GRBA National Championships: Hybrids

Due to their ability to play multiple positions and fill different roles, some prospects are labeled “hybrids.” Who knows which position these kids will play at the college level? Truly, only the coaching staff that brings them into their program. It will depend on system and philosophy. In this particular recap of the GRBA National Championships, we’ve decided to single out the Ohio hybrids that did their thing over the weekend.

Elijah Bishop (2018), 6’6”, Elite Basketball Club/Beechcroft

Bishop’s most significant offensive contributions are on cuts from the elbow towards the basket when someone else is driving. He picks his spots well, especially when one of their guards is driving baseline on the opposite side. Where he has the most impact, and when his versatility is most evident, is on defense. Bishop seems to understand his gifts, in that he keeps his length active. On the ball, his arms cause real problems for the perimeter wings that he usually defends. He’s also quick enough laterally that he’s legitimately a perimeter defender. Bishop also makes contributions on the glass, and we like him mostly as a small-ball 4.

Dominic Pierce (2018), 6’4”, Club Ohio/Cincinnati Princeton

Although Pierce is 6’4”, he truly has the tools to defend positions 2-4. Wingspan, intelligence, and physicality allow him to frustrate slower post-up guys. On the wing, Pierce is quick enough and has shown the ability to understand angles and how to deny off the ball. Offensively, Pierce primarily scores inside. He has a powerful interior game compared to the guys who usually defend him, allowing Pierce to finish and-ones after he gets someone airborne with his pump-fake. He also hit a couple spot-up 3-pointers this weekend, which is an area we’d like to see him continue developing.

CJ Penha (2018), 6’6”, Hidden Gems Orange/Harvest Prep

Breakout Performer.

Aaron Loines (2018), 6’5”, TNBA East/Glenville

While Loines really doesn’t have the most versatile offensive game (he mainly cuts for layups or finishes up putbacks), he’s pretty nasty defensively. This TNBA team was playing real team-oriented basketball all the way to the championship this weekend, which allowed us to fully evaluate some of their guys. Turns out, Loines is willing to fill any role defensively. On the ball, Loines does exactly what you’d like your long 6’5” athletic 4-man to do. Away from the ball, he’s a premier help-side shot-blocker and uses that same activity to soar in for rebounds. We expect in-state Division II and NAIA schools to begin prioritizing him, despite any questions about his playmaking ability.

Lunden McDay (2019), 6’2”, NEO Shooting Stars

In this team’s end of the game lineup, McDay defends the paint. He’s their strongest player, most capable of providing resistance against the other team’s forward. McDay uses his strength to box out for position, where he then grabs rebounds at a high clip for his height. McDay’s scoring happens almost exclusively in the paint. He has a runner from just inside the free throw line, where he sort of shot-puts it in off the glass. Then, using his athleticism, McDay converts layups over forwards. His recruitment could see a total sea change if he adds range to his jumper and improves as a ball-handler.

Nathan Bruns (2019), 6’5”, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club/Marion Local

First of all, Bruns has one of the best motors we’ve seen this entire summer. The small town prospect consistently pushes himself on the defensive end and makes opponents uncomfortable. He’s a good enough athlete to play body-to-body on-ball defense in the half-court. He’s also the first or second (only to Penha) most talented offensive weapon in this article. Bruns is a walking mismatch — he’ll either post-up around 10-feet from the basket or spot up on the wing, depending on his defender. With his back to the basket, Bruns has a mature game of turn-arounds, power dribbles, and baby hooks. He’s also a capable shooter that looks for contact if he pump-fakes and goes. Bruns will enter next summer as one of Ohio’s top Division II prospects if he continues developing at a reasonable rate.

Terin Kinsway (2019), 6’5”, OH-NOVA (Bennett)/Delaware Hayes

Kinsway showed off the entire package in NOVA’s Gold Division Championship run on Saturday and Sunday. His upper body strength allows him to get places that opposing 2019 prospects simply can’t. Even when the defense is disciplined against Kinsway, he can go straight through someone or slip by them with a jump stop gather into a finish. He’s freakishly athletic, which is probably the reason that he’s a D-I football prospect also. On the hardwood, the athletic prowess allows the ability to switch everything and rebound. However, Kinsway is more than a pure athlete. We’ve previously thought of him as a “streaky” shooter, but Kinsway was consistent from beyond the arch for about 48 straight hours when the lights shined bright. He’s also a capable secondary ball-handler, as he simply turns his shoulders to protect the basketball when opponents apply pressure.