Run N Slam: Mike’s 2024 Stock Risers
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The Bill Hensley Run N Slam brought out many of the top teams from around the midwest to compete in Fort Wayne, Indiana last weekend. In this article we’ll take a look at six stock risers from Ohio in the…
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Continue ReadingThe Bill Hensley Run N Slam brought out many of the top teams from around the midwest to compete in Fort Wayne, Indiana last weekend. In this article we’ll take a look at six stock risers from Ohio in the class of 2024.
A steady contributor, Heiss had an efficient weekend for Midwest Basketball Club Quinn last weekend. In pool play, Heiss averaged 16.7 PPG and was shooting 60% from the field. An impressive sniper from 3-point range, Heiss converted on nine 3-pointers in the three pool play games. With his shot-making and poise as a lead guard, Heiss continues to impress and projects as a priority recruit for small college programs in the 2024 class from central Ohio.
Highlights
Nigro had an impressive performance in a back-and-forth game against Shining Star Price (White) in the one game his Midwest Basketball Club Cleveland squad dropped in pool play. Steadily working on his catch-and-shoot game, Nigro converted on two triples in the one game I caught. One of the more impressive plays of the day came when Nigro attacked the rim and made a nasty reverse layup with his right hand. A strong player, defenders consistently bounce off Nigro when he’s attacking the paint leading to tons of free throw opportunities for Nigro. I thought the pair of Nigro and Tommy Morgan Tommy Morgan 6’5″ | SF Brunswick | 2024 State OH were impressive in that game, as Morgan showed some impressive attacks of closeouts and finishes at the rim.
Highlights
One of the more competitive kids in Ohio’s 2024 class, Shrout gives it his all every time I watch him compete. A big-time scorer, Shrout was creating a majority of the offense for Wildcat Select, who were down a few players this weekend. Hitting a deep 3-pointer to start the game against Nova Village and then a few more contested 3-pointers, it was an impressive shooting display from a wing who’s rising his stock on the 3SSB circuit. Shrout also hit a half-court buzzer-beater that gave his team some momentum at the halftime break. As a slasher, Shrout had an impressive finish where he extended with his right hand to avoid the shot blocker. Shrout has a handful of low to mid major offers already with a few programs making him a major priority in their 2024 recruiting efforts.
I caught TNBA -Ohio on the first night as they got an impressive overtime victory over Denard Bros. Raymond-Smith was very active on both ends of the court and found himself in the right spot over and over again. With this nose for the ball, he was able to grab a bunch of offensive rebounds and extend possessions for his team. Shooting the 3-pointer with confidence, his floor spacing was crucial for the slashers on his team. I also thought Raymond-Smith showed soft touch on floaters and other shots around the rim. A guy who just plays really hard and makes plays, Raymond-Smith and TNBA -Ohio are worth a watch for scholarship programs and Division III schools.
I only got to see about a half of Thompson this weekend as I was waiting for his game to finish but he was incredibly impressive for Hidden Gems as they found a way to grind out an overtime victory. A forward with impressive feet and soft touch around the rim, Thompson does a lot of damage in the paint offensively. With his size, athleticism and ability to finish off two feet, Thompson isn’t a flashy player but very effective. After an impressive season in the Columbus City League, Thompson is continuing to impress and should be a small college target.
Johnson was a prospect I haven’t seen play in almost a year after not being able to catch a Worthington Christian game this winter. Johnson has gotten stronger since the last time I saw him and was overpowering defenders in the paint. Sometimes struggling to finish at the rim, Johnson wasn’t struggling to be physical in the paint and get shots up near the paint. A needed addition to Nova’s 17 U squad, his height and toughness was needed to guard opposing bigs and rebound. Johnson also flashed some shooting ability with a couple mid-range shots and time and space 3-pointers. Nova’s 17 U squad has been impressing on the UA Rise circuit this spring and Johnson is one of a handful of prospects for small college programs to be checking out.