Due to unique circumstances with transfers and reclassifications, our list of newcomers for the updated is a little top heavy. Of the ten players we decided to highlight in this article, six are in the top 100.
Otherwise, there were others who earned their spot based on improvements in their game.
Mcentire put the finishing touches on an adventurous high school career by dominating the Division III State Championship game with his defense. The transfer student has extremely strong hands and quick instincts on that end of the floor. His offensive game is mostly in the paint, where Mcentire craves contact at the basket.
[#28] Zubi Nwankwo, 7'1” C, Walnut Hills
Nwankwo, another transfer student in the southwestern corner of Ohio, is a raw center prospect who might need a year or two of development before playing college ball. However, you cannot teach his athleticism and size. Nwankwo will play D-I basketball for certain because of those physical tools.
[#30] EJ Williams, 6'10” C, Middletown
Williams returned to the Buckeye State from the South and quickly received an offer from Toledo. He's a massive presence on the block who is mostly valued for that size and his soft touch. Williams plays with his back to the basket and can disrupt a game's rhythm with his body.
[#67] Keith Williams, 6'3” G, Sandusky
Williams is a pretty high-IQ combo guard who distributes or gets into the lane for high-percentage floaters. He can also shoot the ball from the outside. At the Division II or NAIA level, we expect Williams capable of defending 1-3. To our knowledge, he's still without an offer.
[#84] Brooks Gype, 6'3” W, Wauseon
With offers from Malone, IUSB, and UNOH, Gype is one of the top wings on the open market. He makes plays for others on the wings and shifts defenses with his off-ball movement. Gype is accustomed to playing a half-court style of play and prefers to continue doing so at the college level.
[#108] Luke Thomas, 6'2” G, Fairland
Thomas emerged as the top guard on a pretty special Fairland team. Unlike Gype, Thomas prefers to get up and down the court. Thomas can play either guard spot offensively and is best at hitting jumpers with range. A preferred walk-on spot at Marshall and a scholarship offer from Urbana after Flyin' to the Hoop are the highlights of his recruitment.
[#109] Jatsiel Colon, 6'8” F/C, Lima Senior
Colon reclassified to the 2018 class, jumping up a grade level because of OHSAA regulation. The Puerto Rican native has sneaky athleticism for his size. Although Colon's body control and finishing touch isn't quite there yet, he oozes potential near the basket. Colon also likes to shoot the jumper when he's left open.
[#132] Shawn Hawkins, 6'5” F, Hughes
Hawkins really impressed this season after having some inconsistencies in the summer for Team One Phenom. The high-motor power forward rebounds better than his height might suggest. He gets up and down the floor at the pace of a wing. Hawkins has some athleticism to work with. He'll likely end up at a JUCO for academic reasons.
[#188] Jalen Rose, 6'5” W/F, Deer Park
Rose was one of the top stock-risers from Final Four weekend in Columbus. He is hungry to find a soft spot in the defense for his jumper, which he can shoot off the pull-up or catch. Rose could be a nice add to a small school as a score-first combo forward that stretches the floor.
