The class of 2016 in Ohio made their latest mark on the recruiting landscape yesterday, as another one of the state’s top prospects committed to a high-major school. In one of the most talented and deep classes in recent memory, Ohio senior class now has twenty-four players who have already committed to NCAA D1 schools (with several others committed to NCAA D2’s) and it’s only late September! Here’s a rundown of the latest 2016 commitments, as well as a rare underclassmen commitment from around the Buckeye State….
Willie Jackson – ’16 Garfield Heights SF/PF: Jackson became the latest high-major recruit out of Ohio, choosing the Missouri Tigers at a press conference at his Garfield Heights High School in suburban Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon. Jackson selected Missouri just days after visiting their Columbia, MO, campus for his official visit, as the Tigers narrowly beat out schools like Boston College, Temple and Akron. In Jackson, Mizzou head coach Kim Anderson is getting a hyper-athletic combo forward with strength and energy who should really help the Tigers on the glass in SEC play. Jackson becomes the latest in a long line of Garfield Heights players to sign at the highest level, and Bulldogs coach Sonny Johnson probably still has one more on his hands this year, as wing guard Frankie Hughes is expected to commit to a high or mid-major NCAA D1 school later this fall.
Ennis Thomas – ’16 Westerville South SG: Thomas committed to NCAA D2 school Lake Erie College out of the Cleveland area earlier this week, the first of what would turn out to be two in-state commitments this week for LEC. Thomas is an athletic wing guard who was a huge piece in Westerville South’s run to the State Finals last year and also a reason while his team is picked to be among the favorites to capture that title this season.
Gabe Kennard – ’16 Toledo St. John’s PG: One of the top 2016’s in the Toledo area, Kennard, a powerfully built point guard who can also score, became Lake Erie College’s second in-state commitment this week, as he pledged to play for LEC on Tuesday. Combining with Thomas and Bedford power forward Lamont Rhodes, Kennard represents part of a three man class for the in-state school who not only secured three solid Ohio prospects but also three prospects from different parts of the state.
Blake Furcron – ’16 Elyria SG: To be honest, we’re only familiar with Furcron in name; as he’s been mentioned by Northeastern Ohio basketball minds as a potential sleeper in the 2016 class. But unfortunately, TDP has not had a chance to evaluate the high scoring wing. However, at least one college took note of the 6’2 scorer this past week, as Furcron committed to Ohio Dominican University shortly after being offered by head coach Dan Evans. The third NCAA D2 commit of the week from the 2016 class, Furcron is a prospect we hope to watch this year as a senior at Elyria.
CJ Fleming – ’17 Cincinnati LaSalle PG: Just about a week after Cleveland St. Edward point guard Tommy Schmock verbally committed to Findlay, Cincinnati LaSalle’s Fleming became the second point guard from Ohio’s 2017 class to verbally commit to an NCAA D2 program. The 5’10 floor general, known for his toughness, vision and scoring committed to Bellarmine, a top-10 NCAA D2 program out of Louisville, KY. In Fleming, Bellarmine head coach Scott Davenport is getting his point guard of the future, as Fleming fits well into Davenport’s culture that emphasizes toughness and fundamentals.
