Nichols had a big end to his Junior season, helping lead Archbishop Hoban to a Division I state championship. Nichols is a strong guard who has improved defensively and made that part of his game a strength. Elusive with the ball in his hands, there’s few isolation scorers as talented as Nichols. Recently taken visits to Eastern Michigan and hometown Akron, I expect more MAC and other regional mid major programs to stay active on Nichols as he makes a decision.

A state champion with Hoban, Nichols has made major strides with his body and defensive ability over the past 12 months and it’s really paid off. A role player for Indy Heat, Nichols scored 53 points during the EYBL regular season. If Nichols can make a leap as a 3-point shooter it could really open up the rest of his game, as he shot just 5/23 during EYBL play. As an isolation scorer at the high school level there’s few guys better than him and with his leap defensively that he made he is getting ready to play early at the college level. As a decision maker Nichols had a 13/5 A/TO ratio for Indy Heat, which is a limited sample but showing that he takes care of the basketball. Hoban loses a couple key pieces from their state championship squad, but Nichols and Sam Greer Sam Greer 6'8" | C Archbishop Hoban | 2026 OH will try and bring the Knicks back to contention this upcoming season.

Nichols finished his Junior season as a state champion with some impressive play during their playoff run. For Indy Heat Nichols plays a complimentary role as a starter, looking to attack closeouts off the ball. Nichols was impressive from the mid-range, going 7/10 from 2-point range this weekend. Always been a better shooter from 15-18 feet than 3-point range, Nichols went just 1/10 from beyond the arc. A complimentary off-ball piece, Nichols didn’t have the ball in his hands a ton but made good decisions when he got it with four assists to just two turnovers. Defensively is where I think Nichols has taken the biggest leap in the past 12 months, becoming an impact on-ball defender. I like a lot of what Nichols brings to a team from the wing guard position and expect low to mid major programs to continue to monitor him this spring and summer.

A state champion, Nichols took his game to the next level this March and got the ring to back it up. A notable change in his game has been his commitment to the defensive end of the court. Nichols has always had the tools to be an impact defender but now he’s being more active in help-side defense and his body makes it tough for players to outmuscle him on attacks. You can catch Nichols with Indy Heat on the EYBL circuit this spring and summer, as he has interest from numerous low to mid major programs right now.

The game against Walsh Jesuit was one of my favorite games I’ve ever seen Nichols play, and he had a relatively quiet scoring night. The impact Nichols made on the defensive end was very encouraging in my eyes. I liked how engaged Nichols was as an off-ball defender, providing help-side defense, taking a charge and making smart double teams. Nichols has also improved his body as he continues to develop in the weight room. Nichols is a prospect that MAC schools have already offered and will continue to get Division I interest from low and mid major programs.