Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Buckeye Prep 6th Grade/2020 Watch List Released


Shemar Morrow-Aurora
We recently released our list of the top thirty 7th graders in Ohio, and from the amount of chatter in the comment section (22 posts and counting), there is much debate regarding several players on that list. With the release of our 6th grade/2020 “Watch List,” the debate is sure to continue. Our list currently contains the names of 46 players who have already established themselves worthy of statewide recognition. Clearly, our Watch List is incomplete and does not nearly identify all of the top guys in the class.  However, the list represents a good starting point, and will aide us in better defining the elite talent in the class going forward.

Although there is much debate about several of the top players in 2019, there is no such debate about the #1 player in Ohio in 2020; that honors goes to Shemar Morrow, a 6’0 WF from Aurora. Morrow is not only considered to be the top prospect in Ohio, he is the consensus #1 player nationally as well. At this point in his young career, Morrow is physically dominate and has no equal. Bigger, stronger and more athletic than his peers, Morrow scores at will in the paint. When he does occasionally miss, he often grabs his own rebound and puts the rock back for the score. His play in the Best of Midwest all-star game at last September’s Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase left no doubt to onlookers that Morrow is the real deal!

Zeb Jackson-Toledo
Currently, there is a huge gap between Morrow and the other elite players in the class; however, there are still some quality players on the radar presently. Matt Allocco (5'3 PG Upper Arlington) has made the case as the top PG in the class. He may be diminutive, but nobody is tougher under pressure than Allocco! This kid has more than held his own against 2018’s best floor generals, and his skill set, IQ and motor are superior to any floor general in the class. Other elite 2020 kids include: Jack Pugh (5’10 PF Plain City); Grant Huffman (5’5 SG Aurora); Zeb Jackson (4’11 SG Toledo) and a handful of others.

Between now and next fall, we will be watching this class very carefully in order to add names to our list and to  better define the truly elite among them. As I have mentioned earlier, there are a number of other talented players who deserve to be featured on our list, but until we see them on multiple occasions, we can’t evaluate them. If your son/player is not fortunate enough to play on an elite team that plays in the more competitive tournaments, it will be more difficult for them to get the exposure they need. In those cases, camps and showcases are an alternative.

Now of course we realize that not everybody is interested in early exposure for their child/player, and that’s ok, but understand that if exposure matters, parents have to put their child in the right position. Finally, the list below is just “one person’s opinion,” and placement on the same does not guarantee future success; we simply want to recognize the hard work of those players who have landed on our radar so far.  Let the debate continue!

6th Grade/2020 Player Watch List

16 comments:

  1. New Birth Warriors are gonna be nice I've heard about them down here in Columbus Rob they have 4 of your top kids listed in Allacco, the O'Neal kid, Von Cam Davis, and Josiah Fulcher along with Buckeye Prep standout 5th grader Daaron Brown. I wonder when they start their season play?

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  2. More top young talent in Ohio with this class Rob!

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  3. This list is obviously generated by participation in showcases. There are many talented players in the class of 2020 that don't participate in these events. Not to mention some of the kids on the list are bench players at best on any decent team. The inaccurate stats (height, name and school) clearly shows that you have not seen them play. In some instances the height is off by 3-4 inches. If you want anyone to take this serious vet the players that you are listing.

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  4. You are totally incorrect. Only about a 1/3 of the kids listed attended showcases, including ours. The list was compiled based on my personal observations at a number of events as well as feedback from coaches of elite teams from around the state. If a kid is not listed it’s probably because nobody has seen them play or nobody is talking about them. If kids are not attending showcases or playing for teams that attend the more competitive events, then they can't complain about being omitted from lists like these. In terms of a 6th grade watch list, we feel real good about the kids that are listed. As kids get seen and evaluated they will be listed. I think I’ve said that on a number of occasions. This is a starting point! There are always detractors who look for reasons to discredit rankings or watch lists, especially if their child/player is not listed. It's a way of rationalizing/explaining why their kid/player is not getting recognized. If you can discredit the list/rankings, then you can feel better about your son/player missing the cut. In terms of the heights, at this age, kids grow quickly, so any list will be a bit inaccurate after a few months. With that said, this is a 6th grade watch list; the heights are less important than the recognition these kids deserve for their talent. The list does not need to be perfect or “vetted.” I think it’s enough to spotlight the kids who are excelling at this early age. There is a lot of jealousy and envy in this game, and people hate to see anything positive for kids if they are on the outside looking in. If you care about your son/player getting recognition, stop hating on other kids and get yours in the gym, and/or put them on a quality team that plays in events where they can get recognition. I'm so tired of the down low haters who turn to message boards to complain. Been doing this for many years, so I already know how people are going to respond! The people who know what’s happening know how the system works. This will be the last response to the haters, and the last comment that will be allowed on this subject. We do what do, and if you don’t like it, find another forum. This post is from Rob Taylor!!

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    1. Hey rob von cam is doing really really good down there you should start looking at him he going to be very good

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  5. This is coach Jackson if you think your son has what it takes to compete at the highest level contact your local NYBL team 2019,2020,2021 don't get left out.

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    1. Coach Jackson, what if your area don't have a local NYBL team, I have a 2020 player that I am seeking a NYBL team for. Any recommendations for the Dayton Arear?

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    2. Tthis is coach Jackson right now it looks like King James is the only 2020 Ohio team commited to the NYBL. I know coach Malcom he is in it for the right reason, and a standup guy I suggest you contact him about your son. That team is going to be stacked, but if your son can go I know Malcolm will give him a shot.

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  6. coach Jackson, could we chat offline so you can put me in touch with him if you don't mind? Let me know so I can forward you my contact info

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    1. No problem anything I can do to help. You can reach me at 215-526-9924 coach Jackson.

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  7. I bet a good number of the kids on the 6th grade watch list will end up on top prospect lists later on when they're in high school...
    I also bet a few won't but it's good to see someone's taking notice.

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  8. Morrow,Allocco,and Yates are well above anybody on this list man quit it place the real rankings bottom line this stuff is starting to be a joke man.

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  9. Any NYBL teams in Oregon or Washington?

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