2017 Prospect Rankings: By the numbers
In order to examine and breath life into our 2017 prospect rankings, we’re releasing a few articles to go along with the update.
Instead of the rankings being a simple list, this series of articles helps put things into perspective.
Today, we’re breaking things down by the numbers. These won’t be just arbitrary numbers. Each will do one of two things, 1) it will give you a look into how we evaluate talent, and/or 2) where the class of 2017 fits into other Ohio classes.
213
As in, we’ve ranked 213 prospects in the 2017 class. It’s the largest number we’ve ever compiled, breaking new ground. It speaks to the depth of talent in this class — when the #132 player committed to Otterbein last week, there’s solid players all over the board. Our staff has worked diligently around the clock to compile a legitimate list, and we like to believe we’ve succeeded in our goal. However, there are certainly players who suffer from oversight on our part. Meaning, this list could probably be a tad bit larger! Kudos to the senior basketball players in Ohio.
41
As in, 41 players in the 2017 class are committed to non-Division I programs. Prep Hoops has always, and will always, be dedicated to providing coverage for players at all levels. We make a conscious effort of not focusing solely on players with Division I talent, while also not ignoring them. So we’ve watched these 41 players, writing in detail about well over half of them. We’re not surprised. There’s serious talent there! By the way, this number will be much higher in about three months.
27
As in, 27 post players who operate primarily around the basket. Apparently, “true” post players are a dying breed. But when 12.6% of the total players in this list are of this type, it seems like we should pump the brakes on proclaiming that they’re an endangered species.
61
As in, 61 players from Southwest Ohio, the most by any region in the State. Nationally, Ohio is known as a state that matters once every four years when the election comes around. It’s because we’re a heavily populated state, with five metropolitan areas. So, dividing the state according to those hotbeds makes sense. Turns out, southwest Ohio, which has an advantage because you combine Dayton and Cincinnati, has the greatest depth of talent this year.
10
As in, ten high schools have multiple players committed to playing basketball at the college level: Massillon Jackson, Newark, Archbishop Moeller, Centerville, Bloom Carroll, Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, Oak Hills, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Columbus St. Charles, and Garfield Heights. Bloom Carroll has two players, Gavin Brown and Matthew Smith, going to the same school. Massillon Jackson is the only school with three players committed.
3
As in, three new players in the top 25. Matt Davet, Keegan McDowell, and Caden Sanchez, did enough in the high school season to replace three players inside the top 25 in our final update.