Columbus City League Stock Risers Pt. 2

This list wasn’t big enough for one part, with the number of basketball players playing this summer from the Columbus City League it is not surprising that so many young men have gotten better over the summer. Add in the fact that most of them have been working hard since the beginning of the pandemic and the results are flying all over the courts of the state of Ohio. Tabree Beacham- Northland: Beacham is rounding into form as a player right now, developing at a steady pace and becoming a solid prospect in the process. Playing for Ohio Varsity, this young man has packed on some muscle that will help him take the banging when driving in the lane in the Columbus City League north. As he keeps getting better, he should be able to keep the same drive in him because he is all over the floor diving for loose balls and getting his hands up to deflect passes. Beachem’s jumper has gotten better as well according to the schools that have been watching him closely, being more consistent from mid range and becoming a real threat from the three. Mehki Jarrett- Mifflin: This summer has shown schools and scouts alike what the entire Columbus City League already knew, this young man is among the best point guards in the city. Jarrett has led his Hidden Gems team this entire summer and did it in a graceful way, orchestrating the offense like a seasoned vet. Increased range has given him an edge because of how easy he can get around defenders, he can no longer be sagged off of or else he will rise up and bury three pointers all night long. In transition he is still elite, using his speed and small stature to get by people for easy lay-ups and adding in his passing skills makes him one of the better transition players in the league. Jarrett will look to continually increase as a player before the season starts and lead his Punchers in the Columbus City League north. [player_tooltip player_id="1041815" first="Leon" last="Douglas"]- Walnut Ridge: His body change as he’s gotten older has been outstanding, transforming himself from a kid with some pudge to a long and rangy potential three and D type of player. His ability to hit open jumpers has always been in his bag but he getting really good at using the pump fake to drive to the bucket. Finishing at the basket could be better for him but the fact that he can put the ball on the floor is reaching a different level for him. Coaches have enjoyed his ability to stay in front of his man in one on one situations, using his length to bother ball handlers. Sliding into that wing position at Walnut Ridge will be interesting coming off an amazing season for the Scots, his increased role will lend to more schools noticing him. His experience in big games should give him a chance to shine in big moments, something he has not done up to this point in his high school career. Ibrahima Dia- Independence: Coaches love players who you never need to run a play for, and this young man is a good example of this. Dia is all hustle, grabbing rebounds and diving for loose balls with a purpose. Really good rebounding instincts with really good leaping ability that allows him to tip in misses from teammates. Once he puts on more wieght, he will be better at finishing through contact. An underrated area of his game (and one that is rarely spoken of in basketball) is his ability to set screens, he is solid with his stance and rolls to the rim hard after. Dia has been playing well in the Columbus City League 270 Hoops open run sessions lately as well. [player_tooltip player_id="805210" first="Eli" last="Burke"]-Africentric: One of the best players in the Columbus City League had an official offer from Central State recently, showing how much his stock has risen over the summer. Said to be an amazing young man, Burke explodes to your eyes when you see him on a basketball court. Whether it’s quickly slashing to the bucket or hitting jumpers off the dribble, he can get it done. Jumps way higher than you think and will try to finish in the paint against anybody, crazy thing is, he do it! Burke also uses his strength on defense to not allow the ball handler around him, he also has quick hands which lend him to getting easy transition baskets. This summer has treated this young man very well, hopefully the fall will continue to do the same. [player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"]- Beechcroft: The best big man in the Columbus City League stock has risen to a point where he has gotten an official offer from Cleveland State, showing that his dominance this summer has paid off. Becoming a reliable ball handler, many of his summer highlights have come courtesy of him bringing the ball up and scoring in transition or showing off his improved passing skills. Lyles ruled this summer defensively as well, changing games in the paint and making all ball handlers think twice before coming into his territory. Splashing onto radars before his junior season, Lyles has shown that he will put in the work to become the best player he can be. In the 270 Hoops open run, he is has not shown anything other than dominance, taking over games on both sides of the court and is looking to continue his momentum into this fall’s basketball season.