Top 2020 Sleepers – Ohio Top 250

Fred Andrews

October 1, 2019 @ 11:42 AM

Below is some of my top players from the 2020 class from Top 250 event in Columbus. College coaches need to make sure if they are looking for certain positions or everything, need to make sure they do their due diligence with the list below: Matt Bengel 6'3" CG Sr. (Mercyhurst Prep) - Matt is a OG, but I think could develop into someone who can become a Combo at the next level. He has good size, a really good feel for the game and is skilled. In addition, Matt is a good athlete. While he is just an average shooter, he can develop into a better with work. Finally, he moves as well with out the ball so for teams that like to run a lot of motion or have guards come off screens looking to score, he can do that well. Simon Blair 6'2" PG Sr. (South Central) - Simon is a classic sleeper PG who has a chance to play at the D2 level. He has great size for a PG (6'2) and is very tough. He knows how to play, he makes his teammates better and plays extremely hard. He is an average scorer right now and a little streaky from behind the 3PT line, but has the tools to become at least a threat. I have seen successful PG's that can't shoot like him with the same intangibles that Simon brings. Simon is someone people need to get out and see this winter. Travis Easterly 6'3" G/F Sr. (Chaney) - Travis is a strong wing that in the right level, can even play a little 4 if need be because of his strength. He is very versatile wing scorer. He is an above average 3PT shooter, but is also skilled enough to get to the cup on drives, especially when using his body/strength. He must continue to get quicker and more athletic, especially on the defensive end. But Travis is a classic sleeper. Conner Maciag 6'3" G/F Sr. (Pickerington Central) - Conner was one of the best 3PT shooters that I saw at the event a couple weeks ago. He can shoot it to about 23' easy, and will not have to make that big of an adjustment shooting the college 3 as well. While shooting is his #1 strength, he is a good athlete and when he plays off his ability to shoot, he can get by defenders and finish. While he must always play off his ability to shoot the 3, he has to continue to work on his mid range game and be an average playmaker when good teams will run him off the 3PT line at the college level. However, he has great size and is someone that D2s and below must see, especially if you need to bring in a shooter next year. Cory Norris 6'2" OG Sr. (Zanesville) - Cory did some very good things and showed that he is a sleeper wing/Off guard in the 2020 class. He has the ability to shoot the ball from behind the arc and is an average to above average 3PT shooter. In addition, he does a great job of SPRINTING in transition and getting easy baskets there as well. He has a good frame that will allow him to be able to hold his own physically at the next level. He must continue to get better putting the ball on the floor and moving without the ball and get quicker laterally to defend at the college level. D2's need that have a need for a OG need to get to Zanesville and watch Cory. Garret White 6'9" C Sr. (Maumee) - Garret is a big bodied 5 that did some good things at the showcase. While he is not super skilled right now, he does rebound well and is a solid defender. Another thing positive is that he does not try to do things he can't and seems like he is a good teammate. Garret is a classic sleeper and like I mentioned about some, you can't teach 6'9" 215+ at the high school level and D2 and below need to inquire about him. Lubna Khayat 5'5' PG Sr. (Avon) - Lubna is a little small, but is a sleeper, especially anyone that needs a PG. Although he is a little undersized, he is tough and very skilled. He shoots the 3 well and good off the bounce, both in the mid range and a little to the cup. The one thing about him right now is that he needs to be a little bit more of a playmaker rather than a scorer, which is what I saw him do more at this event. While he maybe able to be a good scorer at the next level, he must hang his hat on being a big time defender and playmaker who can also score.