Ahrens On the Cusp of Three More HM Offers
Justin Ahrens (Versailles High) is one of the best Class of 2018 players in his entire state. “I just picked up two offers, one from Oakland and one from Miami (Ohio),” said Ahrens. “Ohio State is showing a lot more…
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Continue ReadingJustin Ahrens (Versailles High) is one of the best Class of 2018 players in his entire state.
“I just picked up two offers, one from Oakland and one from Miami (Ohio),” said Ahrens. “Ohio State is showing a lot more (interest). Purdue. Butler. Xavier. They are really…they want to see me play a few more times in July before they, I think they are pretty close to offering.”
Who is close to offering? Xavier?
“All three of those, if I keep playing like I have been playing,” said Ahrens.
O-H-I-O
Ohio State has an enormous influence in the Buckeye State. Perhaps more than any other singular school in the Midwest their reputation permeates the home state. Indiana is powerful, but Notre Dame gobbles up plenty and Louisville and Kentucky carve up portions of KY. Only Kansas dominates the landscape locally like Ohio State.
Ohio State Head Coach Thad Matta watched Justin and King James 16u compete Friday afternoon. Of course there are multiple targets on the squad worthy of an OSU evaluation, but Ahrens absolutely belongs in that elite company.
“I think it is a great honor,” said Ahrens. It is like Michigan or Michigan State for a Michigan kid. It is the most known school in Ohio for basketball, I guess you could say.”
Ahren’s older brother signed with Michigan State. He also played for King James AAU. Would Justin dare select a competing program like Ohio State?
“It is Big 10,” said the younger Ahrens. “It is great competition. I could really consider if I got the offer. I really like Ohio State.”
The Musketeer Way
Xavier is one of the three on the cusp of offering, according to Justin’s educated interpretation of recent contact.
“I really like Xavier,” said Ahrens. “It was really nice. It is kinda small, private school. Their basketball team is great.”
The Musketeers have been trying to dominate the basketball-crazy Cincinnati market for decades and with the money invested in the school, and the continued expansion of both the campus and media rights (Big East) they are elbowing the nearby University of Cincinnati for Queen City prominence.
Justin and many other recruits are taking notice.
“They are doing a really good renovation,” said Ahrens. “They are going to have 24-hour access. I really love it. I like everything about Xavier. They are like a family there. It is really nice. I could really see myself fitting in there.”
Justin and his King James squad are heading home after a single game Saturday morning, falling short of their goal. Next week they head to Grand Rapids Michigan and then Orlando for the Super Showcase.