2020 Watch List: Trends
Following yesterday’s premier of the Prep Hoops Ohio 2020 Watch List, it’s time to dig a little deeper into the individual prospects.
We’re assuming that most of you readers haven’t watched these kids in action quite as much as us this spring. That’s totally fine, as we’re willing and eager to catch you up to speed with a series of analysis-driven articles about the class.
At this time, even so early in their careers, we’ve noticed some over-arching trends amongst the 90 prospects listed.
Flexible/Position-less “Wings”
Other than the point guards and two-guards, there’s not a lot of kids we’re pigeonholing into a certain position right now. This trend especially applies to kids who are about 6’3” and over who can bruise around inside while also playing the perimeter on offense.
For example, take Dante’ Wheeler from Elida. Wheeler, the other weekend in Akron at the Dru Joyce Classic, often transitioned from a defensive rebound into the primary ball-handler. At one point in the weekend, late on Saturday night, he actually became the point guard for Northwest Ohio Basketball Club and controlled the offense all game. At 6’4”, Wheeler can also hit hook shots inside with either hand and excels at absorbing contact for and-one opportunities.
What position is Wheeler?
We’re sure a lot of people will have opinions about it when they watch Wheeler. But, we’re starting to feel like the “answer” to that question is becoming less relevant.
Another example of this is Devontae Blanton, who plays for Lakewood St. Edward and All Ohio Red EYBL. Blanton does it all. In any given game or moment, he can be caught playing five different positions, and he does them all quite well. While Blanton fits some roles better than others, we’re pretty sure the 2-5 positions are in play at the next level.
Again, we will all have opinions on what position these kids should be listed at. However, the only person’s opinion that is going to matter at the end of the day is their eventual college coach. Until then, the debate goes on for a lot of these 2020 Ohio prospects.
Lack of “True Post Players”
This is obviously a related point to the one above. However, the kids we’re referring to in the previous section are mainly wings and combo forwards, with someone like Devontae Blanton (who can play 1-5 right now) being the exception.
Basically, even within that group, there’s not many traditional post guys.
Here’s actually the entire list of such players: Zach Loveday (6’11”), John Hugley (6’9”), Jackson Ames (6’9”), Darrion Henry (6’4”), Harley Day (6’5”), Hayden Stone (6’4”), and Max Mollman (6’7”).
So that’s 7/90 kids who primarily score inside on post-ups and rim runs.
While some people would say this is a bad thing, it’s just the truth.
By the way, it’s not too hard to figure out why this might be. There’s a ton of reasons for it. But since it’s spring, let’s talk about AAU basketball. In the grassroots season, it’s very unlikely to have a huge impact when you’re an interior post player. Offensively, you hardly touch the ball.
So, step into these post players’ size-18 shoes for a moment: If you’re a player who is battling for position on the block all game and you’re hardly touching it, you might also consider learning how to be effective from the perimeter. Because like everyone else, you want to touch the ball.
There just seems to be very few programs emphasizing post touches right now. Probably because it’s not conducive to summer basketball.
Point Guard Talent
As always, there’s more point guards than any other position. Even so, the 2020 point guard group looks to be a special bunch. We truly wouldn’t be surprised if about 10 of these guys go on to be Division I prospects, even though that would be on the high-end of realistic expectations.
Within the point guard group, we have some extremely talented “true point guards,” who thrive on the success of the team/teammates. Garvin Clarke (Euclid), Matt Allocco (Hilliard Bradley), Cam McCreary (Colonel Crawford), CJ Anthony (Harvest Prep), Devin Hightower (Lakewood St. Ed), and Savon O’Neal (Miamisburg), come to mind as self-less players who find open teammates consistently.
You also have your point guards who are likely to put up 20+ points every time they step on the floor. They get other guys going by spreading the floor and making the defense respect their scoring ability. If you prefer this type of point guard, check out Zeb Jackson (Maumee Valley), Dominiq Penn (Dublin Coffman), Qian Magwood (Walnut Ridge), and Tahj Staveskie (Sandusky).
Another group of point guards who score the ball at a high rate are the slashers. The following are athletically superior players who defend multiple positions and get to the rim with ease after a crossover or two: Montorie Foster (Lakewood St. Ed), Jordan Jackson (Lorain), Joey Holifield (Cardinal Stritch), Arthur Fayne (Aurora), Isaiah Kennedy (HH Wayne), Carrington Valentine (Moeller), and Ketaan Wyatt (Toledo Rogers).
By the way, the ones who will continue to separate themselves from the other point guards are going to be able to play these various roles, based on time and score.