Buckeye Prep Invitational Recap

Triple Double Prospects opened the AAU season on Saturday at Rob Taylor’s annual Buckeye Prep Invitational, which as always featured some of the top talent in the state of Ohio (along with Pennsylvania and Michigan). With the 16u and 17u action being in one place TDP focused in the talent there; where we saw some young prospects for the first time that have a good chance to jump into the next set of rankings. Here are the top performers that we saw on Saturday……

Mike Wells

• Mike Wells – ’13 Delaware Hayes PG: Running the show for the Ohio Hoopsters the 5’10 Wells did everything but officiate on the floor. Using his elite speed to push the pace Wells showed a nice crossover and was able to get by his man at will. TDP really liked his decision making off his penetration as he didn’t over-penetrate into the shotblockers but instead shot pull-up jumpers or made the assists. Wells also knocked down several three-point shots in two games.
  

• Alex Stewart – ’14 Westerville North PF/C: The first thing that sticks out with 6’5 220 pounder playing with Ohio Varsity is how much his body has changed. Stewart was the strongest player on the floor while also having the conditioning to get up and down well. Inside his post game has flourished, although he is undersized he has a nice ability to read the defense and drop step to finish through contact, or pass the ball out if he’s doubled. Stewart dominated the glass in two games, using his physicality to hold off more athletic players.

• Parrish Martin – ’14 Alliance PG: No one knew much about the 6’0 combo guard, playing with SMAC out of Cleveland, heading into the game. 24 points later, and after he single handedly kept his team alive in a double overtime loss to Ohio Varsity, everyone was asking about Martin. Absolutely dominant in the mid-range game he used a combination of strength, skill, and speed to get by his man and his pull-up from 12-17 feet simply did not miss. Very good ballhandler who was able to handle the constant trapping of the defense and take advantage by dribbling through it. Martin is someone TDP will have a close eye on in future events as he might be one of the top under the radar guards in Ohio’s 2014 class.

• Jalen Tucker – ’14 Columbus Northland SF/PF: A 16u player playing up with the 17u Nova Village team (which is made up almost entirely of that kind of prospect) Tucker took the King James 17u defenders to school out of the mid and high post all game long. A long 6’6 combo forward with a nice handle and some developing footwork the athletic Tucker has rapidly improved. His toughness and motor were evident in battling against the older competition and he showed a knack for finishing with soft touch around the rim.

• Shemar Waugh – ’14 Canal Winchester PG: Also playing up with the 17u Nova Village team the young guard might have been the most productive guard in his game against King James (even more impressive when you look at how many guards on both teams are ranked by TDP). What sticks out about Waugh every time we see him is his competitiveness and his fearlessness, this kid wants the ball in his hands at all times. Waugh is a triple threat offensively; he can take you to the rim, shoot the jumper from deep, and shows very good vision as a passer. He’s still on the small side at a skinny 5’9 but his heart makes up for it.
  

• Marquiez Lawrence– ’13 Columbus Marion Franklin C: Over the last year the King James prospect has grown to a legit 6’8 while also learning to keep his emotions in check; that spells trouble for the competition. Few players have the length, athleticism, motor, or toughness of Lawrence and that was on full display as he battled in the low post. While he is still a little thin he has added muscle to his frame and has also improved on his once limited skill set. Lawrence’s effort makes him a safe prospect for schools and he is one of the big sleepers in 2013 in Ohio.

• Juan Ford – ’14 Huber Heights Wayne SG: The strong 6’2 combo guard showed some true aggressiveness while playing with his King James 16u squad. Very good ballhandler that knows how to use his body to bully his way to the rack and score. More of a scoring guard he can also set up teammates; but what impressed the most about Ford was the improvement in his jumpshot. Now that he can hit the mid-range pull-up he might be able to become one of the best scorers off the dribble in his class.

Other Notable Prospects:

Parrish Martin

• John Draper – ‘13 Columbus Eastmoor PG: Smooth guard with competitive fire for Nova Village.
• Rob Jackson – ‘13 Cleveland Harvey PF: Elite athlete threw down five dunks at 6’6 for Millennium Fire.
• Kevin Greenhow – ‘13 Columbus Brookhaven SG: Workhorse and athletic slasher for King James.
• Trey Fletcher – ‘13 Ironton SF/PF: Powerful and skilled 6’6 wing for King James.
• Davonte Wilson – ‘14 Columbus Brookhaven SG: Unknown defensive stopper for Ohio Varsity.
• Ben Harraway – ‘14 Norwalk PG: Tough and athletic point with a tight handle for Ohio Varsity.
• Vincent Edwards – ‘14 Middletown SF/PF: Not his best day but was top prospect in attendance for King James.
• Justin Bibbs – ‘14 Dayton Chaminade Julienne SG: Had an average day but is improving his jumper for King James.
• Zach McCormick – ‘14 Cincinnati Turpin SG: Struggled with shot but attacked rim well for King James.
• Javon Bess – ‘14 Pickerington Central SG/SF: Showed point guard skills at 6’5 for King James.
• Isaac McGlone – ‘13 Bloom Carroll PG: Learning role with King James but crafty shooter and passer.  
• Aaron Jackson – ‘13 SG/SF Gahanna Lincoln: Pure scoring wing keeps growing and improving with King James.  
• Brandon Manley – ‘14 Canal Winchester PF: Hardworking young post is still raw for Nova Village.  
• Nick Detlev – ‘14 Willoughby Osborne Academy C: True 7’0, can’t teach that, but still raw for SMAC.
• Jeff Thomas – ‘14 Norwalk SG: Tough scorer has a lot of talent for Ohio Varsity.
• Travis Gleeson – ‘14 Reynoldsburg PG: Undersized but quick and tough lead guard for Ohio Varsity.
• Alex Murphy – ‘14 Licking Heights SF: Smooth wing continues to impress TDP with Ohio Varsity.  
• Ty Hairston – ‘14 Columbus Northland SG: Really talented offensive prospect with vision for Ohio Varsity.
• Ronnie Williams – ‘14 Columbus Brookhaven SG: Athletic slasher that has improved his intensity for Ohio Varsity.
• Brian Marshall – ‘13 Columbus Thomas Worthington C: Under the radar athletic 6’7 for Ohio Hoopsters.
• Will Hill – ‘13 Columbus Thomas Worthington PG: Pure point is undersized at 5’9 but can play for Ohio Hoopsters.
• Kenny Robinson – ‘13 Columbus Africentric SG: Scoring guard with smooth release on jumper for Ohio Hoopsters.
• Darnell Mesky – ‘13 Columbus Walnut Ridge PG/SG: Quick and strong scoring guard for Ohio Hoopsters.