April’s Best: Class of 2018
At the beginning of April, we revealed our updated 2018 prospect rankings. Those are obviously subject to change over the next year or so.
With that being said, the question we’re answering with this two-part article is: If we were to do another update right now, who would significantly rise up the charts, based solely on April’s performance?
These observations are both based on first-hand watching, but also research —whether that’s talking to coaches/insiders or keeping an eye on who is being offered scholarships because of their play.
For the class of 2018, it’s the last summer to impress scouts with their grassroots play. Jumping out of the gate quickly during the first live-period isn’t the be-all end-all. However, for those that had a huge April, let’s acknowledge it!
By the way, some of these players aren’t even in the rankings currently. Also by the way, these players are in no particular order.
JT Shumate, 6’6” W, OH-NOVA Rice / Columbus Newark
Shumate began April with a strong showing in Washington DC. Following that weekend, we got the chance to see him in Indianapolis, where he was one of Ohio’s brightest stars at the event. Plenty of coaches are showing new interest this month. The new interest is highlighted by the fact that Shumate took his first campus visit to Ashland. No offers to report currently, but with Shumate hitting his stride, they’re only a matter of time.
Spring offers: N/A.
Austin Rotroff, 6’9” C, Ohio Basketball Club / Wauseon
Almost positive that no other Ohio prospect has received more offers this Spring than Austin Rotroff. He began the momentum in March, when he was one of the most dominate players in Columbus at the State Tournament. Since then he’s jumped on the Adidas Circuit, and impressed in doing so. Rotroff only had two offers coming into the Spring, which were from Toledo and Miami (OH).
Spring offers: Richmond, Cleveland State, Bucknell, Air Force, Bowling Green, Ball State, Kent State.
Vincent Williams, 6’6” W, All Ohio Red / Toledo St. John’s
The 6’6” prospect is tearing it up for All Ohio Red early on in the EYBL, as they are off to a 7-1 start, good enough for . Let’s just look at the averages: 11.1 points (shooting splits of 72-69-22), 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He’s top three on the team in each category. Again, Williams is shooting 72 percent from the field! Also, sure he’s shooting 22 percent from three, but he’s only taken nine attempts. Honestly, we’re quite stunned that more programs haven’t pulled the trigger so far this Spring. He’s freaking 31-43 from the field over 8 games!
Spring offers: Towson, Buffalo.
Lacey Watson, 6’5” G, Elite Basketball Club / Westerville Central
Watson isn’t the only guy playing exceptional basketball for EBC, but this program is really jumping onto the map, in large part because of him. They had an exceptional April, competing in big-time tournaments. Watson, a transfer from Chicago, will likely continue to add to his offer sheet throughout the grassroots season, as Kent State and Toledo offered last summer.
Earlier, we reported that Watson would be playing at Whitehall-Yearling next season. Since then, Watson and his family have decided that Westerville Central will be his future school. We will let the readers know if anything changes in this regard.
Spring offers: N/A.
Thomas Hickman, 6’2” PG, OH-NOVA Rice / Westerville Central
Hickman remains offer-less, but he’s definitely a college basketball player. He told PHO this morning that there is new interest from Tampa, Slippery Rock, Central Michigan, Belmont Abbey, Alderson Broaddus, Queens, Charlotte, and Grand Valley State. On the court, Hickman appears to be a much more explosive athlete this summer. What’s interesting about the added athleticism is that he’s also become smarter in the way he uses his speed/leaping ability. Bottom line, he’s ranked #108 in 2018, and there’s simply not 107 players better than him right now.
Spring offers: N/A.
Jordan Burge, 6’3” G, Another Level / Lutheran East
Burge, similar to Rotroff, started rising up the charts because of a strong Final Four appearance. He has continued his strong play since that time, finding his way to the basket whenever necessary. Burge doesn’t take a ton of three-point shots, but they dropped somewhat consistently in Indianapolis a few weeks back. Also, Burge might actually be a point guard, making his size a real asset moving forward, if that’s the case.
Spring offers: N/A.
Dominic “DJ” Brewton, 6’3” PG, Team One Prophets / Mt. Healthy
Brewton is another 6’3” guy that could spend time at the point guard position. He’s really coming onto our radar in a big way, really over the past three months or so. Brewton scores the ball at a high-rate. Capable of turning any possession into a fast-break, with his attacking style. Also, shoots the ball off the dribble better than most everyone. Offers and interest should follow him this summer.
Spring offers: N/A.
Giovanni Santiago, 6’1” PG, Team One Prophets / Cincinnati Hughes
Santiago slipped through the cracks for us, and he’s not even in the rankings currently. That’s why he’s in this article: he’s one of the best facilitative point guards in Ohio, and we missed on him. Because of a smooth shooting stroke, ball security, and passing ability, Santiago will likely be in the top-50 for 2018 after the summer.
Spring offers: N/A.
Ryan Rose, 6’2” G, Ohio Elite Purple / Bethel
Frankly, we weren’t completely sold on the idea that Rose was a college player after we watched a Bethel game this Winter. We’re sold now. He can definitely come into a program and be a shooting specialist, at the least. His three-point catch-and-shoot ability is complimented by his two-dribble pull-up from the elbow. Rose does a fundamentally sound job of playing within the offense.
Spring offers: N/A
Christian Guess, 6’5” G, Ohio Basketball Club / Shaker Heights
Simply put, Guess had two offers coming into the Spring, and now he has four. So that’s something. Guess is one of the most complete guard prospects in his class. He can explode at the basket inside for highlight-reel finishes. Also, Guess’ three-point shot can spread the floor. Seems that he’s definitely established himself as player who will help a Division I program in college. Previous scholarship offers are from Kent State and Miami (OH).
Spring offers: DePaul, Toledo.