On the Verge: 2020
As we described in the two-part 2019 On the Verge segments, this series is about players with a crucial July ahead who haven’t yet peaked. But unlike the 2019 articles, we’re highlighting mostly shoe circuit players here. Reason being, offers for juniors-to-be will mostly come from the D-I level at this stage in the process.
Again, things to keep in mind as you scroll through the details: These players are in no particular order. Not every line is super specific, as we couldn’t get full access to each player.
Jake Younkin, 6’2” G, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Moeller
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Invitational (Indianapolis), All In HoopFest (Louisville), Louisville JamFest
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Wright State (June visit), Davidson, Western Carolina, Miami (OH), Liberty, American, Lehigh, Valpraiso
- Recruitment notes: Younkin clarified that American, Lehigh, and Valpo are possibilities to come watch him this month.
- What we’re seeing: Younkin’s improvements to his body and, more specifically, his handle have led us to believe he may be a more natural point guard than a strictly off-ball shooter. He’s comfortable shooting off the dribble with distance and is developing physically in a promising way.
Luke Frazier, 6’2” G, Ohio Basketball Club / Lake Catholic
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Gauntlet Finale (NYC), Adidas Summer Championship (Los Angeles), Louisville JamFest
- Offers: Youngstown State (June 23), Wright State (June 18)
- Additional interest: Colgate, Holy Cross, Miami (OH), Duquesne
- Recruitment notes: Frazier camped at Miami (OH), Wright State, Youngstown State, and Duquesne in June.
- What we’re seeing: Elusive shot creator who can shoot it off the dribble and create space at will.
Josiah Fulcher, 6’2” G, All Ohio Red / Pickerington Central
- Tournament schedule: Peach Invitational (Augusta), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), AAU Super Showcase (Orlando)
- Offers: Stony Brook (June 18), Akron (June 15), Kent State (July 2017)
- Additional interest: unknown
- Recruitment notes: We weren’t able to get a hold of Fulcher for the scoop.
- What we’re seeing: Fulcher is a player that has really grown as a defensive weapon. High IQ team defender and the quickness to stay in front of speedy guards.
Zach Loveday, 7’0” C, Louisville Magic / Galia Academy
- Tournament schedule: Adidas Gold Gauntlet Finale (NYC), Adidas Summer Championship (Los Angeles), Louisville JamFest
- Offers: Louisville (June 29), Stanford (June 19), Florida (June 16), Indiana (June 16), George Washington (June 1), Xavier (November 2017), Ohio State (October 2017), Purdue (August 2017)
- Additional interest: Notre Dame, Clemson
- Recruitment notes: Loveday’s lone June visit was to Louisville, which he tells us he enjoyed. Although others are surely interested in Loveday, he’s only aware of Notre Dame and Clemson at the moment.
- What we’re seeing: His list of spring/early summer offers is clearly impressive as is. However, we foresee the list growing significantly as more eyes are laid on the high-major recruit in July.
John Hugley, 6’9” C, All Ohio Red / Brush
- Tournament schedule: Peach Invitational (Augusta), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), AAU Super Showcase (Orlando)
- Offers: Xavier (June 28), Dayton (June 26), James Madison (June 19), Wright State (June 19) St. Louis (June 10), Duquesne (June 10), Robert Morris (October 2017) Tulane (October 2017), Cleveland State (May 2017), Akron (June 2017), Buffalo (June 2017), Kent State (August 2017), Miami (May 2017), and more
- Additional interest: Big 10 programs, Clemson, Cincinnati, Louisville, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Texas, Tennessee, Winthrop, Western Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and more
- Recruitment notes: Camped or went on unofficials to Dayton, Kent State, Wright State, Michigan, Cincinnati, and Xavier in June.
- What we’re seeing: Hugley could nab his first Big 10 offer this month as his stock received a significant boost after June’s Nike Elite 100 camp.
Luka Eller, 6’8” F, C2K Elite / Lake Catholic
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge and Elite 32 (Atlanta), Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), UA Finals (Vegas)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Purdue, Miami (OH), Davidson (June visit), Elon (June visit), Duquesne (June visit), Princeton, Toledo, Cleveland State, Dayton
- Recruitment notes: Eller is by no means limiting his recruitment to the Tar Heel State, but he is enticed by the weather and feel of North Carolina campuses. He also was planning on visiting Miami (OH) in June before a family vacation was scheduled.
- What we’re seeing: Ohio’s top 2020 prospect without a scholarship offer likely won’t fit that qualification after July. Increasingly versatile scoring option with his developing interior and off the dribble game.
Nekhi Smith, 6’5 W/F, All Ohio Red / Taft (transfer from Shroder)
- Tournament schedule: Peach Invitational (Augusta), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), AAU Super Showcase (Orlando)
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Western Carolina
- Recruitment notes: Smith tells us that All Ohio Red 16U and Taft head coach Demarco Bradley has talked to Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Witchita State, Northern Kentucky, Tennessee, Winthrop, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech on his behalf.
- What we’re seeing: Rapidly improving athlete who combines elusive moves with power to finish inside. Raw talent who will be very hard to stop when he puts it all together (finishing, jumper, handle, passing), which he shows flashes of at every tournament.
Hayden Stone, 6’8” F/C, Nova (Alleyne) / Carey
- Tournament schedule: UA Challenge (Atlanta), Brawl for the Ball (Grand Rapids), GRBA National Championship (Fort Wayne)
- Offers: Stony Brook (June 16), Ohio University (June 21)
- Additional interest: Walsh, Miami (OH), Liberty, Holy Cross
- Recruitment notes: Stone visited Ohio and went to Miami’s elite camp in June. He communicates with the Bobcats frequently.
- What we’re seeing: Stone remains a bit of a novelty going into July. Stone’s first impression will be all the things he does defensively and on the glass. As you settle into the sideline, he impresses with his passing out of the post and flashes of back-to-the-basket footwork.
DaSean Nelson, 6’6” W/F, All Ohio Gold / Rogers
- Tournament schedule: Ballin’ Under 1 Roof (Louisville), Nike Summer Championship (Columbus), n/a
- Offers: n/a
- Interest: Toledo, Cleveland State, Michigan
- Recruitment notes: Nelson inserted himself onto college radars at June team camps with Rogers.
- What we’re seeing: Nelson’s confidence as a ball-handler and shot creator is at an all-time high. Explosive athlete who loves the offensive glass and contesting shots at the rim. Still a bit raw but major potential.