Top candidates for Mr Basketball

Michael Roth November 11, 2021 @ 02:42 PM

Sean Jones Sean Jones 5'10" | PG Gahanna | 2022 State #102 Nation OH , 5'10 PG Gahanna 2022: Jones has to be the favorite for this award as he's one of the most talented players in the state on one of the best teams and should put up great numbers. Jones and Gahanna have been one of the most consistent teams in the state the past two seasons, could they get over the hump and win a regional title this season? Time will tell.

Sencire Harris Sencire Harris 6'4" | PG St. Vincent-St. Mary | 2022 State #79 Nation OH , 6'5 PG STVM 2022: Harris has been the robin to Malaki Branham's batman, but Harris the hero this season. STVM is one of the most storied programs in Ohio and Harris has the talent to lead his team to another state title push. With a schedule that features some national competition, Harris will be one to watch for this award.

Josiah Harris Josiah Harris 6'7" | PF Richmond Heights | 2022 State #243 Nation OH , 6'7 PF Richmond Heights 2022: Harris was a monster in the EYBL and with a nice mix of senior and underclassmen talent at Richmond Heights, Harris is in a position to dominate on a team that will stay in the headlines this season. We'll see if Harris can win Mr. Basketball and potentially a state title before heading to Morgantown.

Paul McMillan IV Paul McMillan IV 6'2" | PG Woodward | 2022 State #229 Nation OH , 6'2 PG Woodward 2022: McMillan is one of the top scorers in Ohio and lives at the free-throw line. He originally planned on transferring to a prep school in Arizona but seems to be back at Woodward. If McMillan is eligible all season, he'll certainly have a case for Mr. Basketball.

Elmore James Elmore James 6'4" | SG Brush | 2022 State OH , 6'4 SG Brush 2022: James averaged almost 30 PPG as a Junior and with Marlon Barnes Jr. Marlon Barnes Jr. 6'6" | SF Brush | 2023 State #161 Nation OH back in the fold, Brush is one of the most talented teams in Ohio. If James can continue to put up crazy scoring numbers and help the Arcs make a deep playoff run, he could be a candidate for this award.

Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH , 6'7 C Beechcroft 2022: Lyles has dominated the Columbus City league during his career and is expected to average around 25 and 10 this season. Lyles is a match-up nightmare at the high school level with his mobility and ability to score around the basket. Lyles is going for a second straight city league title and maybe a Mr. Basketball award?

Rayvon Griffith Rayvon Griffith 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #78 Nation AZ , 6'5 SF Taft 2023: Taft is LOADED this year and are my favorites to win the Division III state title. Griffith has been impressive every time I've seen him with Taft and with their up tempo offense, Griffith could put up insane stats this season. After making the final four without Mekhi Elmore Mekhi Elmore 6'1" | PG Thurgood Marshallchooligh | 2022 State OH for their playoff run, Taft has reason to think they can go the distance in 2021-22.

Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH , 6'1 PG Centerville 2023: Cupps leads the preseason favorite to be the best team in the state. After dominating playing up an age group with Midwest Basketball Club, Cupps gets to run it back this winter with Rich Rolf Rich Rolf 6'6" | PF Centerville | 2022 State OH , Tom House Tom House 6'5" | SF Centerville | 2022 State OH and company. It'll be interesting to see if anybody can knock Centerville off this season.

Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH , 6'6 SF Africentric 2023: Swain didn't get the chance to play as many games as a sophomore as fans would've hoped for due to COVID. After showing out in the EYBL, Swain is taking the next step to becoming a nationally ranked prospect. I expect Swain to dominate as a Junior and could lead Africentric to a City League title game against Beechcroft.

Devin Royal Devin Royal 6'6" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State #49 Nation OH , 6'6 PF Pickerington Central 2023: Royal was the breakout star from Ohio at the Peach Jam. With improved explosiveness and jump-shot, Royal is expected to take a major scoring leap as a Junior. Pickerington Central is also expected to be one of the best teams in central Ohio this season, Royal is a big part of their success.