GRBA Nationals

Jayvon Maughmer

With the final weekend of travel basketball upon us, many of the top Ohio teams chose to spend the weekend in Fort Wayne (IN) to participate in the GRBA National Championships. Although, due to this year’s NCAA Recruiting Calendar, NCAA D1 schools were unable to attend, the gyms were still full of NCAA D2, NCAA D3 and NAIA programs, as well as various scouting services, including Triple Double Prospects. Here’s the rundown of Ohio based prospects who impressed us with their play on Friday….

Jayvon Maughmer – ’20 SG Chillicothe: The most impressive Ohio performer of the day, Maughmer led his underdog Mid-Ohio Pumas team through an overtime thriller against a talent-laden Michigan Playmakers squad, and, although the Pumas fell just short, Maughmer stole the show with his scoring. The 6’3 wing guard displayed a polished and versatile all-around offensive skill-set, with the ability to make the long-range shot, attack off the dribble with a smooth style and pass the ball in the Pumas’ half-court sets. When he’s aggressive there’s no denying Maughmer’s talent or upside, as he’s a long and fluid athlete who is just scratching the surface of his potential. Although he holds various NCAA D1 and D2 offers, Maughmer reported to TDP that he’s primarily considering a pair of in-state D2’s in Cedarville and Ashland.

Aidan Noyes – ’21 SF Cincinnati Moeller: Noyes is a name gaining a ton of traction in recruiting circles, even though he played on the Junior Varsity team last season at Moeller. Playing with Mid-Ohio Pumas 16u squad, Noyes built on the reputation he developed in team camps with Moeller this June, as well as at the OHSBCA Showcase, showing again that he’s a deadly scorer with tremendous athletic upside. Noyes attacked and finished above the rim in transition and made open shots with consistency, but it was his ability to create a shot for himself off of one to three dribbles that was most impressive; as Noyes mixture of size at 6’5, along with skill and excellent athleticism make him a tough cover. Will he blow up at Moeller and be reminiscent of a Jaxson Hayes or Jeremiah Davenport ascent; that remains to be seen, but regardless we expect Noyes to have a big junior year at Moeller.

Kalen Etzler – ’21 PF Convoy Crestview: After playing with All-Ohio Red for their entire travel season, Etzler switched over to run with the host team, Indy Heat EYBL for the final weekend, where he was given the opportunity to suit up with their 17u team, despite being a class of 2021 prospect. The results were in Etzler’s favor, as the 6’8 forward stretched the floor with his shooting, moved the ball well in a crisp Indy Heat offense and attacked off the dribble with more confidence then when we saw him last this spring. Etzler’s athleticism and fluidity at 6’8, along with his ability to shoot the ball with extreme accuracy from three are two of the reasons why he’s already given a verbal commitment to Ohio State; however, as he continues to add more strength and more physical play to his arsenal he has the upside to become an even more dominant prospect.

Tyrese Hughey – ’21 PF Thomas Worthington: We profiled Hughey’s success in Atlanta with C2K Elite at the Under Armour Finals, with the 6’7 forward following up on that performance with another strong showing in Fort Wayne, this time suiting up for the Ohio Hoopsters. Whether it was scoring with the mid-range jumper, going to work in the post or just bullying defenders for finishes off of drop-off passes around the rim, Hughey was as dominant of a scorer as he wanted to be on Friday. His ability to get off his feet quickly to finish around the rim, as well as his increased shooting consistency, all coupled with his frame, make him one of the most intriguing prospects in Ohio’s 2021 class; and, even though he’s already received a pair of NCAA D1 offers, we’re surprised Hughey hasn’t accumulated more offers to this point.

Jonah Waag – ’21 SG Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joe’s: This was our first true live look at Waag, after hearing some very positive feedback on him from fellow scouts, and we came away very impressed with his all-around floor game with his TNBA 16u squad. Waag showed the versatility to be a combo guard with size, length and mobility at 6’2, and was able to get his teammates involved or find offense for himself in attacking in transition and the half-court. A high IQ guard with a good motor who also impacted the game defensively, Waag is going to see his name in print a whole lot more during his junior season at Cleveland VASJ, where we fully expect him to become one of NE Ohio’s premiere guards. If Waag can continue to improve on the reliability of his jumper, watch out, as this kid would become a heck of a prospect!

Josh Irwin – ’21 PF West Geauga: Of all of the Ohio prospects whom we evaluated on Friday, none gave more effort, or displayed more passion, on the court then Irwin, a 6’5 strong-bodied forward out of Northeast Ohio running with TNBA. Known in recruiting circles as a pick and pop big who can shoot the three, Irwin (who is still getting back to 100% after some injuries) showed the ability to score in the paint with his strength and grit, make open shots as always, as well as make high IQ plays in TNBA’s half-court offense. There are going to be some who will question his size as a 6’5 forward most comfortable at the four-spot, but Irwin can get a lot of things done on the floor and brings great intangibles to the table.

Honorable Mention: Caleb Piks (’20 Mentor), Johnny Manning (’20 Midview), Cooper Parrot (’20 Williard), Ezra McKee (’20 Wooster), Cameron Seeman (’21 Cincinnati McNicholas), Henry Raynor (’21 Cleveland St. Ignatius), Chance Groce (’21 Columbus Linden-McKinley), Elhadji Thiam (’21 Pickerington Central), Jalen Sullinger (’21 Thomas Worthington),