Stock rising guards from 2024 Rankings Update
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Our 2024 rankings update saw some prospects make leaps up the rankings after strong showings in the summer. In this article we’ll break down five guards who improved their stock and got a deserved rankings bump in the process. Carter…
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Continue ReadingOur 2024 rankings update saw some prospects make leaps up the rankings after strong showings in the summer. In this article we’ll break down five guards who improved their stock and got a deserved rankings bump in the process.
One of two committed players who rode a strong summer surge into making a commitment at the next level. Jackson had a really solid showing at Midwest Live where his defensive ability and transition scoring talents made him a very impactful wing guard prospect. Canisius already has an Ohio guard on their roster in former Sandusky standout Tahj Staveskie. Jackson will provide toughness and the ability to guard the ball at the next level. With his move to Garfield Heights, the Bulldogs should once again have one of the toughest defenses in the state.
Highlights
Another committed prospect rising up our ranks is Laukhuf who committed to new Ohio Dominican Head Coach Casey Kaufman. Laukhuf brings good size to the guard position and is capable of playing on or off the ball with the ability to knock down shots off the catch or dribble. One of the more productive small school talents in the state, Laukhuf helped Wayne Trace to a miracle upset of Toledo Emmanuel Christian in the district finals. Laukhuf will be a prospect who helps win games at the Division II level and help start the turnaround of an Ohio Dominican program that hasn’t won double digit games since 2019-20.
Another prospect from the Ohio Buckets program that continues to develop scholarship talent, Dawson is one of the top shooters in the state. Another guard who helped his stock during Midwest Live, Dawson unofficially led Midwest Live in scoring at 29.5 PPG. A priority for Division II schools around the region, Dawson has five offers with Ashland being his latest. Another prospect that will flat out help you win games at the Division II level, Dawson can impact the game in a variety of ways with his shooting being his signature skill.
Zapolnik is a guy who is waiting to breakout as a senior for a Saint Ignatius squad that should have state title aspirations. A quick guard who can get where he wants and hits his spots with ease with the ball in his hands, Zapolnik can really create for himself. A point guard who defends and sets the table for his teammates, old school coaches will love the way he plays the game. Recently announced an offer from Denison, look for scholarship programs to start sniffing around Zapolnik this winter. If those programs back off, expect the best of the best Division III schools in the region to fight for Zapolnik’s commitment in the spring.
Martin, the son of Westerville Central Head Coach and former Big South Player of the Year Kevin Martin, has had an impressive summer with Nova Village on the UA Rise Circuit. A guard who just makes plays on both ends, Martin is a tough point of attack defender. Showing improved confidence shooting off the bounce and creating for himself, Martin plays with impressive pace and takes care of the basketball. Wheaton is the first school Martin has posted an offer from, but I know other Division III programs very interested in recruiting him. Expect his recruitment to take shape later this fall and into the winter as Westerville Central has a chance to be one of the top teams in Columbus with an experienced core of returning production.