Playing in an environment that can be described as a combination of the NBA All-Star Game and an And One mixtape, Kobi Simmons flashed his five-star potential.
The Buckeye target took part in the Under Armour Elite 24, Saturday, along with 23 other top prospects from the 2016 and 2017 classes. It had the feel of a classic New York City streetball contest thanks to the backdrop and the emcee, Hannibal, who is the voice of Rucker Park hoops. Plus, both offenses were iso-heavy and hardly anyone exerted energy on the defensive end.
So, this article will not delve into Simmons' ability to grasp high-level defensive concepts or to get others involved in the flow of the offense. Had it been an AAU or high school contest, a more detailed scouting report would be provided.
Still, Simmons showed off his ability to break down defenders one-on-one. He recorded his first highlight within seconds of entering the game:
"Kobi Simmons is a scoring point guard," ESPN analyst Paul Biancardi said, in reaction to the above play. "He's tremendous inside the arc and around the rim."
That statement turned out to be prophetic, as Simmons later deftly switched hands on this layup attempt:
Lastly, because it was a glorified streetball game, Simmons whipped out this trick before getting fouled:
We still might see those handles on the court at Value City Arena. Ohio State is so heavily involved in Simmons' recruitment that the staff has to expect a scholarship will inevitably open up for him. After all, he's visiting Sept. 11 – a week before the originally scheduled date – and he still openly commends the job OSU did in recruiting other players.
"Definitely what they did with D’Angelo Russell, Simmons told SNY.tv. "They kept his promise, made him a high priority."
According to Scout.com, he will no longer take a trip to Xavier and, instead, will visit UNLV. The Alpharetta, Georgia native only has one other visit planned, one which should worry Buckeye fans. Simmons is set to see Kentucky this weekend and, according to him, UK is very much in the mix.
Funderburk Announces Transfer
Buckeye commit Derek Funderburk Jr. declared his intention to leave the state of Ohio for his senior season two weeks ago. Now we know the destination.
Like David West, Marreese Speights, Terry Rozier and former – albeit, briefly – Buckeye Eric Wallace, Funderburk Jr. will attend Hargrave Military Academy. The former St. Edward center won a state title with the Eagles in 2014 and reached the state semifinals this year.
He joins fellow 2016 OSU commit Micah Potter in transferring away from a Northeast Ohio school for a final prep season. Potter will play at Montverde Academy after spending his first three years at Mentor.
"I really think that I'll develop. Regardless of where I go, I'll develop," Funderburk Jr. told Cleveland.com. "It wasn't anything about exposure. I have enough exposure."
Recapping Chandler's Visit
Although he does not have an offer yet, four-star point guard Jay Jay Chandler remains in close contact with Ohio State.
Chandler visited Columbus, Friday, as part of a regional tour of college campuses. He also spent time at Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Memphis.
"It was incredible and it was super special. Coach Matta sat and talked to us for an hour," his father told HoopSeen.com. "We saw the everyday life of the basketball program and they feel like Jay is their type of player, too."
