Preseason First Team All-Cincinnati

<p>Considering<strong> team success</strong> and one’s <strong>individual influence</strong> towards winning, who will be the five faces of Cincinnati basketball this season?</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nekhi-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nekhi Smith</a> (2020) | 6-5 PF | Taft</strong></h6> <p>The benefits of Taft's additions — Mark Wise, Rayvon Griffith, and Leroy Walker — boils down to two things: they're now the favorites to win states (their move down to Division III is also huge here) and more one-on-one opportunities for Smith.</p> <p>We expect Smith to absolutely punish teams on a nightly basis with his combination of skill and power. On nights when others are struggling to find a rhythm, Smith may be able to will them to victory. In the other scenarios when his teammates are also rolling, Smith's force will have a demoralizing effect.</p> <p>We're sure Taft will see a lot of 2-3 zone looks, especially in non-conference games. His shooting and playmaking ability from the high post will be instrumental during those matchups. </p> <h6><strong>Evan Prater (2020) | 6-5 SF | Wyoming</strong></h6> <p>Prater is the clear-cut choice for CHL Player of the Year and should, frankly, have his way with almost every team in the league. The four-star Cincinnati football recruit creates high-percentage shots from anywhere he receives a pass. On the other side of the floor, Prater is a fierce shot-blocker with enough quickness and length to defend point guards. His abundance of versatility will make Wyoming a tough-out in their first year of the post-Edmonds era. </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>McMillan, a Hughes transfer, joins a Woodward team that enters the season with a whiff of underrated energy, despite the local buzz. While Aiken, Alter, Thurgood, and Trotwood carry higher expectations from statewide observers, Woodward can <em>definitely</em> knock off any of those teams come postseason.</p> <p>Compared to his experience with Hughes last year, McMillan is now surrounded by a multitude of quick guards and a mobile big. His numbers will continue to be outstanding in the CMAC considering his skill and the pace of play. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mark-wise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mark Wise</a> (2020) | 6-4 G | Taft</strong></h6> <p>Maybe besides Moeller's quest for a third-straight state title, no team is going to capture the Cincinnati high school basketball zeitgeist like Taft this season. This is supposed to be the season where the Senators win their first State Championship since 2011 and Wise's transfer in from Deer Park is what puts them over the edge.</p> <p>Wise is maybe the most physically-imposing lead guard in Ohio. He brings championship experience after going undefeated as a sophomore with Deer Park. When he's rolling, Wise plays with patience yet has the ability to punish defenders if you don't send help. </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>Gosh, we've written quite a few blurbs about Williams this preseason. There's good reason for it, too. He's going to be one of three best players on the preseason Division I favorites this season, and our thought is that he finishes as their most important guy.</p> <p>Williams contributes to winning in a seemingly unlimited number of ways. He combines overwhelming size and skill with expert decision-making. Plays with an edge. Provides rebounding and defends multiple positions while maintaining go-to scoring capability. Finally, he rises to the occasion against tough competition. </p> <p>Oh, and I'm picking Moeller to win states, by the way. </p>