Flyin’ to the Hoop Monday Standouts & New Names

<h6><em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">photo: Matthew Cletus Photography</span></em></h6> <p class="p1">Monday was full of first impressions and long-time-no-sees as we watched nine teams for the first time this season.</p> <p class="p1">Both familiar faces and strangers impressed as we have several names added to the database after the final day of Ohio’s premiere basketball showcase</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Standouts</strong></em></h4> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dan-nauseef/">Dan Nauseef</a> (2021) | 6-6 C | Chaminade Julienne</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Nauseef is an active interior presence with a long, lean frame and light feet. Combines a long reach with quickness off the floor to be a defensive playmaker around the rim. His arms are everywhere when someone drives. Moves extremely well. Those tools (along with effort) also make Naussef an elite offensive rebounder. Not a great finisher yet but he's getting there. Excellent passer — he hit shooters out of the post and showed vision on interior passes. </p> <p>He should be a priority recruit for Division II programs this spring and summer.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brandon-gibson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brandon Gibson</a> (2020) | 6-4 SF | Chaminade Julienne</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>The unsigned senior is a smart wing with athleticism and solid size. Delivered impressive passes once the defense collapsed on his drive. Improving shooter. Ball-handling may be his weakness but Gibson can come right into college as a low-usage wing that slashes, defends, and makes good decision. We have him graded out as a D-II prospect. </p> <h6><strong>Larry Turner (2020) | 6-4 PF | Chaminade Julienne</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 10 points, 4 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Undersized power forward who could bring an edge and athleticism to a small college front-line. Turner rebounds outside of his area, showing burst. Wins position on the block by using strength. Finishes through the body. Turner flashed the ability to attack in a straight-line, even throwing down an athletic dunk after ripping through. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-suever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ryan Suever</a> (2021) | 6-8 PF | Ottoville</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 13 points, 5 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>The versatile 6-foot-7 face-up forward made a strong impression on the offensive end. He went inside for an over-the-shoulder finish but mainly attacked from the perimeter. Suever can space the floor, either shooting or attacking in a straight line. He dons a hefty knee brace, yet remains mobile. Keeps the ball high on put-backs. Natural scoring touch. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-thorbahn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Josh Thorbahn</a> (2021) | 6-5 SG | Ottoville</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 15 points, 6 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Thorbahn is a big guard that impressed handling the ball in the open floor and making difficult shots. He has developed a go-to move in the step-back, which was effective when he got deep into the mid-range. If he chooses the right fit, Thorbahn could potentially be a go-to scorer at the next level who defends wings and stretch bigs.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rayvon-griffith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rayvon Griffith</a> (2023) | 6-5 SF | Taft</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 21 points, 16 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>I feel like this eval should be written in ALL CAPS. It was a coming-out party for Ohio's top freshman prospect!</p> <p>He is a prototypical wing athlete with a projectable frame and natural athletic prowess. Limitless potential as a defender. Showed development in his skill-set when it comes to shooting the ball, handling, and finishing with creativity. Used stutter steps and other skilled gathers to free up shots at the rim. He can also hang in the air and finish on the way down if he meets someone at the rim.  Plays <em>hard</em>, which is obviously a great sign. Blew me away on several of his rebounds. Played with poise when Thurgood had momentum.</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><br /> <strong><em>stats: 19 points, 9 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Smith thrived in the open floor and on post-ups, which speaks to the unsigned senior's versatility. In the first half, he showcased the skill and touch in the mid-range — finessed short jumpers and a few different floaters. Made plays leading the break off the glass. Good vision for a forward. In the second half, though, the game got close and he went put his back to the basket. Smith scored at will on step-throughs and power moves. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mekhi-elmore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mekhi Elmore</a> (2022) | 6-0 PG | Thurgood Marshall</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 17 points</em></strong></h6> <p>Elmore makes shots that have a high degree of difficulty. He can create separation and immediately pull off the dribble. Quick lefty shooting release. Talented slasher, too, who finds the crease in the defense and finishes from all angles. Pops off the floor when he jumps. One of the top handful of lead guards in the 2022 class already. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/camron-mckenzie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CamRon McKenzie</a> (2021) | 6-2 SG | Hughes</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 14 points, 4 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>One of the most improved juniors in Ohio. McKenzie was more a wing scorer last year who made straight-line-drives and hit open shots. Now, he can get a bucket from pretty much all zones. He flashed a mid-post game. Hit 3-pointers from around the top of the key. Scored on an elusive transition move. Sound offensive player who can run the 1 or 2. Came off screens ready to shoot. He's the go-to guy and definitely looks to score, yet didn't force bad shots.</p> <p>How did he defend? <em>Hard</em>. McKenzie guarded forwards and fought. Good positional rebounder who can win battles in traffic. McKenzie looks bigger than6-foot-2 and carries a college-ready frame. He stepped in for a charge in the third quarter — a physical charge at that — came up hobbled and never returned. It was the turning point in their loss, as Hughes couldn't score without the junior. </p> <h6><strong>Malachi Parker (2022) | 5-11 SG | Fairmont</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 16 points</em></strong></h6> <p><em>Clutch!</em> Parker scored seven points in the fourth quarter, namely the game-winning layup with 15.2 seconds remaining. On top of that, he nailed a fade-away 3-pointer to beat the third-quarter buzzer. Finished several shots surrounded by bodies. Came up huge, feeding off the energy of the crowd.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>New Names</strong></em></h4> <h6><strong>Lebraun Berry (2022) | 6-3 SF | Aiken</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 7 points, 5 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>A young wing with intriguing size and athleticism. Berry is a hard-working defender who took his one-on-one matchup very seriously, battling for positioning and sitting down on the ball. Needs to develop an offensive game.</p> <h6><strong>Koraun Perdue (2021) | 6-7 C | Aiken</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Perdue has a raw frame ready to add muscle. His size is the most appealing trait right now as anyone 6-foot-7 who can move their feet will draw attention. With experience, Perdue should be able to make quicker reads and get in position for help-side defense and rebounds. Runs the floor with a good stride.</p> <h6><strong>Sean Menker (2020 | 6-1 PG | Chaminade Julienne</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 9 points, 3 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>On top of earning the scholarship during halftime for a his 3.95 GPA and impact in the community, Menker had a nice day on the floor. He's a knock-down shooter with a stop-and-start game off the dribble. He can get to his spots inside and make kick-outs. Plays very hard defensively. Drew a charge and is quick enough to stay in front of opposing point guards. </p> <h6><strong>Xavier Smith (2021) | 6-5 SF | Gamble</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 11 points, 5 rebounds</em></strong></h6> <p>Smith showed flashes, particularly during his eight-point first quarter where he hit two 3-pointers and dunked it in transition. His wiry, undeveloped frame is cause for excitement, to go with the shooting. As he adds muscle, Smith should be more effective attacking the basket.</p> <h6><strong>William Miller (2022) | 5-10 PG | Ottoville</strong><br /> <strong><em>stats: 2 points, 7 assists</em></strong></h6> <p>Miller is a skilled ball-handler with a pass-first mindset. Creative passer who fit assists into tight windows while narrowly avoiding outstretched arms in passing lanes. Quick. A more consistent jumper by the time he's a senior would be helpful in drawing college interest.</p>