Columbus City League Preview: Africentric Nubians
The Africentric Nubians captivated Columbus in the early 2000’s with their brand of high-flying and sharp shooting basketball, and now with a younger crop of players they hope to rebuild what they once had. This year, Africentric looks to compete…
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Continue ReadingThe Africentric Nubians captivated Columbus in the early 2000’s with their brand of high-flying and sharp shooting basketball, and now with a younger crop of players they hope to rebuild what they once had. This year, Africentric looks to compete in the Columbus City League south with one of the best juniors in the entire city.
A basketball history more known for the dominance of their girls basketball team, a run that is close to 20 amazing years long, this season’s boys basketball feels like they are ready to add to the legacy of the school.
Dan Wagner Dan Wagner 6'0" | CG Columbus Africentric Early College | 2022 State OH , the 5-foot-11 inch hooper looks to increase his scoring output while leading his team to victory. Wagner is a lefty that is tremendously talented and can do-it-all on offense, leading his team with 15 points per game with a season-high of 28. This young man gets into the paint with a lightning quick first step, once he’s in there he finishes with his left hand amazingly while still developing the right hand in the teeth of the defense. Do not leave Dan Wagner Dan Wagner 6'0" | CG Columbus Africentric Early College | 2022 State OH open, this writer has personally experienced how hot he can get from outside.
Wagner will be joined by Eli Burke Eli Burke 6'1" | PG Africentric | 2021 State OH , who was apart of a three-headed scoring onslaught that all averaged over 13 points and the rising sophomore Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH . Burke had a season-high of 29 points while chipping on close to 14 on average.
Now a senior, Burke improved his athleticism and his jump shooting last season. He has ran point guard since a sophomore and his feel for the game shows it, his instincts have improved and when someone watches his play, they can see the work he puts in, in the film room. Burke can lead a team, put his teammates in position to score and has a good mid-range jump shot.
Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH is dripping in potential and looks to improve on an impressive freshman season where he showed more than just flashes of what kind of player he can be. Swain is 6-foot-6 and has guard-like skills with the way he can handle so he can take pressure off Wagner and Burke plus he can shoot the ball with accuracy from anywhere on the court. His game logs are littered with double digit scoring outputs and that will only increase as he gets older and puts on weight.
Ernest Johnson Ernest Johnson 6'7" | C Africentric | 2021 OH and Josiah Smith look to round what could possibly be the best starting five in the Columbus City League south division. Johnson will have an impact on the defensive end with his size and ability to disrupt shots.
The Nubians could have the best starting 5 in the Columbus City League south, boasting as good a guard/wing combination as any team in Columbus in general. If all of these young men can live up to the immense potential that they have then Africentric could not only vie for a Columbus City League Championship but this team will be a tough opponent in the Ohio State High School Playoffs. Experienced talent, young talent and everything in between, the Africentric Nubians look to make their return to prominence this season.