Recruiting Report: Anthony Masterlasco (2017)

A transition/open-space oriented player who prefers to run point guard but lines up in the post when asked to do so … sounds like the future of this game. Individual versatility is increasingly crucial. <strong>Anthony Masterlasco</strong> (2017), a 6’4” guard who can do it all for Liberty Benton High School, is one of the players leading that charge into tomorrow. Masterlasco, who plays in the summer with Northwest Ohio Basketball Club, added an offer from Wheeling Jesuit on Wednesday, making that four total offers. Fairmont State, Indiana Tech, and Findlay, are the others. On top of that, there’s others who could easily jump on that list. “Bunch of Division II ... West Liberty, Walsh, Ferris State. And then I’m talking to Wright State a little bit,” Masterlasco said. He remains undecided at this point in the process, but was comfortable saying that Findlay and Wheeling are his two favorites at the moment. So, what is going to be the basis of that decision? “Coaches, obviously going to be very important to me in where I want to go. And then, the players. The atmosphere, like how many people are they bring into the games. If I’m going to play or not right away. And definitely like the school, ya know, I might only play four more years and it’s all about getting the education … kind of looking into engineering.” https://twitter.com/D_Sandy44/status/714512022877052928 As a junior, he averaged 20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while carrying a 3.2 GPA. His basketball resume earned him 1^st Team Blanchard Valley Conference. The impressive stat-line is a reflection of how much he energy he plays with; and that style best fits an up-tempo brand of basketball. He makes opponents regret picking up their dribble by absolutely hounding them for a steal. Once he gets his hands on that ball, he’s off and ready to dunk it <em>or</em> dish it to an open man for the bucket. “I’m all about fast breaks. So, I mean, we trap a lot to get out into the open court and get some dunks. It’s all about the defensive end, if you’re able to play there it will lead to transition buckets. Makes it a lot easier on your team.” As mentioned, his energy translates to multiple spots on the floor. He played point guard for the first time as a junior, plays wing during AAU, and is expecting another shift as a senior. “This year I’m probably going to be running a lot in post, but I’m a point guard overall … Since we lost our big guy, playing the post position for our high school team is going to help me improve there to. Help me become an all-around player,” Masterlasco said. Any high Division II team or mid-, low-major Division I team will benefit from having Masterlasco in their program. Kid is a stud.