Division II and NAIA recruiting update from Ohio’s 2023 class

We’ve spent a lot of time focusing on the recruitment of Division I bound prospects but there’s some high level talent already committed to Division II and NAIA programs. In this article we’re going to take a look at which schools are making the biggest splashes already.

West Liberty grabs guard duo

Kyler D’Augustino Kyler D’Augustino 6'1" | CG Albany Alexander | 2023 State OH and Terrance Pankey Jr Terrance Pankey Jr 6'0" | PG Ursuline | 2023 State OH were two of the most sought after guards in Ohio by scholarship programs. Both players had a lot of interest but West Liberty grabbed the pair early in the recruiting cycle for Division II programs and has their backcourt of the future locked up.

Hillsdale takes three from Ohio

Hillsdale has made a big mark recruiting in Ohio and has already secured the commitments of three Ohio prospects in the 2023 class. Those prospects are Logan Beaston Logan Beaston 6'4" | SG Tiffin Columbian | 2023 State OH , Connor Stonebraker Connor Stonebraker 6'7" | PF Versailles | 2023 State OH and Mikey McCollum Mikey McCollum 6'3" | PG Olentangy Orange | 2023 State OH . Hillsdale has been one of the top Division II programs in the Midwest recently and these players will only make them stronger in the next couple years.

Guards committing early

With the number of guards looking for scholarship offers, some offers will be tough to come by as the recruiting cycle gets closer to teams looking in the transfer portal. Some class of 2023 guards who jumped on scholarship offers include Jack Kronauge Jack Kronauge 6'2" | SG Lakota East | 2023 State OH , Jordan Edwards Jordan Edwards 6'2" | PG Olentangy Orange | 2023 State OH , Anthony Ruffolo Anthony Ruffolo 6'1" | PG Kettering Alter | 2023 State OH and Brady Hardewig Brady Hardewig 6'1" | SG Turpin | 2023 State OH .

GMAC powers grab wing studs

A pair of wings with numerous offers made their decisions to commit to GMAC powers as Ayden Carter Ayden Carter 6'4" | SG Fremont Ross | 2023 State OH is off to Walsh and Will Aljancic Will Aljancic 6'6" | SF Louisville | 2023 State OH announced earlier today he is headed to Findlay. Both of these prospects will likely average around 25 PPG this winter and have the talent to make immediate impacts at the next level.

Taylor grabs SW Ohio duo

A pair of prospects from southwest Ohio are headed to Taylor as Julian Mitchell Julian Mitchell 6'5" | SF Lakota East | 2023 State OH and Izaiah Day Izaiah Day 6'2" | SG Middletown | 2023 State OH both committed early in the recruiting cycle. Mitchell was a top performer from the Prep Hoops Circuit while Day has the chance to break out for a Middletown squad looking to make a leap in the GMC.

Two more wings staying in state at NAIA programs

The final two prospects committed to NAIA programs are both staying in state as Germainn Marshall Germainn Marshall 6'4" | SF Garfield Heights | 2023 State OH will be going to Wilberforce and Cyan Ervin Cyan Ervin 6'4" | SF Wellston | 2023 State OH to Rio Grande. Look for both of these programs to continue to be active in recruiting Ohio prospects in the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes.

What about Division III recruiting?

Division III recruiting typically takes the longest as most players wait to commit until midway or after their high school season. One prospect from Ohio has already committed to a Division III program and that’s Justin Wypasek Justin Wypasek 5'10" | PG Strongsville | 2023 State OH from Strongsville. A tough but undersized guard, Wypasek has the physical profile and work ethic that many successful small college guards have had.