Austin Niekamp
Austin Niekamp
About Austin
Expert Analysis
Michael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
A legendary career for Niekamp who ended on the biggest stage and fell one game short of winning Marion Local’s fourth basketball state title. Niekamp can stretch the floor as a center and also did a nice job passing against consistent double-teams that were thrown his way. Marion Local’s best offense all game was getting Niekamp the ball on the block and either letting him score or kickout to a shooter. Very impressive high school career for Niekamp, who will have a chance to make his mark on the GMAC tournament champions next season.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
Marion Local came out aggressive and got out to a big first half lead before hanging on in the fourth quarter to advance. Niekamp was solid on both ends of the court as his size and pure presence in the paint deters shots at the rim. Offensively, Niekamp had a few buckets at the rim where he was simply too big and too strong to stop. I was also impressed with his big to big passing against a zone defense, hitting teammate Kale Ahrens Kale Ahrens 6'3" | PF Marion Local | 2027 State OH a few times on the block for layups. In the fourth quarter with New Bremen making their big push, Niekamp hit a 3-pointer to ice the game and help the Flyers move on to the next round.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
Niekamp will play a mix of the four and the five at the college level and his floor spacing ability would allow him to play next to another big. It’s not often you’ll find prospects with Niekamp’s ability to shoot it at his size from a small-town program. Playing in a physical conference with lots of football athletes banging in the paint, I want to see Niekamp really dominate as a senior and boost his scoring and rebound numbers from where they were as a Junior. If Niekamp can do that, Marion Local should once again be one of the top small-town teams in Ohio and Niekamp should see his recruitment expand.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Niekamp is one of the biggest prospects attending this event. He is a high-level player that can do a little bit of everything. He is a great modern-day big. He has the height and size that you want with the athletic ability to match it. He moves very fluidly and is a strong player who is a presence in the paint. He has great touch and moves around the rim but his game from the arc separates him from most. He can stroke it from deep and has a good off-the-dribble game that can get to the rack or pull up.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
The Ohio Buckets dominated in the EYCL, qualifying for the Peach Jam play-in games. Niekamp was the man holding it down in the middle with his size, length and rim protection being huge assets to their team. Combine that with his floor spacing as a 3-point shooter and Niekamp has a ton of intriguing skills. Hoping to see Niekamp really dominate the stat sheet as a senior, he has the size and skill to put up monster numbers as a senior.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
I wasn’t able to catch Niekamp with Marion Local this high school season, so it’s been good to catch a game of his each of the past two weekends. I thought Niekamp did a good job rebounding and keeping the ball high on both ends of the court, preventing smaller guards from stripping him. Also able to knock down pick and pop 3-pointers, Niekamp can space the floor when asked to. With his size, rebounding, physicality and overall offensive skill, I expect Niekamp to be high on the recruiting boards for Division II and NAIA programs this summer.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
One of the top small town athletic programs in Ohio is Marion Local. A school that’s dominated in a variety of sports, they have a record 13 OHSAA football state championships as well as three boys basketball, five volleyball and one girls basketball state title. Niekamp looks to be the next in line at Marion Local on the hardwood with his ability with the ball in his hands for his size. Look for scholarship programs to prioritize him starting next spring.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Neikamp was great on Sunday. He was one of the top players in the event and he impressed a ton. He is super tall and long but the definition of a modern big. He moves so fluidly and well and has some really long strides. He plays very hard and runs the floor well. He was super effective going over each shoulder in the post. He made a ton of blocks and rebounds. He also had one of the prettiest shots in the event. He was butter from beyond the arc. The rotation on the ball when he shoots is perfect. He was someone who I had multiple singing their praises about him.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Niekamp is one of my favorite players in this event. I am excited to watch him play. He is everything you want in a modern big. He is listed at 6’8 with wide shoulders and long arms. He moves extremely well. He has some long strides that allow him to outrun most other bigs. He is a very good rebounder. Niekamp has a great presence around the rim as well because he blocks or alters almost every shot. As a forward, he can do all that you are looking for. Then something that is a very underrated part of his game is his shooting ability. This kid can flat-outshoot it. He is perfect for a pick-n-pop. It’s a very smooth jumper that will never get blocked. His catch and shooting is something that I love about his game. He is someone that will leave a lot of people in the gym impressed.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Niekamp was one of the very few kids I watched this weekend and walked away from the game very excited about. His potential is through the roof. He is listed as 6’7 and has an absurdly long wingspan. He moves well, very coordinated. He won’t wow you with any athleticism but I think he is still growing and that will come with his continued growth. He understands and knows how to play the game and plays hard. He was always putting an effort to get rebounds and was consistently rim running. He showed off some nice quick moves in the post. One thing that almost got me out of my seat was Niekamp’s ability to shoot the ball. He has a very big release point, making his shot virtually impossible to block, and has a very smooth stroke. He knocked down a couple threes and was automatic from the line when fouled. I believe this kid is only going to get better and better because he has a lot of growth coming not only physically but to his skill set as well. Buy stock in this kid now!
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