Omari Peek (2018) Recruiting Report
This winter Walnut Hills ran out an extremely young basketball team. Sophomores littered the varsity roster: DiShon Daniels, Omari Peek, Kameron Gibson, Hunter Davidson, and Cory Davis. Of the quintet Peek is the heaviest and most physically daunting. “Omari is…
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Continue ReadingThis winter Walnut Hills ran out an extremely young basketball team. Sophomores littered the varsity roster: DiShon Daniels, Omari Peek, Kameron Gibson, Hunter Davidson, and Cory Davis.
Of the quintet Peek is the heaviest and most physically daunting.
“Omari is really like a 6-foot-6 guard,” said HS teammate Kameron Gibson. “He has a nice shot. He can really create off the dribble.”
At first glance Peek appears to be a high school power forward, that is certain to a smidgen too short for the college PF slot. At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Omari is already riddled with muscles. He looks like he has been in a weight room for five years. Not a power forward though. Peek’s proper basketball evaluation requires a second impression.
“He is like a 2/3,” said Walnut Hills Head Coach Ricardo Hill. “He can play 1-4 in high school.”
Why is the 6-foot-5 sturdy athlete built like a football player?
“His dad played in NFL,” said Coach Hill. “Antwan Peek. Good genes.”
Antwan Peek amassed 28 NFL starts, spanning five seasons (2003-2007). The Houston Texans drafted him in the third round out of the University of Cincinnati. The hometown kid stayed home after his pro career. The younger Peek is now the focal point.
“He shoots the heck out of the ball from 3,” said Coach Hill. “He is athletic enough to be a slasher.”
Peek’s recruitment is in its infancy. Oddly high major programs reached out to his coach first.
“I have heard from Xavier and West Virginia,” said Peek.
West Virginia Assistant Coach Erik Martin blankets the state of Ohio. Like Peek’s father, Martin played sports for University of Cincinnati. He is keeping tabs on Peek and several of the Walnut Hills sophomores.
Peek has been up to visit Akron and Miami (Oh). He is not particular about his college recruitment.
“I would like to hear from any of the D1 schools,” said Peek.
Even though he has not taken the standardized tests most take as juniors, Peek might be a high-academic target too. He has a 4.0 GPA after completing three semesters at a rigorous institution.
Omari Peek High School Recap
Tradition-rich Walnut Hills HS really is rebuilding something special and the fruits of Coach Hill’s labors are apparent. The basketball team has multiple division one players, many in the underclassmen ranks.
The 2015-2016 season (16-7, 11-3) was a rousing success until an uncomfortably early postseason exit.
“We did pretty good,” said Peek. “We had a lot of young players that were athletic and strong. Unfortunately, some of that youth caught up to us a couple times.”
Peek and his teammates expected to advance further in the OHSAA Tournament.
“We have higher goals,” said Peek.
Until next fall, Peek is running with a highly competitive King James 16u team (Darius Bazley, Justin Ahrens, Darius Quisenberry), lead by Coach Quincy Simpson. Look for them to make a dent in NIKE’s 16u division all summer.