Top 10 Southwest Ohio Facilitators

<p>Facilitators shouldn't be thought of, simply, as players who prefer to pass. Rather, it's about delivering the ball to teammates in places where they can be successful.</p> <p>The best distributors directly create high-percentage shots for others.</p> <p>Therefore, a facilitator is often someone with the ball-handling ability or sheer quickness to breakdown the defense. Once a facilitator gets past the first line of defense and draws a second defender — or forces multiple players to collapse — he instinctively knows where to go with the ball. </p> <p>So, just keep in mind as we roll through the Top 10 Southwest Ohio Facilitators, we are not simply celebrating unselfish passers. Instead, we're recognizing those who truly facilitate efficient basketball for their team.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derek-eddings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Derek Eddings</a> (2020) | 6-2 PG | LaSalle</strong></h6> <p>The Thomas More commit is a classic point guard with terrific vision and decision-making ability. Uses his size to survey the floor against smaller defenders, both out of the triple threat and when slashing. Plays with balance in traffic. Threat to drive-and-kick to go with finishing ability that demands respect from help-side shot-blockers. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevon-ellis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trevon Ellis</a> (2020) | 6-3 G | Stivers</strong></h6> <p>One of the state's most productive lead guards, Ellis lives around the basket and makes his teammates better with late passes. Possesses enough size to be effective in congested areas. Great court sense and has the ability to find forwards for drop-down passes — most of his assists come on interior passes. Handles the ball with pace. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/steven-gentry-jr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Steven Gentry Jr.</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Deer Park</strong></h6> <p>Gentry's game is all about speed. Displays blow-by ability and is very quick on side-to-side crossovers. Able to sneak through tight windows and pull help defenders off of his teammates. Unselfish passer late into his drives. Averaged a Cincinnati Hills League-best 5.3 assists last season.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nate-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nate Johnson</a> (2021) | 6-2 PG | Lakota East</strong></h6> <p>Johnson is an explosive and patient Division I guard prospect who is only scratching the surface on his potential. Combines a wide, powerful frame with impressive footwork to get into the paint and make plays. Opponents often bounce off of him, allowing Johnson to stay poised in traffic and see the floor. Finds shooters. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-knostman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ben Knostman</a> (2021) | 6-3 PG | Tippecanoe</strong></h6> <p>I'd argue Knostman is Ohio's premier passer. He possesses true instincts and feel. Delivers the ball from clever launch points (behind the back in transition, bounce passes in stride, no-look drop-downs, etc.) while remaining on-target. Creates open shot opportunities in transition and the half-court. Knostman often breaks down the defense with spin moves and foot-work after picking up his dribble.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/paul-mcmillan-iv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paul McMillan IV</a> (2022) | 6-1 PG | Cincinnati Woodward</strong></h6> <p>The game seems to move slow for McMillan. He himself plays at an extremely fast pace yet shows tremendous body control and court sense while barreling down-hill. Equally capable of finding big men on the block as he is an open shooter. Routinely collapses the defense and keeps them honest with elite finishing ability.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deairius-randle-barker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DeAirius Randle-Barker</a> (2020) | 6-0 PG | Princeton</strong></h6> <p>Randle-Barker is an instinctual lead guard with the athleticism to get past his man and make a play. Very good finisher, spot-up shooter, and distributor. Keeps everyone involved in that loaded Princeton Vikings backcourt. Strong decision-maker. </p> <h6><strong>Zavian Ricks (2020) | 5-10 PG | Fairfield</strong></h6> <p>Quick point guard who gets past the initial defender regularly. Ricks displays strong footwork in the paint and is a good decelerator — slowing down allows him to recognize a passing window that opens up late. Also finds shooters on cross-court passes as a slasher. Ranked fourth in assists in the GMC last season.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jakada-stone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jakada Stone</a> (2021) | 6-0 PG | Aiken</strong></h6> <p>Stone sets up teammates in spaces of the floor where they can score it. Knows his personnel and gets them the ball on-time in spots that they're comfortable. Quick athlete who uses his knock-down jumper to set-up his drives. Seeing the floor increasingly well.  </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alex-williams-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alex Williams</a> (2021) | 6-4 F | Moeller</strong></h6> <p>Instinctual basketball player who finds teammates in transition and the half-court. While Williams may look to score as his first option, he often makes clever passes while slashing or facing up. He also facilitates open shots as a screener, where his strong body creates space for teammates. </p> <hr /> <h6><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention:</span> Mark Wise, Sammy Anderson, Andre O'Daniel, Carter Mims, Larry Stephens, Chris Herbort, Savon O'Neal, Darren Rubin, Logan Woods</em></h6>