Dru Joyce Classic: Biggest Stock-Risers
In our first recap article from this weekend’s Dru Joyce Shooting Stars Classic, we will start with some breakout performers.
The players touched on in this article exceeded our expectations. Not necessarily players that didn’t previously play up to this caliber, we just hadn’t seen it before. In turn, these prospects will likely rise in our next rankings update.
Jake Dible (2018), 6’6” PF, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club / Ottawa-Glandorf
Dible told us after his first game on Saturday that he’s more of a football player, because his body fits better on the gridiron. That may be true, but Dible’s large frame and ability to run the floor make him difficult to handle on the court also.
Dible routinely out-hustled his opponents for easy baskets on the secondary break. If he wasn’t getting the rebound, he was leaking out. When he was met by other guys, let’s say in the half-court, Dible has some post moves to avoid defenders, including a smooth up-and-under. Dible didn’t show much bounce however, making his explosiveness the biggest question mark going forward.
Davin Zeigler (2019), 6’2” PG, NEO Shooting Stars / Cleveland Benedictine
Zeigler was easily one of the most outstanding Ohio prospects we saw this weekend. The reason he’s a stock-riser is because we have him ranked #85 in the 2019 class. That’s a serious error on our part, frankly.
Zeigler was often the guy leading the NEO SS this weekend, as he plays downhill from the lead-guard position and scores efficiently. Often times, his defender would just continue back-peddling and Zeigler would drop an uncontested 15-foot pull-up. When Zeigler gets to the rim, which he does often, he explodes while controlling his body and can finish with either hand. He was flat-out efficient this weekend.
Luka Eller (2020), 6’6” F, NEO Shooting Stars / Lake Catholic
Eller played in the 17u/2018 division this weekend. When he had the opportunity to touch the ball, Eller did not disappoint. On the block, Eller has a European style, as he quickly makes decisions and creates separation with spin moves in tight quarters. Eller also has the ability to knock-down the three-point shot.
Hard to imagine there are too many more promising stretch-4 prospects in the 2020 Ohio class.
Jordan Jackson (2020), 6’2” PG, Brothers of Basketball / Lorain
Although Jackson usually plays with Hardwork (an AAU team based out of Garfield Heights), he suited up for B.O.B. this weekend.
Jackson could be found carrying this team throughout entire games. Defensively, Jackson, being one of their taller players, was forced to protect the rim. His leaping ability and anticipation skills allowed him to block a lot of weak layup attempts and come down with rebounds. Once he got his hands on the ball, Jackson pushed the pace with both the outlet pass and coast-to-coast attacks. When Jackson wasn’t knifing through defenders, his shooting off-the-bounce was much further along than his peers.
Dante’ Wheeler (2020), 6’4” W/F, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club / Elida
Wheeler can play an interior game. His hook shot, physicality, and grit allows him to dominate opponents on the block. Wheeler does do that at times.
What’s more, Wheeler was playing point forward by the end of Saturday. He would get the inbound pass and crossover guards, then finish with physicality inside. Also, he shoots the lights out, even from a step or two beyond the arch. Safe to say that we were constantly impressed with Wheeler this weekend.
Corey Floyd (2020), 6’3” F, Rebels / Cleveland Brush
Floyd had a solid weekend overall, but he truly shined in their game against NEO SS on Saturday evening. Floyd played up to the competition of a circuit team and hit some impressive mid-range shots, after looking off defenders to clear space. Also, he won some rebound battles against players we assumed were better athletes than him. Either way, Floyd was a pleasant surprise.
Muhammad Metz (2020), 5’8” PG, Queen City Prophets / Cincinnati Taft
Metz plays a bit unorthodox, and it took a while for us to be sure of him because of it. For example, he releases the jumper a little low. Thing is, he shoots it like that every time and it goes in consistently, at least when we were watching.
Not only can Metz stretch the floor, he passes the ball at the correct time. He doesn’t over-dribble, which is a promising trait for a young point guard. Metz is simply a smart basketball player who elevates his teammates.