Buckeye Prep 2021 to Represent Columbus in NYBL

Patrick Daniels, Jayden Hawkins-White, Azzan Daniels, Malachi Branham & Will Miller

When the third season of the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL) tips off in Washington D.C. next week, Columbus, Ohio will be well represented by Coach Aaron Brown’s 6^th grade Buckeye Prep squad.  Brown’s team has seen steady improvement over the past 2 years as evidenced by their 7^th and 15^th place finishes at the D-II AAU Nationals.  In addition, this past weekend, Brown’s squad played up in the 7^th grade division of Ohio Youth Basketball’s Dot.com Classic and more than competed against older kids. In fact, Brown’s team won the 7^th grade Shootout Bracket.

Although Brown has been able to maintain a good core group of kids over the past 3-4 years, with the addition of more size in the post in the form of Malachi Branham (5’9 PF) and Elijah English (5’9 PF), Brown believes he has closed the talent gap on other 6^th grade teams in the city and around the state. As further proof of his team’s talent, in the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase last week, 5 of Brown’s players were selected to the prestigious all-star game, while Patrick Daniels’ game-high 14 points garnered him top 5 honors. Buckeye Prep’s core group includes Daaron Brown (5’2/P/SG), Azzan Daniels (5’2/PG), Patrick Daniels (5’7/WF) and Jayden White-Hawkins (5’5/SG). The rest of the roster includes Will Miller (5’9 C), Makhale Massie (5’9/WF), Damion Davis (5’2/PG), Mark Small (5’5/PF) and Jake McCon (5’1/G).

“This is by far my best team yet!!! I don't think anyone can argue we may be best team in our area,” said Brown. Other Ohio-based teams/programs headed to the NYBL this season include the Mid-Ohio Pumas, Ohio Basketball Club, SWO Elite, All-Ohio Red, King James, The Truth, Rail Cities Attack, EBO Hoops and the Dayton Wolves.