Unveiling updated basketball prospect rankings this week, ESPN has ranked several Ohio State targets and commits among the nation's best players. The biggest surprise, however, is the rise of Buckeye commit Dane Goodwin, who went from being previously unranked, to No. 42 in the nation. Let's take a look at where the prospects grade out among the best of the best.
Class of 2017
Kris Wilkes - No. 11
Offered by Ohio State on Wednesday, Wilkes is one of the absolute best players in the country, coming in at No. 11. The 6-foot-7, 180-pound Indianapolis wing is as good as they come, as the Buckeyes joined the party with an offer during Wilkes' visit to campus on Wednesday. While Ohio State might have joined the party too late, a Wilkes commitment to the Buckeyes would be a bit of a miracle, and would really elevate what is already expected to be a good team in 2017-18.
MJ Walker - No. 18
The Jonesboro, Ga., wing guard Walker wrapped up a strong spring by coming in at No. 18. At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, Walker has great size and athleticism, and would be a great fit within Thad Matta's system. According to ESPN, Walker is down to Auburn, Florida State and Ohio State.
Markell Johnson - No. 48
It appears Johnson is going to stay in the 2017 class, as he comes in at No. 48 in the nation. After a very strong EYBL season with King James, Johnson is playing some of his best ball, and recently took an official visit to NC State earlier in the week. With over a dozen offers, it's anybody's guess who tops Johnson's list at the moment.
Jordan Goodwin - No. 54
The most recent blue-chipper that Ohio State has targeted, Goodwin comes in just a few spots behind Johnson. At 6-foot-4, Goodwin is listed as a point guard by ESPN, and is a damn good one at that. An elite slasher that uses his size, strength and athleticism to get to the rim, Goodwin holds offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, Purdue, Texas and Texas A&M.
Nojel Eastern - No. 74
The lengthy Eastern cracks the top 75, coming in at No. 74. At 6-foot-6, Eastern is a big and versatile play-making wing, holding more than 15 other offers outside Ohio State, from schools such as Michigan State, UCLA and Marquette.
Kaleb Wesson - No. 85
The massive Wesson cracks the top 100 once again, coming in at No. 85. While All-Ohio Red had a disappointing EYBL season, going 5-11, Wesson was solid for the most part, giving his team a major presence in the post. Fresh off a state championship this past season, Wesson has a chance to lead Westerville South back to another Division I regional championship as a senior.
Kyle Young - No. 86
Previously unranked, Young's breakout EYBL season for King James has him at No. 86, just one spot behind Wesson. One of the EYBL's most versatile wings, Young had a stellar season, showing an ability to take over with his scoring, rebounding and defense. Young has been one of the top targets among several Big Ten programs, including Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
Class of 2018
Tim Finke - No. 37
The 6-foot-6 Champaign, Ill. wing is the highest-ranked Ohio State target in the 2018 class, coming in at No. 37 in ESPN's 2018 Top 60. Playing up in the 17u EYBL this past season, Finke took his bumps and bruises, as we expect a challenging AAU season to help him turn into an even more dominant player at the high school level. Recruiting Finke as long as nearly anyone, Ohio State is looking to land the lengthy wing to a 2018 class that has a chance to be pretty good.
Darius Bazley - No. 38
We said it would be just a matter of time before Bazley became a household name, and it now appears to be that time as the lengthy Finneytown wing comes in right behind Finke at No. 38. Listed as a power forward, Bazley, who is a thin 6-foot-8 wing with tremendous agility and dexterity, is more of a small forward to us, as he likes to play out on the perimeter and make plays with the ball. Bazley's upside is as good as they come, and ESPN has seemed to recognize that.
Dane Goodwin - No. 42
Making a large rise to No. 42 in the nation, Goodwin's play in the 16u EYBL has cemented the Ohio State commit among the best players in America. Catching a ton of heat for offering Goodwin so early, Matta and his staff are looking more like geniuses at this point, as the Upper Arlington wing has developed into a blue-chip prospect. A strong junior season could help Goodwin keep rising higher in the rankings.
Class of 2019
While no current Ohio State prospects appear in ESPN's Top 25 in 2019, the Buckeyes have been active in the rising sophomore class, as Trotwood-Madison wing Amari Davis took a visit to campus this past weekend. Davis is an athletic wing that is ranked among Ohio's best in the rising sophomore class.
Gahanna Lincoln rising sophomore wing Jordan Mitchell, who received an offer from Ohio State in February, added an offer from Florida over the weekend. Talented enough to be considered among the nation's best 25 prospects in 2019, Mitchell is a dominant two-way player that the Buckeyes have been all over since day one.
