In a really entertaining game between Wildcat Select 3SSB and the Ohio Buckets , both teams traded scoring runs before Wildcat Select 3SSB made a late push to pull away. The point guard duo of Gunther and Ja’Rye Brown is one of the more talented small guard combos in all of grassroots basketball as both players can really create with the ball in their hands. Gunther does a nice job in the pick and roll as he’s able to turn the corner against hedging bigs and forces the defense to get into rotation. With excellent footwork, Gunther can wiggle his way out of tight situations and limits turnovers. I also liked that Gunther dove on the ground for a loose ball and wanted to guard at the point of attack. After a monster junior season for Youngstown Ursuline, Gunther will be looking to continue to make a name for himself with the program he helped lead to the 16 U 3SSB semifinals last season at Rock Hill.

One of the top scorers in all of Ohio this season, Gunther has been one of the best offensive players in the state this season. So incredibly skilled on the ball, Gunther is tough to trap with two players due to his poise and ability to keep a live dribble in traffic. Excited to see Gunther at the 17 U level on the 3SSB circuit, a great opportunity to see how his frame holds up against Division I level athletes up and down the roster. Gunther also broke the all time scoring record at Ursuline on Tuesday night in a victory over Warren Howland, Gunther is at 1,413 points and counting as he has a playoff run and a senior season to add to that tally, an incredible achievement.

 Leading the way with 30 points, 15 in each half, Gunther continued to show why he’s one of the top scorers in Ohio. Best as a ball handler, Gunther is almost impossible to stay in front of and once Ursuline has the lead late Gunther does an excellent job of getting past traps to head to the foul line. Gunther also had a sick skip pass to the corner to set up a wide open 3-pointer to end the third quarter, showing how he uses his scoring gravity to set teammates up. One of the top point guards in Ohio, Gunther has a handful of Division I offers already and should add to his list this summer.

Youngstown Ursuline had a nice weekend with wins over Canfield and Pickerington Central. Gunther is an elite creator at the high school level, with nobody on the Tigers able to stay in front of him while he was dribbling. Gunther pulling a Nash dribble and scoring was the textbook example of how nobody could stop him from getting where he wanted to. Able to draw two defenders and kickout to teammates all across the court, Gunther can zip the ball to any area on time and on target. After starting the game cold as a shooter, Gunther caught fire in the second quarter and kept that momentum throughout the game with some nasty pull-up jumpers. One of the top point guards in Ohio’s 2027 class, Gunther holds a handful of Division I offers.

Gunther was cooking all weekend long at the Invitational, and seemed to take his game to new heights when the competition got tougher. The 6-foot-1 lead guard had a stellar showing against Garner Road and top 10 nationally ranked Jordan Page, and followed that up the next day with an electric showing in a tough loss to Game Elite and Top 15 nationally ranked Nasir “Rudy” Anderson. Gunther keeps his dribble alive and moves with purpose, keeps his head on a swivel to survey the defense with the precision to find open teammates off cuts or the pick and roll action, moves fluidly off the ball to get open looks from beyond the arc off the catch, which he connected on with regularity. Gunther has shifty moves to keep his defender back-peddling, with use of the in-and-out and wide crossover dribble to create space, can stop on a dime for the mid-range jumper, and has a nice burst of speed off the bounce with great touch on the floater, either down the lane or off the baseline drive. Relentless motor and fearless of the big moments, as Gunther hit big shot after big shot in the two games I saw him play live, and he left impressions on scouts and coaches in attendance. 

One of the most talented offensive players in Ohio’s 2027 class, Gunther is an engine who can create buckets for himself or teammates. When Gunther was able to turn the corner off the pick and roll, he used acrobatic layups to score over taller defenders. An impressive shooter off pull-ups or running off screens, Gunther hit a cold-blooded 3-pointer late in their semifinal battle with Team Lillard to send the game into overtime.

The Ursuline guards phone was blowing up on Sunday fielding inquiries from schools at the mid and high major level. Kent State, Ohio St, Akron Creighton, Miami (OH), VA Tech, Liberty, UAB, YSU, CCU, Furman, Richmond, Notre Dame all contacted the slippery guard from outskirts of Northeast Ohio. Should see a ton more traction from coaches who get out and see him during the summer evaluation periods.

Gunther thrived cruising to different spots on the attack. He effortlessly demonstrates his ability to score around rim. Gunther makes his way to the foul line often and converts chances at the stripe. Gunther hit a few shots from behind the arc. He applied pressure on the defensive end to force turnovers. One thing I like about Gunther’s game is he always stays one step ahead, he is like a fencer in a duel.

Ranked as a Top 5 prospect in the Prep Hoops Ohio Class of 2027 Prospect Rankings, Gunther displayed his explosiveness in the backcourt for Wildcat Select 3SSB 16u on Saturday morning. Gunther is the definition of a point guard. He controls the game with his ball handling, court vision, and calming presence offensively. No amount of ball pressure can get him sped up. The Ursuline High School product holds multiple mid-major offers.

The cruise control point guard continues to impress with his ability to dissect the game on the fly. He never gets sped up and always seems to be in control of the game when he has the ball in his hands. He can change gears with ease and has no problem stopping on the dime. He has a nice array of finishes around the bucket. He has a good pulse of knowing when to find his teammates for scoring chances. He has good touch from the foul line. Gunther was in good spots to collect rebound and able to push the ball up the floor. He shows some flashes from behind the arc but could take a bit of a jump from there.