Ohio’s 2024 Breakout Player Candidates
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Prep Hoops is committed to keeping our readers informed heading into the high school basketball season and we’re hitting some hot topic issues in all fifty states. The next hot topic issue is breakout player candidates from every state. In…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops is committed to keeping our readers informed heading into the high school basketball season and we’re hitting some hot topic issues in all fifty states. The next hot topic issue is breakout player candidates from every state. In this article, we’ll feature five 2024 prospects who could breakout and make a name for themselves this winter.
Already a known name on the grassroots circuit, Mahaffey is committed to Akron after a really strong summer for Moeller in June and with All Ohio Red in July. Despite this commitment and the talent he has, his brother is at Ohio State, Mahaffey didn’t put up huge numbers as a Junior with Moeller. A late blooming prospect who is young for his grade, Mahaffey is set to take off as a senior and become one of the most feared players in the GCL this winter. He’s going to be a key if Moeller wants to get back to the glory they held a few seasons ago.
Another prospect who really improved his stock during the grassroots season, Cady is coming off a strong season for Marion Harding but this could be the year where the Presidents end up playing a role in the central district Division I playoffs with the combo of Cady, Marquis Long Marquis Long 6’2″ | SG Marion Harding | 2024 State OH and other talented pieces. Since the end of his junior season, Cady has grown, gotten more explosive and is shooting the ball with a lot of confidence.
Highlights
Bigs usually take longer to develop, and Glass seems like he might finally be hitting his stride as a prospect. The flashes he showed during the grassroots season running the floor and knocking down the occasional perimeter shot showed a glimpse of what Glass could become. Combine that with his size and impressive physical tools, and Glass is a prospect whose best basketball is ahead of him. The Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference always has big time talent and Glass could become a household name this winter in that league.
Saint Ignatius lost some talented seniors to graduation and a couple transfers left this off-season, but the Wildcats have a ton of talent coming through the pipeline and few prospects have waited for their opportunity like Zapolnik has. After playing a complimentary role off the bench as a Junior, Zapolnik was dynamite during the month of June in summer league and live period action. Big time games at Philly Live and Midwest Live showed what fans can expect from Zapolnik this winter. If you don’t know about Zapolnik yet, you’ll be well aware of his game before the playoffs come around.
Brush has been one of the top programs in northeast Ohio at developing college talent and King is a classic late bloomer who has improved year over year playing for Chet Mason. He really showed off his natural ability and athleticism at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Columbus back in the fall and I expect him to play a big role for the Arcs this winter. A forward who gets better each time I watch him play and will have an opportunity to star after the graduation of talented seniors, I think King will be a name everybody in northeast Ohio knows sooner rather than later.