2020 Spring and Early June Stock-Risers
“If I only knew then what I know now,” a person much wiser than me once said. And I’m sure whoever launched this wisdom into the ether was making a point about something important — ya know, like raising children…
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Continue Reading“If I only knew then what I know now,” a person much wiser than me once said. And I’m sure whoever launched this wisdom into the ether was making a point about something important — ya know, like raising children or marriage.
Turns out, though, this quote is also very relatable for someone who publishes Prospect Rankings. Just attach a few more words to the end of the quote and we’ve struck a chord: “If I only knew then what I know now, I would not have ranked Owen Spencer no. 100 a few months ago.” Spencer is far better than that. Same with Josiah Fulcher at no. 13, Brandon Noel at no. 92, and so forth. But I didn’t know that in March.
While there’s a rankings update coming in August where we can amend those mistakes (And make a bunch of new mistakes. How you choose to look at it is up to you.), we’re going to own up to them now and show you which 2020 prospects are rising.
John Hugley | 6-9 C | Brush / Indy Heat
current rank: 2
expected jump: 1
new offers: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, Missouri, VCU
Hugley is being recruited by several high-major programs while flying up national recruiting rankings. His physique is much more trim and he’s moving quicker, which lends itself to switching on screens and running the floor. Hugley is dominating on post-ups and has completely turned the corner when it comes to having a more aggressive mindset. Provides interior scoring with his soft shooting touch and physical strength. Meanwhile, the defensive upside is becoming more projectable with his physical improvements.
With Zeb Jackson on his way to Montverde, Hugley is the clear no. 1 prospect in Ohio’s 2020 class.
Josiah Fulcher | 6-2 SG | Lima Senior / C2K Elite
current rank: 13
expected jump: top seven
new offers: Bowling Green, Cleveland State, George Mason, Kent State, James Madison, Western Carolina, Wyoming
Fulcher is an efficient, well-coached player who is effective on both ends of the floor. There’s upside for Fulcher to become a double-digit scorer as a mid-major wing because of his improving ability to create shots in one or two dribbles. Uses length and improving athleticism to slash, finish in traffic, and defend guards. Terrific shooter. Shows toughness by taking charges, hustling in transition defense, and rebounding. Very good defensive instincts.
Max Land | 6-4 SF | Moeller / Manimal Elite
current rank: 21
expected jump: top 12
new offers: Saint Francis (PA), Tiffin football
Land is becoming more of an offensive threat. He has added skill as a slasher, often using jab and rocker steps to blow past the first line of defense. Decelerates around the rim and uses long gather steps to finish in traffic and get to the line. Land is also hitting pull-ups more consistently, although he doesn’t shoot those with range.
A returning starter for the state champions, Land remains one of the most explosive athletes in the 2020 class. He is able to defend multiple positions, cover space in a hurry, finish in transition, and make plays that lesser athletes cannot dream of.
Connor O’Toole | 6-2 G | Gilmour Academy / All Ohio Cleveland
current rank: 65
expected jump: top 40
new offers: Lake Erie, Walsh
O’Toole was a known sniper coming into the grassroots season. His expert level IQ, though, caught us a bit off guard. Super efficient playmaker who doesn’t waste dribbles and manipulates defenders with a threatening shot fake. Elite 3-point shooter. Makes the right play and read every time. Strong enough handle to protect the ball against pressure. Good team defender.
Marlon Landingham | 6-2 G | Rhodes / Ohio Basketball Club
current rank: 76
expected jump: top 65
At Run N Slam, Landingham proved to have more size and athletic pop than we realized. Very effective slasher with a good handle. He was more score-minded that weekend than usual, but the combo guard definitely shows vision and playmaking ability when he draws help-side. Capable shooter. Landingham impresses when defending taller wings — makes them uncomfortable by getting into their body, crowding their handle, and being physical.
Jevontae Jones | 6-5 SF | Richmond Heights / All Ohio Cleveland
current rank: 78
expected jump: top 60
AAU ball involves a lot of transition opportunities and open floor spacing. Jones excels in that format. His explosiveness and power overwhelms defenders on straight-line-drives. Not many guys can keep him away from a rebound when he crashes. Jones can knock down open jumpers (good shooting mechanics) and finish creatively in traffic. The athleticism and motor are both intriguing for his long-term projection. Jones is certainly a scholarship level kid who can be a low-usage wing that provides defensive versatility in college.
Brandon Noel | 6-8 C | Chillicothe / Mid Ohio Pumas (Staib)
current rank: 92
expected jump: top 25
new offers: Wright State, Ashland, Cedarville, Ohio Dominican, Walsh
Noel sort’ve blew me away at Ohio State’s team camp on Friday. Truth be told, I did not think Noel would develop into the player he is today — which is why he was no. 92 in our latest update. But, yikes, we’re now looking at a skilled face-up big who can make shots from all three levels. He puts it on the floor and possesses skilled mid-post moves that combine power and skill. Noel runs the floor and is quick laterally for his size. Wide frame.
Owen Spencer | 6-8 C | Turpin / Apex Gold
current rank: 100
expected jump: top 50
new offer: Lincoln Memorial
I haven’t personally watched Spencer since his 16U season at a mid-July event when he was with Club Ohio. The upside was noticeable and a Lincoln Memorial offer alongside feedback from Trent Markwith, my colleague in Georgia, confirmed that Spencer is realizing his potential.
Spencer is quick block-to-block and plays larger than his frame might suggest — a combination that lends itself to rim-protection and rebounding. In general, too, Spencer moves well for a 6-foot-8 post. He can score it over the shoulder on post-ups and has added range to his jumper this season.
Darren Rubin | 6-1 G | Oakwood / All Ohio Cleveland
current rank: 103
expected jump: top 70
Rubin continues to maximize his potential as a basketball player. Sporting a 3.4 GPA (taking exclusively AP honors courses) and score of 33 on the ACT, Rubin compensates for any athletic limitations by continuing to fine-tune his ball-handling and shooting ability.
He creates space in advanced ways, including step-backs and side-to-side crossovers that he’s becoming quicker with. Puts a lot of pressure on the defense when he is the primary ball-handler. Rubin shoots the ball very well while moving — off the dribble and catch-and-shoot off a screen with a defender trailing.
High-academic programs at the D-II, NAIA, and D-III levels should be all over the Oakwood star.