As Ohio State continues to shape its 2017 basketball recruiting class, the picture got a little clearer on Monday. The Buckeyes' primary target on the wing, Massillon Jackson rising senior forward Kyle Young, included Ohio State in a trimmed list of schools released on Twitter.
Beyond blessed and humbled Here is my final 5 pic.twitter.com/sRW6T0B69u
— Kyle Young (@kyleyoung3144) July 25, 2016
Young, a four-star forward ranked at No. 85 according to ESPN, has the Buckeyes listed in addition to Michigan, Butler, Clemson and Purdue. While Ohio State entered the picture a bit late on Young, who blossomed this spring and summer with King James during the EYBL season, the Buckeyes are thought to be his presumptive leader.
Young did not disclose a timetable for his decision, but an announcement could come before national signing day in November. A versatile forward that can mix it up both on the wing and in the post, Young fits what Ohio State looks for out of its perimeter players, and is the type of fit the Buckeyes are looking to add to a 2017 class with just one commitment.
Needing a wing and a guard to compliment Kaleb Wesson — who committed to the Buckeyes more than a year ago — Ohio State is looking to add Young into the mix and set its sights on a dynamic guard to put in the backcourt. Ohio State remains in the race for the services of top recruits Jordan Goodwin, MJ Walker and Nojel Eastern, all top 100 players from outside of Ohio.
Another wing guard that Ohio State is heavy on is Troy Brown Jr. of Las Vegas, who cut his list to eight earlier Thursday, including the Buckeyes. Brown, the 13th-ranked player nationally in the 2017 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, listed Ohio State among Alabama, Arizona, Cal, Georgetown, Kansas, Oregon and UNLV.
I would like to thank all the schools that have taken time to recruit me but I will officially cut my list to 8 pic.twitter.com/MNMeuJW4kN
— TroyBrownJr (@Troy_Brown33) July 28, 2016
News and Notes
- One of the state's top events in the fall, Coach Vic's Weekly Showcase kicks off in Columbus on Sunday, Aug. 7 at Reynoldsburg High School. Featuring 45 of the top players in the state each Sunday for several weeks, Wesson will compete in the opening week, joined by targets Jerome Hunter and Jordan Mitchell, among other Division I and II prospects. Free of charge for the players to participate, the event is looking to raise money for this year's sessions to keep the event free for the public. You can donate here.
- 2019 Ohio State target Matthew Hurt's stock has been exploding as of late, as the 6-foot-9 forward picked up new offers from Louisville and North Carolina this week. A long forward with every tool imaginable for a player of his size, Hurt is as good of a prospect to come from Minnesota in recent years, which is saying a lot since the state has produced the likes of Tyus Jones, Gary Trent Jr. and Reid Travis since 2014.
- The previously mentioned Hunter picked up his first Big Ten offer from Penn State on Wednesday night, kicking off a recruiting frenzy that was triggered by Hunter's strong AAU performance this spring and summer. Though Ohio State has been in on Hunter for a year and a half now, the Buckeyes have yet to extend an offer. But with programs like West Virginia, Xavier and Florida showing more and more interest, it would not be a shock to see the 6-foot-7 Pickerington North product eventually land an offer from Thad Matta.
