In a battle between two of southeast Ohio’s best, Straub helped Saint Clairsville get an impressive win in a game where he shot the ball at a high level from 3-point range. Straub is a tough cover at the high school level due to his floor spacing ability combined with his athleticism and size. If Straub can consistently finish in traffic against a contest and defend in space without fouling, he’ll take his game to the next level. As it currently stands, Straub has an extremely high offensive ceiling at the next level and is one of the most exciting players to come through the Ohio Valley area over the past few seasons.

Usually forwards take a little longer to blossom than guards do and this season has been Straub’s coming out party for Saint Clairsville. After showing flashes during the grassroots season on the Prep Hoops Circuit, Straub has taken his game to new heights this winter as he’s been dunking on anybody in his path to help the Red Devils become one of the top teams in Division V. Always a fluid athlete for his size, Straub has improved his explosiveness and ability to play through contact. Already with multiple Division II programs in pursuit of him early, I’ll be curious to see where his recruitment ends up as he should get plenty of attention from regional Division I and II programs this summer playing for Midwest Basketball Club MHC.

One of the bigger risers this winter from Ohio’s 2026 class, Straub has become much more fluid and confident with the ball in his hands. Always been intrigued by his floor spacing ability at 6’7, Straub is now attacking off the bounce and ending plays with highlight-reel slam dunks. After a slow second and third quarter, Straub took over in the fourth quarter with some tough finishes at the rim with both hands to help his team secure a statement victory. Saint Clairsville needs Straub to stay out of foul trouble if they want to reach their ceiling in March. With college programs starting to take interest in Straub, I expect him to blow up this spring with Midwest Basketball Club.

Straub is another prospect who continues to improve each time I watch him play and has started to take the next step in his game. Straub has grown over the past few months and is becoming more explosive and fluid athletically. I’m also impressed with the shot-making strides he’s taken as well. One of the highest upside players from eastern Ohio, expect scholarship programs to take a hard look at Straub during the grassroots season.

Straub is another player who attended our Expo who has taken a big jump from last year to this year. On Saturday, Straub started slow in the first 5 V 5 game but once he got going, there were few players as dominant as him during the second half of the showcase. Straub has good size for a stretch forward and started knocking down 3-pointers off the catch to wrap up the day. The biggest selling point with Straub is his ability to play above the rim with numerous dunks and layups where he’s getting higher than rim protectors. A high upside prospect who we saw a couple times on the Prep Hoops Circuit, Straub is another player who college coaches will get familiar with sooner rather than later.

Athletic SF for MG22 who had two first half dunks vs IL Warriors. In the second half, he did an excellent job spacing out and converted several more inside buckets. Showed he can score through contact later on with good body control as he backed down an opponent for a layup. Giving them a 9-point lead at this moment. Had his fourth dunk with a quick burst driving baseline. From watching him, I see a really good athlete with nice bounce elite versatility.

Straub is a nice modern forward who can play wing at the next level. He is a nice athlete with size. He had a two-handed vertical dunk in traffic that caught my attention Friday night. He has a really good touch in the midrange game. He showed some great turnaround jumpers. I love his skill.