GRBA National Championships: 2019 Stock Risers (Part 2)
While many college coaches wrapped up their July Live Period by focusing on 2018 prospects this past weekend, we watched everyone. Today and tomorrow, we’ll catch everyone up on what happened with the incoming juniors and sophomores.
Note: This recap does not include the 2019 Hybrid prospects; they are instead mentioned here.
Garrett Denbow, 6’5” G/W, OH-NOVA (Bennett)/Ashland
Any possession where Denbow was feeling it and found himself against an undersized guard, he was going straight into the post and looking for the ball. He positions himself properly and has a bevy of scoring moves with his back to the basket. Denbow likes to take one dribble towards the rim before turning around or throwing in a hook shot. He also showed a flash of the one-foot Dirk fall-away on Saturday evening.
When he’s not busy abusing opponents with his combination of physicality and finesse on the 12-foot post-up game, Denbow spreads the floor with his jumper. Any shot by Denbow was a quality possession for NOVA, therefore he didn’t hesitate to fire quickly on open opportunities. Denbow can defend a bunch of spots — including forwards because of his strength and positioning around the basket — which allows for mismatches on the other end.
Benjamin James, 6’4” F, Ohio Varsity Shooting Stars/Columbus Independence
James is a diamond in the rough, playing for two programs that we haven’t seen enough of. His motor is on one-hundred at all times. James is a locomotive in transition, itches for opportunities to intercept crosscourt passes, and crashes the boards with force. Watching him go was truly incredible. He looks like a future collegiate defensive end. He got up and dunked the ball a couple times and showed some passing instincts when driving from the elbow.
Payton Moyer, 6’ G, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club/Toledo St. John’s
Moyer is a catch-and-shoot specialist who seems to have mastered the craft of it. He can either drift to open spots in the defense when a ball-handler drives or come off screens when starting baseline. Once he finds the crack for a shooting opportunity, Moyer is as consistent as they come.
Ethan Heller, 6’ PG, OH-NOVA (Bennett)/Sheridan
Elijah Thomas, 6’ G, Ohio Varsity Shooting Stars/Gahanna Lincoln
In our first time watching Thomas, he appears to have enough quickness to get anywhere in the half-court. He’s a long 6-foot, and he sort of jumps to spots when he’s crossing over or making any movements with the ball in his hands. Thomas finished a tough floater coming on a spin-gather, hit multiple pull-ups, and connected on a couple triples too. He has point guard height, but doesn’t look to create for others too often — which seems like the natural next step in his game.
Ryan Nunn, 5’11” G, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club/Findlay
Nunn is another 2019 guard prospect who plays with a hop in his step. The pace of the game feels more urgent when he’s coming up the court. In turn, Nunn’s defender is on his heels, opening up pull-up opportunities. It’s on these off-the-dribble mid-range jumpers where Nunn truly separates himself. Although his neck stays moving and he’s always trying to find an open man, he’s also extremely aggressive in finding an opportunity to rise for that shot.