Landon Vanderwarker
About Landon
Expert Analysis
Shane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Vanderwarker is one of the most consistent and reliable players in the state. This is for many reasons, but the main reason is you cannot stop him. His size and strength are overwhelming for most and this included Westerville South. He also has great playmaking ability. He makes everyone on his team better. He did a great job of finding an open teammate. He showed off the ability to score on any level of the court. I thought his playmaking ability was great and then realized he was also the leading scorer of the game. Just an impressive display of high-level basketball.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
I’m not sure any 2025 Division I recruit has boosted their stock as much as Vanderwalker has this winter. Taking massive strides as a shooter and looking more confident on the ball. Delaware Hayes is one of the best ball movement teams in the state and having an alpha scorer like Vanderwalker taking that next step in his game has allowed the Pacers to secure some marquee wins this season.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
No 2025 Division I commit in Ohio looks more improved from July to now than Vanderwalker. The confidence he’s playing with is at an all-time high and he’s been sensational in both games I’ve seen Delaware Hayes play this season. Improving as a 3-point shooter has helped unlock the rest of his game and Vanderwalker is now spacing the floor while also doing everything else he’s been great at like rebounding, passing and playing with a high feel. His highlight play came off a steal where Vanderwalker soared for one of his patented left-handed slams. If Vanderwalker is playing at this level, the Pacers have a shot to go back-to-back as Columbus regional champions.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
I’m not sure if any senior has made as big of a jump from July to December as Vanderwalker has. A dominant performance against Brunswick, that was the best game I’ve seen him play in his career. Vanderwalker did a little bit of everything with some impressive skip passes to shooters, he jumped passing lanes and finished with slam dunks in transition, he blocked a couple shots and rebounded the ball at a high level. Vanderwalker also shot the ball from the outside with the most confidence I’ve ever seen from him on Sunday. He hit multiple 3-pointers and some tough mid-range shots. Even a couple of his misses looked like they were going in and were shot in rhythm.
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
Delaware Hayes went to the Division I state title game last season and if they are going to return to that stage, Vanderwalker will need to have a monster senior season. The Kent State commit has the size and skill to put up huge numbers and he’s surrounded by enough talent to continue to be one of the top teams in Columbus. In 2020 a forward from Columbus committed to Kent State won Mr Basketball, could Vanderwalker follow in VonCameron Davis’ footsteps?
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
The most productive player on the 17 U 3SSB squad on Sunday, Vanderwalker was active on both ends of the court. Scoring early and often in the paint, Vanderwalker used his frame, patience and pivots to create space to score at the rim. When Vanderwalker gets to the paint off the bounce or crashes the offensive glass, he can shoot a high percentage. Combine that with Vanderwalker knocking down some time and space jumpers and his efficiency was high on Sunday. The main skill improvement I’d like to see from Vanderwalker is being more confident using his left hand on drives and finishes, that will help him be even tougher to stop in the paint with his strong frame and solid touch at the rim.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Vanderwalker is a transfer to Delaware Hayes this year and it took his team to the next level. He is a big strong physical kid that’s great athleticism and skill to go along with it. His physicality takes his game and separates him from most. He uses his strength to dictate contact on both ends of the floor. He can defend almost every position on the floor and will bully anyone. He finishes the ball strong and has a great touch. When he was in the game for the Regional Final Hayes was in dominant control. He is the most impactful player I watched this year and was someone that I loved watching. He is tough. He has the skill and touch. He is athletic. Just have whatever you want. 
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Read EvaluationMichael Roth | Prep Hoops Scout
When Delaware Hayes went on a big run in the third quarter, it was Vanderwalker at the center of it. Scoring off second chance points in the paint, running out in transition and creating fast break chances with steals, Vanderwalker got going and the Pacer crowd was going nuts after they took the lead. The highlight of the game was a Vanderwalker steal and slam dunk going off his right foot to bring the house down. When Vanderwalker is rebounding the ball, using his strength to score around the rim and running the floor, he’s efficient from the field and gets to the foul line. Delaware Hayes does graduate two starters, but with Vanderwalker and a solid 2026 core, the Pacers will be a threat to return to UD Arena next season.
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Vanderwalker was the best player on the court in his Regional finals game. He finished the game with 17 points and was the most impactful player for Hayes. He guarded Orange’s best player and used his physicality to cause him to be uncomfortable at all points of the game. His strength and physicality were huge on both sides of the floor for him. He got a ton of rebounds and had at least 10. He then was getting to the rack consistently and finishing at a high level. He finished extremely strong at the rim and was not shying away from contact. Orange has no answers for his style of play. He and Burris have been mismatch issues all season long, and last night, Vanderwalker exposed his. 
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Read EvaluationShane Garcia | Prep Hoops Scout
Vanderwalker has taken this Delaware Hayes team to the next level. He and Burris are a mismatch problem for other teams because I can think of many teams that have two players who can check him and Burris all game. The duo was the difference in the game late. Westerville North fought back into the game but when the game got close Vanderwalker and Burris traded buckets back and forth and put the game out of reach. He is just a physical and strong kid that is dominant in the paint. He makes great strong moves in the paint with strong finishing. He is a monster on the boards. He has a great 2nd jump that allows him to get a ton of rebounds and second-chance points. Vanderwalker was a mismatch issue all night. 
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