Nike Cup: Top Players
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This weekend I was at the Nike Cup in Columbus. This article will cover the top players I saw at this event. Alier Maluk (2025) – F/C 6’10 – Imani Christian Academy – All-Ohio Red 15u Allier Maluk is special.…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend I was at the Nike Cup in Columbus. This article will cover the top players I saw at this event.
Alier Maluk (2025) – F/C 6’10 – Imani Christian Academy – All-Ohio Red 15u
Allier Maluk is special. The 6’10 sophomore to be is someone you watch and just know he is simply different. Very long and tall big that moves very well. Gets up and down the court smoothly. He dunks with ease and gets every single board that comes in his direction. He has a very impressive post-game. I loved how he demanded the ball on the block and always made the right play. Great touch around the rim. On the defensive end, he blocks everything. When he switches onto a guard he uses his length phenomenally. Maluk can shoot it too. He has a very smooth jumper that he rarely uses but when he does it puts your jaw on the ground. He hit multiple fadeaways this weekend. Unbelievable talent and prospect.
Brandon Roddy Brandon Roddy 6'1" | PG Harvest Prep | 2025 State OH (2025) – G – Harvest Prep – All-Ohio Select 15u
My second time seeing Roddy play this grassroots season and he impressed me even more. He faced All-Ohio Red 15u the game I watched him play and he single-handedly almost beat them. He controlled the game and the defensive pressure very well. Attacked their pressure consistently. Getting to the rim and showed off his great touch around the rim. Made great passes to his teammates when the defense collapsed on him. I loved how he lead his team through communication and by example. High IQ kid that I am a big fan of.
Dorian Jones Dorian Jones 6'4" | SG Richmond Heights | 2025 State #61 Nation OH (2025) – W/G 6’4 – Richmond Heights – All-Ohio Red 15u
Jones is another player that left me thoroughly impressed. He is a very long and wirey quick player with freakish leaping ability. Jones has multiple highlight-level dunks this weekend. During his tournament game against All-Ohio Select, he got hot. He hit multiple threes and did it on the move, catch and shoot, along with off the dribble. I loved the defensive intensity he brought as well. Great on-ball pressure and used his length to get in the opponent’s shorts. He was also great on help side and trapping the ball. Used his length and athletic ability great all weekend.
Cortez Freeman Cortez Freeman 6'2" | SG Africentric | 2024 State OH (2024) – G 6’2 – Canal Winchester- All-Ohio Red 16u
Freeman is a flat-out bucket. A three-level scorer but really showcased his shooting ability this weekend. He hit multiple threes this weekend and was a threat from deep. He showed an impressive ability to consistently hit shots in the defender’s face. Loved his mid-range pull-up game. Freeman did a very good job of passing this weekend. Making really good plays for his teammates and made difficult passes while doing so. Freeman is a player!
Calvin Little Calvin Little 6'2" | PG Garfield Heights | 2024 State OH Jr. (2024) – G 6’3 – St. Ignatius – All-Ohio Red 16u
Little is a point guard you want running your team. Has a great handle on the ball and the game. Consistently makes the right play and just knows how to run a team. Great passer and distributor. Very fast and quick with a great change of speed ability that allows him to blow by defenders. I like his size for a point guard. He has great finishing ability and touches around the rim as well.