Top 10 Central Ohio Facilitators

<p>Facilitators shouldn't be thought of, simply, as players who prefer to pass. Rather, it's about delivering the ball to teammates in places where they can be successful.</p> <p>The best distributors directly create high-percentage shots for others.</p> <p>Therefore, a facilitator is often someone with the ball-handling ability or sheer quickness to breakdown the defense. Once a facilitator gets past the first line of defense and draws a second defender — or forces multiple players to collapse — he instinctively knows where to go with the ball. </p> <p>So, just keep in mind as we roll through the Top 10 Central Ohio Facilitators, we are not simply celebrating unselfish passers. Instead, we're recognizing those who truly facilitate efficient basketball for their team.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-allocco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matt Allocco</a> (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley</strong></h6> <p>Allocco facilitates in the traditional way by making crisp passes to open teammates. He's also an elite communicator and even screens well for a guard. Draws attention for his scoring ability around the rim and is willing to be a decoy. Delivers the ball to his guys in halfcourt sets and in the open floor. Knows his personnel and, therefore, when/where to get them the ball. The Princeton commit averaged 5.5 assists last season. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kade-bafford/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kade Bafford</a> (2021) | 6-0 PG | Newark</strong></h6> <p>Bafford is very good at finding shooters and he's patient. Gets into the paint often and can pass while surrounded by bodies. Displays a grasp of the fundamentals with jump stops and pivots, often resulting in a high-percentage inside-out 3-point attempt for a teammate. Plays confidently and with surprising power. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tre-beard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tre Beard</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Chillicothe</strong></h6> <p>Whether it's at Chillicothe or with his Pumas team in the summer, Beard is comfortable running with go-to scorers. He makes sure to keep the ball in their hands while providing open shot-making when a look is there. Shows unselfishness by advancing the ball after a short outlet or in-bounds pass. In other words, Beard isn't a point guard who dribbles it up every time. Rather, he tries to facilitate one-on-one situations for teammates by advancing with a long pass before the defense is set. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/henry-hinkle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Henry Hinkle</a> (2021) | 5-10 PG | Liberty</strong></h6> <p>Offenses run smoothly when Hinkle is running the show. Great ability to keep his dribble alive late into a possession or drive. He often probes baseline and finds a drop-down pass or open spot-up shooter. Throws the ball from different launch points — an in-motion bounce pass or one-handed side-arm to a shooter, for example. Quick with the ball. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/qian-magwood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Qian Magwood</a> (2020) | 6-1 PG | Walnut Ridge</strong></h6> <p>Numbers don't lie. Last season, Magwood led the area in assists by a considerable margin. </p> <p>His power often overwhelms opposing point guards, which forces defenses to collapse. From there, Magwood likes to either shoot a balanced two-foot floater or find his talented scoring forwards VonCameron Davis and Kaveon Ross. Frequently delivers drop-down passes to baseline cutters. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayvon-maughmer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jayvon Maughmer</a> (2020) | 6-5 SG | Chillicothe</strong></h6> <p>Maughmer is a facilitator in a non-traditional sense. But the Cedarville commit is a terrific decision-maker and his actions away from the ball free up shots for others. Very active screener who cleverly sets back-screens that lead to uncontested jumpers. Knows how to position himself as a screener. Maughmer always has his head up when he catches, too. Occasionally uses his scoring threat as a decoy. </p> <h6><strong>Chris Mayfield (2020) | 6-2 F | Bradley</strong></h6> <p>Mayfield is a notably unselfish player with the tools to collapse the defense. Attacks close-outs extremely well, in part because of his rare strength. Mayfield often sets up teammates for a catch-and-shoot opportunity by tossing a dime while on the move. Also displays passing ability in the open floor. Very rarely settles for a low-percentage shot. Michigan State football commit.</p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-mirgon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AJ Mirgon</a> (2021) | 5-11 PG | Bradley</strong></h6> <p>Mirgon is a very consistent decision-maker that avoids turnovers. He makes impressive bounce passes to cutters which speak to his ability to anticipate plays. Instinctual athlete that can drive into the lane and lead teammates into cuts with his passing skills. Consistently unselfish. </p> <h6><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-santa-emma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jack Santa Emma</a> (2020) | 5-11 PG | Alder</strong></h6> <p>Handling the ball with a balanced low center of gravity, Santa Emma makes plays in the lane. Capitalizes on the attempts of eager shot-blockers with his eyes and shot fakes before delivering clever passes. Very good feel. Averaged 4.5 assists last season.</p> <h6><strong>Nate Staib (2020) | 5-8 PG | Gahanna</strong></h6> <p>Staib prioritizes keeping everyone involved. Knows how to make post entry passes and wants the ball in his scorer's hands. Handles ball pressure well and keeps a low dribble in traffic. Especially strong bounce passer. </p> <hr /> <h6><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention:</span> Sean Jones, Marquis Moore, Kobe Righter, Dan Wagner, Cali Davis, Ajay Sheldon, Casey George, Quincy Clark, Noah Lawrence</em></h6>