Brawl for the Ball: Wing Report
In what was the last grassroots tournament of the year for a handful of teams, these shooting guards and small forwards made it count. (Check out our Brawl for the Ball point guard recap from yesterday, in case you missed…
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Continue ReadingIn what was the last grassroots tournament of the year for a handful of teams, these shooting guards and small forwards made it count.
(Check out our Brawl for the Ball point guard recap from yesterday, in case you missed it.)
Prospects with Offers
known players on the recruiting scene who exceeded high expectations (click name to view list of offers on their Player Profile)
Paul Burris (2020) | 6-5 SF | Delaware Hayes / Mid Ohio Pumas (Staib)
Burris is a tremendous shooter at his size. Scores off the catch consistently and knows how to play off the ball. Attacked the close-out well, displaying his light feet and agility in getting around people.
Josh Thorbahn (2021) | 6-5 SF | Ottoville / C2K Elite
Possesses an inside and outside scoring game. From beyond the arch Thorbahn shoots it at a high percentage. He also showed shot creation from the wing on one hesitation move into a crossover before pulling up.
Maybe more impressive is Thorbahn’s ability to score against mismatches. Even if you match his 6-foot-5 height, by the way, the bulky wing is so strong that he can still have his way in the paint. Thorbahn seals his guy around the rim and has a tough fall-away jumper from the paint. He can also score over the shoulder on simple post moves.
Breakout Performer
this player made the lasting impression from Grand Rapids
Tony Delvaux (2020) | 6-3 SG | Whitmer / Hopson Elite
One type the 2020 class doesn’t have a ton of is guys who can score the ball from the wing at a high level. Shot creators with an efficient game off the bounce. Tony Delvaux can fill that gap at the D-II, NAIA, or D-III level — hard to say which division he will end up at, but he’s surely worth a look for those programs.
More on Delvaux, the Toledo Christian to Whitmer transfer has a dynamic mid-range package where he creates high percentage looks with an elusive handle. Athletically built kid with upper body strength. Good use of the jab step and the in-and-out wiggle. Very confident player. Plays off the ball but has the skill to dominate the ball for a couple minutes as he flashes vision and the ability to make on-target passes with a live dribble.
Delvaux jumped passing lanes several times. His strength at the guard spot allows him to defend the drive against power guards and wings, let alone small guys. Stays in front and contests.
Sleepers
unheralded college prospects
AJ Adams (2021) | 6-4 SF | Findlay / C2K Elite
Adams is doing all the same stuff he’s always brought to the table, just at a higher level. As in: a mid-major Division I level. The athletic progress has unlocked even more versatility.
Defensively, Adams is impactful on help-side. Cleverly sneaks up on double teams. Gets his hands in on seemingly every play. Talented rebounder who has a feel for where the ball is going to bounce off the rim … seriously. He also guarded the 1 through 4 at this tournament. Hustles.
On offense, Adams is a threat to score it wherever he receives a pass. Even if he’s not going to be a 20-point a night guy at the D-I level, his efficiency is very intriguing. Skilled with his back to the basket in the mid-post. Adams has a move for whatever type of defender is thrown at him.
Darius Parham (2021) | 6-2 SG | Bishop Ready / Nova (Lemon)
Whoa! Parham’s year over year improvement is one of the most impressive in Ohio’s 2021 class. While becoming far more chiseled and lean, Parham also displayed advancements in skill. Finished around the basket with either hand in traffic — the added burst showed itself here. Parham also drilled shots coming off motion and could become a true knock-down guy from beyond the arch.
Now with the tools to create separation, Parham could quickly become one of the best shot creators from the wing in his class. Watch out.
Greg Johnson (2021) | 6-1 G | Princeton / C2K Elite
A quick twitch defender who drapes himself around ball-handlers for 94 feet. Johnson’s energy on the defensive end is facilitated by his quickness, speed, and the fluidity that allows him to contort around screens while chasing. The ball hawk also rebounds well and pushes the break off the defensive glass. While Johnson could become more of a shooting threat or a consistent deliverer of clean passes, he can quickly get to the cup on straight-line-drives.
Tayt Birnesser (2021) | 6-2 SF | Columbus Grove / Northwest Ohio Basketball Club
If Birnesser continues to shake defenders off the dribble and create shots like he did Saturday night, his recruitment is going to be pretty busy a year from now. The known catch-and-shoot threat with a thick build really surprised us with his handle. Scored on a step back and a few tough layups in traffic. Automatic from range with his feet set.
Shane Garcia (2021) | 6-4 SF | Toledo St. John’s / All Ohio Gold
Garcia found heat Saturday night, connecting on four 3-pointers in the first half alone. His most impressive shot came on a step-back triple amidst his hot streak. The snatch-back dribble move from around the elbow is becoming a consistent option once he puts it on the floor — his length and high release allow him to shoot cleanly over defenders.
New Names
first impression on new discoveries
Feisal Crumby (2021) | 5-10 G | Toledo St. Francis / All Ohio Gold
Combined a strong low center of gravity with patience around the basket to finish time and time again in traffic. Knows how to decelerate around the basket on drives. Crumby converted layups with either hand and added pull-up 3-pointers to go with it. Defends the drive well because of his strength. Poised player with great body language, especially while interacting with teammates.
Tyler Kindberg (2021) | 6-4 SF | Worthington Christian / Nova (Lemon)
Kindberg is a player who wants to attack the basket and get fouled. Runs to the rim in transition and consistently attacks the closeout on straight-line-drives. Very good athlete off the floor.
Bottom line: Kindberg’s fearlessness, athleticism, and energy will attract collegiate looks.
Amari Gaston (2022) | 6-1 SG | Hartley / Nova (Reese)
Good footwork to go with a thick build — the combination allows him to attack the basket in tight spaces. Gaston knifed through the lane a couple times and touched runners off the glass.
Ethan Smith (2022) | 5-10 SG | Olentangy / Nova (Reese)
Smith is a knockdown outside shooter who plays hard. Terrific shooting mechanics. His defensive ability will progress as he adds size.
Brock Makrancy (2022) | 6-5 SF | Findlay / Northwest Ohio Basketball Club
A mobile 6-foot-4 wing with long arms that has room to grow both in height and size. Most importantly, Makrancy can shoot the heck out of the ball. Drilled consecutive jumpers from the elbow against a 2-3 zone look — we’re talking like four or five in a row. Also showed the ability to pull-up off one dribble. Or Makrancy can take an extra two bounces to scoot into the lane and finish over the top. He’s quick enough laterally to be a wing defender, which is what his frame is most suited to do .
Findlay is going to be talented and very big in a year or two. By the season of 2020-21, they should contend for the region.