Grant Whisman
The first of two April live periods, in which NCAA D1 schools are allowed on the road to evaluate prospects on their club teams, drew many of the region’s (and nation’s) top collegiate programs to Indianapolis this weekend, as the Adidas Gauntlet regional circuit was in town. Several Ohio teams competed on either the Gold or Silver Gauntlet, with Triple Double Prospects being on hand for both Friday night and Saturday action. Here are some of the top performers who caught our eye among the games we evaluated….
Christian Guess – ’18 SF Cleveland Shaker Heights: An unsigned senior who will be taking a prep school year next year, the 6’7 Guess was the top scorer and most aggressive offensive option for Ohio Basketball Club. A high-wire act with great athleticism as well as size on the wing, Guess can get to the rim and make plays off the dribble, competes with a lot of energy and passion and has a ton of long-term upside as he continues to put all of the pieces together. If the prep school year goes the way we think it could, Guess will attract high-major D1 offers with his athletic ability and knack for scoring big buckets.
Evan Bainbridge – ’19 PF Stow Munroe-Falls: A name we’d heard but a player whom we had not evaluated before, the 6’8 Bainbridge was impressive in our two viewings of Ohio Basketball Club, as he stretched the floor with his three-point shooting and showed decent mobility for a long and slender 6’8 forward. Bainbridge is still transitioning to playing against elite athletes like he will on the Adidas circuit, but appeared to be up for the challenge, impressing many D1 coaches in Friday’s win over a talented ITPS Wildcats team out of the Pittsburgh area.
Andre Harris – ’19 SG Cleveland Brush: The man who create plays off of the dribble for ITPS Wildcats, Harris was impressive in his ability to attack the basket and make plays. A long and smooth athlete at 6’2, Harris is fluid in attacking off the dribble, changes directions well and can score around the rim; and, while he didn’t shoot a ton, Harris also showcased the ability to make perimeter shots on Saturday, knocking down a pair of threes against a loaded D1 Minnesota team. With the ability to play point guard or shooting guard, and the physical tools to guard either position, this was the start of what could be a breakout summer for Harris.
Grant Whisman – ’20 SF Middletown Madison: Perhaps the top shooter in Ohio regardless of class, Whisman has a picturesque release that will impress college coaches, considering the shot is coming from a 6’7 sophomore. A skilled offensive player with good vision as a passer and a calm style of handling the ball, Whisman can score in bunches when he’s aggressive, and we like him both as a wing forward or a hybrid power forward who can play in the pick-and-pop game. There’s no question that Whisman will be recruited at the D1 level, as it’s just a matter of which schools will prioritize his style as a skilled shooting wing who thrives in a slower system of play.
Grant Huffman – ’20 SG Cleveland St. Edward: Huffman has been one of our favorite 2020’s in Ohio for a while now, as he has a great offensive feel and a knack for creating offense, whether it’s for himself or others. This was all the case on Friday night, as Huffman was special in Ohio Basketball Club’s blowout win over Louisville Magic. The 6’3 combo guard made a couple of perimeter shots, made plays for teammates off drive and kicks and finished at the rim with touch when the defense failed to help. While he’s not necessarily the best athlete on the floor each game at this level, Huffman also proved he’s a more then capable defender, using his length to create steals for easy layups. A kid who just knows how to play, word among college coaches was that Huffman is going to be someone who is highly recruited over the next few years.
Montorie Foster – ’20 PG Cleveland St. Edward: Huffman’s teammate with both Ed’s and OBC, Foster is the defensive and vocal leader for this team, as he is absolute hound with his ball pressure. A tough and athletic 6’0 guard, Foster showed great speed in the open floor and is an aggressive slasher who is always looking to get his feet in the paint. While we’re still not sold on how consistently he shoots the ball from three, Foster is one of Ohio’s top overall point guards with his ability to manage the game, attack in spots and lock up the opponent’s best perimeter scorer.
Other Top Performers: Greg Tribble (’19 PG Cincinnati Winton Woods), Alex Mangold (’20 PF Lakota East), Zach Loveday (’20 PF/C Gallipolis Gallia Academy), Mark Wise (’20 SG Cincinnati Deer Park), Evan Prater (’20 SF Cincinnati Wyoming), Andy Barba (’20 SG Cleveland Benedictine), Dominic Moegerle (’20 SF Akron Butchel), Jack Pugh (’21 SF Hilliard Bradley),
Notes: TDP also spent some time at the Circle City Shootout in Indianapolis on Sunday. Top performers from that event include Queen City Prophets’ athletic 6’3 SG Max Land, a 2020 prospect from Cincinnati Moeller, as well as members of the Cincinnati Lakers 17u team in 6’5 SF Ibrahima Athie (’19 Cincinnati Deer Park), 6’6 PF AJ Garrett (’19 Cincinnati Purcell Marian), PG Milton Gage (’19 Dayton Chaminade Julienne) and PG Ryan Marchal (’19 Centerville).
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