It’s reasonable to believe Rotroff will land at a Division I program. Taking into account that the Toledo Rockets are the sole D-I currently talking to the big man, it may be an appropriate time for similar programs to start making their pitch.