Even though the top two players left and the best remaining player is committed to Syracuse, Ohio State has a chance to capitalize on the depth in Ohio's 2016 class.
According to 247Sports' composite rankings, V.J. King and Omari Spellman were the highest ranked juniors in the state. The five-star King now plays for Paul VI in Virginia, while Spellman – a Villanova commit – moved to Massachusetts. Matthew Moyer (Gahanna Lincoln) is the highest ranked player left in his class but pledged to the Orange in August. Four-star center Jon Teske was also an OSU target but he committed to Michigan.
Despite the defections and commitments to out of state schools, the Buckeyes are still in prime position to land one of the remaining juniors. Thad Matta could use it to bolster his team's frontcourt depth.
Ohio State has been interested in four-star big man Derek Funderburk (St. Edward) for over a year. His stock will continue to rise, especially if St. Edward makes another run at the state title as the No. 2 seed in the Akron region.
The Buckeyes spent the past week focused on more big men in Funderburk's class. Both Micah Potter (Mentor) and Nick Ward (Gahanna Lincoln) took unofficial visits for the Purdue game, Sunday. Ward has an OSU offer and is destined to face fellow offeree Seth Towns (Northland) in the "Columbus 3" District Final.
Potter, whose Mentor squad is the No. 7 seed in the Cleveland region, does not have a Buckeye offer. Matta doesn't extend one until after he's seen a prospect play in person. He and assistant Jeff Boals were on hand to watch Potter, Monday, however:
Coach Matta in the house here tonight @MentorAthletics pic.twitter.com/pXguZWaPIe
— Mike Cairns (@MikeCairns5) March 3, 2015
Mitchell Seals Playoff Win
The Texas high school basketball playoffs are also underway and, as I wrote last week, Mickey Mitchell's Plano West squad is on the path to winning a state title.
The Wolves narrowly avoided an upset, Wednesday night. Cedar Hill played a slow-paced game and limited Plano West transition opportunities. Mitchell's team trailed 26-23 at half and didn't take its first lead until the final six minutes of the game.
Up a bucket with only 10 seconds left, Plano West was at the free throw line. That's where Mitchell cleaned up a miss:
Mickey Mitchell with the clutch put Back #ohiostate #pointforward pic.twitter.com/bGHLXCRIYD
— stephen jackson (@aauhoopstx) March 5, 2015
Grandstaff Racking Up Accolades
Unlike Mitchell, Austin Grandstaff's team did not make the state playoffs. The sharpshooting Texan will still find a way to stay busy this spring.
He sent this tweet, referring to the American Family Insurance High School Three-Point Championships in Indianapolis:
got invited to the high school three point contest at the final 4 3
— Austin Grandstaff (@AustinGstaff1) March 4, 2015
Today, Grandstaff also learned he will be a part of the Jordan Brand Classic, which takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, April 17. The game will also feature Franklin, Ohio native Luke Kennard and will be televised on ESPN2.
Buckeyes who played in the event prior to arriving in Columbus: William Buford (2008), Kosta Koufos (2007), B.J. Mullens (2008), Greg Oden (2006), D'Angelo Russell (2014), Shannon Scott (2011), Jared Sullinger (2010) and DeShaun Thomas (2010).
