Top 10 Columbus City League Sleeper Players

The Columbus City League has a rich history of producing professional basketball players, rather it be overseas or the National Basketball Association. Names like Herb Williams, Jared Sullinger, Trey Burke, and Chris Johnson have all made contributions on the highest level. As much as this city loves and respects them, Columbus has always been built on the Tihon Johnson’s, the Devon Moore’s and the countless others (that would be a 15-page declaration if I named them and all of their great work) that made impacts in every professional league they played in. This list of guys are not the top of the top recruits (and it does not matter what grade they are in) but by the end of this season the city and colleges alike will know their name and more importantly, their game. This list has no grade limit to it, but all of these young men will look to fulfill their potential this upcoming season. 10. Zion Blevins; Junior - Walnut Ridge: Starting opposite [player_tooltip player_id="800892" first="Qian" last="Magwood"] as a sophomore will put a different spotlight on you, and Zion Blevins is the type of shooter that should not feel that pressure. Blevins was not the usual starting during the regular season but made an impact whenever he got the chance, including a 16-point outburst in a game this season. Blevins will prove this upcoming season that he can be a go-to shooter that colleges can depend on. 9. Aaron Lawson; Junior - Eastmoor: Lawson is an intriguing player, he has long arms and good instincts. This young man will be relied upon to guard the opposing team’s best scorer while chipping in between 10-15 points per game. Lawson plays the passing lanes better than most and has quick hands to take the ball away from someone. The lefty is primed to have a breakout season for a Warrior team that is planning on making a run to the Columbus City League south title. 8. Keshawn Harris; Senior - Independence: One of the best passers in the Columbus City League south, Harris is a lefty that gets to the basket consistently with his craft and not his blazing speed. The senior has proven he can lead a team and never gets rattled by the defense. His consistent play has helped keep Independence in games. This upcoming season should be his moment to step out the shadows and prove himself as an elite guard in his division. 7. Mehki Jarrett; Senior - Mifflin: “Quicker than a hiccup,” is a phrase best used for this young man. When Jarrett gets the ball in his hand the defense better try to catch-up because he can go coast-to-coast as quicker than anyone. The 5-foot-7 dynamo can finish at the rim better than most his size, and he averaged close to 8 points per game as an undervalued part of the offense. Jarrett will have the ball in his hand as usual this upcoming season and will improve his scoring and his passing will continue to shine, look for this young man’s game to make people realize that he should be taken seriously. 6. Maurice Barnes; Senior - South: This left handed guard has waited his turn to shine and his senior season should be the one. Barnes is 5-foot-11 and is faster than you would think with the ball in his hands and uses his mid-range jumper to keep you honest. He is able to defend any guard in the city of Columbus because of his size and the talent he has faced in practice the last few seasons. If the South High School Bulldogs have a big season, expect for Barnes’ impact to be plentiful. 5. Tashaun Ivery; Senior - West: Only playing in eight games, Ivery proved should be taken seriously. He averaged 13.5 points per game and busted out a 35-point performance as well. Ivery is 6-foot-1 and can handle the ball really well, his jump shot is consistent and his athleticism is noticeable from a mile away. If Ivery can play more than eight games he could be amongst the top scorers in the Columbus City League south division. 4. Caleb Brigle; Senior - Whetstone: The heart and soul of this basketball team, a guard who does not quit and a relentless competitor. Although he finished 4th in the Columbus City League north in scoring with 17.4 points per game, most people do not know his name or his game. With more help around him, Brigle can become more efficient and actually increase his scoring. The 5-foot-11 hooper could be the best shooter in Columbus and is fearless in his shot selection. Brigle’s name will be apart of huge scoring outputs in the 2020-2021 basketball season. 3. Shamarion Rogers; Senior - Linden: The 6-foot-4 post player that averaged close to 14 points per game last season will hopefully take the next step and begin to shoot the midrange jumper more in the 2020-2021 season. Rogers may have been the key to Linden McKinley reaching the Columbus City League championship game. Rogers can score and rebound pretty well amongst players taller than him that play down low. This young man can defend at a very level, doing so without fouling. Fueling the defensive effort of the Panthers, Rogers can be one of the most slept on players in Columbus. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="922605" first="Dailyn" last="Swain"]; Sophomore - Africentric: Dripping in talent, his freshman year was full of eye-opening displays and everyone reading this better get to know him now. This 6-foot-6 young man can dribble as well as any guard in the Columbus City League and showed flashes of scoring abilities beyond his years. Swain never seemed out of place as a freshman and will only get better as he gets stronger. If you are a gambling man or woman, place some futures on [player_tooltip player_id="922605" first="Dailyn" last="Swain"]. 1. Travonne Jackson; Senior - Dohn Prep (formerly Centennial): How can the guy that averaged just over 20 points per game be slept on? Easy, he only played in 8 games and he has shown his full arsenal. Jackson may turn out to be the best player in the Columbus City League north, and nobody knows that yet. This senior can shoot from any area on the court and get to the basket in a way that makes him seem unstoppable on offense. If you are reading this and do not know who this young man is, get real familiar.