Recruiting Report: Drew Bench (2019)
Over the grassroots season, All Ohio Gold 16U established themselves as one of the top teams in Ohio. At the center of their attack was 6'5”-6'6” forward Drew Bench (2019), a two-sport prospect from Genoa.
If his summer, including a break-out performance at the Northern Ohio Elite Showcase, was any indication of what's to come, Bench will be something to watch as an upperclassman.
Over the next two seasons, Bench will be watched closely on the football field also, where he plays middle linebacker/tight end. He's receiving interest from Cincinnati, Findlay, and Bluffton, on the football side of things.
“Basketball [recruitment] has picked up more, but football is right up there,” Bench said. He continued, “I prefer to play basketball. But I am opened up to play football or basketball.”
“Basketball, I know Toledo has been looking. Findlay has also been looking. I've received some stuff from Butler University and Mississippi State. I think a few more, but I forget the names,” Bench said.
He went on to mention that he's been to several camps recently: Ashland, Toledo, Findlay, and Wooster.
We'd expect Bench's (basketball) recruitment to pick up tremendously by the end of next summer, especially at the Division II level. He's a strong, bouncy athlete, who will tell you that running the floor is his best attribute. In the half-court, Bench's athleticism allows him to dominate other bigs in the deep paint and protect the rim against slashers.
Bench is looking to take his game to the next level, by becoming more comfortable with the ball in his hands.
“Something I'm trying to add to my game is probably dribbling and ball-handling with my opposite hand,” Bench told us.
During the fall, Bench doesn't have a ton of time for skill development. But even when football work-outs and practices take up most of his time, Bench is naturally improving his physical tools, which help his presence on the basketball floor.
“Football does take a lot of time of my day. It gives me little time, at night, to practice basketball. But I feel like, at football practice, it helps me with my feet and lateral movement. So really, I'm practicing football and basketball at the same time.”
Bench also carries a 3.4 GPA. He will take the ACT for the first time in October.
Last season, Genoa took a step forward by reaching the Division III Regional Finals. With their two premier players, Bench and fellow 2019 prospect Jacob Plantz, just now entering their junior season, will surely make even more noise these next two seasons
We'd expect Bench's (basketball) recruitment to pick up tremendously by the end of next summer, especially at the Division II level. He's a strong, bouncy athlete, who will tell you that running the floor is his best attribute. In the half-court, Bench's athleticism allows him to dominate other bigs in the deep paint and protect the rim against slashers.
Bench is looking to take his game to the next level, by becoming more comfortable with the ball in his hands.
“Something I'm trying to add to my game is probably dribbling and ball-handling with my opposite hand,” Bench told us.
During the fall, Bench doesn't have a ton of time for skill development. But even when football work-outs and practices take up most of his time, Bench is naturally improving his physical tools, which help his presence on the basketball floor.
“Football does take a lot of time of my day. It gives me little time, at night, to practice basketball. But I feel like, at football practice, it helps me with my feet and lateral movement. So really, I'm practicing football and basketball at the same time.”
Bench also carries a 3.4 GPA. He will take the ACT for the first time in October.
Last season, Genoa took a step forward by reaching the Division III Regional Finals. With their two premier players, Bench and fellow 2019 prospect Jacob Plantz, just now entering their junior season, will surely make even more noise these next two seasons
