One of the biggest senior season risers I’ve covered during my time in Ohio, Mahaffey went from being a bench guy averaging 3.8 PPG on one of the worst Moeller teams this century to starting for one of the top teams in the state (also at Moeller) and averaging 9 PPG on 50% shooting, 2.2 defensive stocks per game (steals + blocks) and a 3/2 A/TO ratio. The box score can only tell you so much and the eye test for Mahaffey has also shown drastic improvement. One of the top athletes in Ohio, Mahaffey moves like few other wings in the midwest. Taking long strides in transition and super explosive as an athlete by changing directions and speeds, Mahaffey can leave opponents in the dust. One of the top defenders in Ohio as well, Mahaffey made some huge plays as a help-side defender and can lock down on the ball. Still developing as an offensive player in the half-court and as a shooter, if the jumper comes around for Mahaffey, he will be a stud for Akron.

Moeller was given a surprise scare with a tied scoreline after three quarters. Despite not making a single 3-pointer, the Crusaders used a 17-0 fourth quarter to leave no doubt in the district final. One of the top athletes and defenders in the state of Ohio, Mahaffey’s growth this season has been a hot topic across the state. An early commit to Akron, Mahaffey is showing upside of potentially being an all-conference level player in the MAC. His long strides and strength make him tough to stop in transition when he’s attacking downhill. If he’s not scoring at the rim, it usually takes a foul to stop Mahaffey, he shot 11 free throws in this game. Active hands defensively forced three turnovers and helped his team get out on the fast break. Moeller is the favorite to emerge out of this region but their path could be conference rival Elder and the lone team to beat them in Centerville just to make it to Dayton, can they emerge victorious?

I’ll be the first to admit I was late to the Mahaffey party and he’s continued his upward trajectory towards the top of our rankings and will continue to climb before we wrap up the 2024 cycle. His growth athletically and his confidence with the ball in his hands is insane from where he was a year ago. His statistical jump from Junior to Senior year is huge but that doesn’t do him justice how much he impacts the game on both ends of the floor. One of the best defenders in Ohio and a terror in transition, Mahaffey looks like a prospect who might wind up playing high major basketball when it’s all said and done. Akron looks like they got one of the highest upside prospects in Ohio and Moeller appears to be a state title threat once again after a dominant performance over one of the better teams from northeast Ohio in Mentor.

Already a known name on the grassroots circuit, Mahaffey is committed to Akron after a really strong summer for Moeller in June and with All Ohio Red in July. Despite this commitment and the talent he has, his brother is at Ohio State, Mahaffey didn’t put up huge numbers as a Junior with Moeller. A late blooming prospect who is young for his grade, Mahaffey is set to take off as a senior and become one of the most feared players in the GCL this winter. He’s going to be a key if Moeller wants to get back to the glory they held a few seasons ago.

We just discussed Mahaffey as a stock riser, exploding onto the scene this summer with a big month of June. Check out that article by clicking here.

A prospect who has just been brought on for the PIT with All Ohio, Mahaffey has played with a ton of energy with a new team. Fitting right in athletically, Mahaffey has been flying around the court on both ends getting deflections, tipping passes and hustling for offensive rebounds. The half-court offensive has been a major work in progress but Mahaffey is adjusting to the new speed of the game and figuring things out on the fly. His best basketball is going to come later in his college career but Mahaffey has been one of the fastest risers this summer and is showing why he’s picking up lots of Division I interest after Akron recently became his first offer.

Probably the biggest Ohio riser all weekend, Mahaffey has taken his game to a new level and impacted winning in a variety of ways for a Moeller squad that won the 32 team Friday/Saturday bracket. An athletic wing who has taken a big jump since the last time I saw him in the early spring. Mahaffey makes the right pass and his most impactful assist was an alley-oop to Kingston Land Kingston Land 6'9" | C Archbishop Moeller | 2025 State #209 Nation OH for a slam dunk to take the lead with just under 10 seconds left in their final four battle. Mahaffey then won the game in overtime on a driving layup to the rim. A big-time stock riser, Mahaffey had some Division I coaches interested in him, with the bloodlines of talent and the rapid improvement, it’ll be interesting to follow his recruitment over the next month and beyond.

A prospect set to break out this season, Mahaffey is ready to take that next step for Moeller this winter. A role guy as a Junior, Mahaffey has shown considerable improvement this summer on the offensive end with his ability to knock down perimeter shots and create for himself. I’ll get to see Moeller this upcoming weekend at the KABC Titans Shootout and Mahaffey is one of the prospects I’m most curious to watch.

Mahaffey came on strong at the end of the season for Moeller, playing above 20 minutes in four of his last five contests after not surpassing that mark any previous time during his junior season. A good athlete at the wing position, Mahaffey has the physical tools to be an impact defender at the next level. An efficient shooter, Mahaffey shot over 50% from the floor as a Junior. During the grassroots season I saw Mahaffey shooting a little more from the outside which made me curious just how well he can space the floor, a potential swing skill for the wing just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.