Ohio 2023 Spring Grassroots Recap

<p>The grassroots spring season has wrapped up and that brings us to June where the high school teams take center stage once again. We aren’t focusing on the future; we’re going to be recapping what happened in April and May on the class of 2023 / 17 U level.</p> <p>Who are the top ranked prospects?</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="867951" first="Devin" last="Royal"] has continued to establish himself as a national name, dominating on the EYBL circuit last weekend in Louisville scoring 20+ points in four of five contests. Royal has picked up a ton of interest from high major college programs, BIG 10 programs Rutgers, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois have all offered in 2022 while in state programs like Ohio State and Xavier are recruiting Royal heavily.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="922605" first="Dailyn" last="Swain"] is another prospect who has lots of high major interest and has played well on the EYBL circuit next to Royal and a host of other Ohio natives for an All Ohio Red 17 U squad that currently sits at 8-5 in the EYBL.</p> <p>Who’s coming, who’s leaving?</p> <p>The biggest name to join Ohio’s 2023 class is [player_tooltip player_id="1043600" first="George" last="Washington III"], Washington comes from Louisville where he established himself as a nationally ranked prospect. Washington recently announced he’d be playing his senior season at Chaminade Julienne with his two younger brothers. Washington will likely come across grassroots teammate [player_tooltip player_id="867949" first="Lawrent" last="Rice"] during the high school season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="867936" first="Rayvon" last="Griffith"] will be leaving Ohio for his senior season, headed west to AZ Compass Prep. Griffith will only be gone for one season as he’s already announced that he’ll be returning home and becoming a University of Cincinnati Bearcat. Griffith has been a huge addition to Midwest Basketball Club, joining what [player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"] and Reed Sheppard have built during last grassroots season. Midwest Basketball Club is 6-2 on the 3SSB circuit and has impressed at other major non-shoe circuit events.</p> <p>Who’s already committed?</p> <p>Griffith and Washington are both staying in state, with Griffith going to Cincinnati and Washington to Ohio State. There’s another Buckeye commit staying in state and that’s [player_tooltip player_id="1052783" first="Austin" last="Parks"]. Parks has been a huge piece for the growth of the Ohio Buckets program and helped them win the All Ohio Super 16 event in May. In addition to these prospects, [player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"] is Indiana bound while his Midwest Basketball Club teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1052781" first="Donovan" last="Hunter"] is currently committed to Kent State. Finally, [player_tooltip player_id="867929" first="Marlon" last="Barnes"] is going to be a Pitt Panther, joining former Brush standout John Hugley.</p> <p>Who’s getting offers?</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1052782" first="Chase" last="Walker"] has added offers from Toledo, Liberty and College of Charleston. Walker has a unique game with a massive frame and impressive passing and post skills. He appears to be a mid-major priority at the center position.</p> <p>Outside of the Division I level, [player_tooltip player_id="976068" first="Solomon" last="Callaghan"] is the hottest prospect in the state. Callaghan holds offers from Ohio Division II powers like Findlay, Walsh and Cedarville. Callaghan has a great GPA and has been prioritized by numerous schools as their top point guard target in the 2023 class.</p> <p>Who has stood out on the Prep Hoops Circuit?</p> <p>R4L has the top current ranking among Ohio squads on the Prep Hoops Grit Region. [player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"], [player_tooltip player_id="1225050" first="Lebron" last="Bennie-Powell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1271102" first="Cooper" last="Matthews"] are marquee prospects to watch on their team.</p> <p>CLP Elite has a lot of small school talent, [player_tooltip player_id="1456985" first="Cale" last="Rammel"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1456984" first="Parker" last="Davidson"] are all-state studs.</p> <p>CCB is filled with Toledo city league stars, their biggest being [player_tooltip player_id="922595" first="Romel" last="Hightower"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1164623" first="Stone" last="Edwards"].</p> <p>The last team with an above .500 record is Hopson Elite. [player_tooltip player_id="1183906" first="Ayden" last="Carter"] has been dominant, and the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id="1324901" first="Antwaun" last="Hathcock"] has been exciting to watch.</p>