Jackson Commits to Michigan

Zeb Jackson 6'3" PG Maumee HS 2020

As our followers well know, the Buckeye Prep Report takes great pride in the success of our elite showcase alumni, and we continue to track their progress well after they have moved on to high school, college and the pros.  One of our most consistent and long-term supporters, who started attending our elite showcases when he was in the 3^rd or 4^th grade, is recent Michigan commit Zeb Jackson (6’3”/PG/Maumee HS/2020).  Jackson, much like current Michigan standout Xavier Simpson, attended every session of our elite showcase from the 3^rd grade through high school, and was a consistent standout almost from day one.  

According to media reports, Jackson committed to the University of Michigan last week.  Although Jackson held offers from several high major programs, including Ohio State, Jackson, a Toledo, Ohio resident chose the Wolverines.  Not only is Jackson projected to play early at Michigan, some people close to the dynamic guard beleive he's a future pro! Congrats to Jackson and his family for reaching such a major goal!

Pair of Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Alums Commit to HM Programs

Wendell Moore Jr. & Scottie Lewis

As most people know by now, the alumni list for the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is long and elite.  In fact, we have a number of pros, high major, mid-major and commitments from numerous smaller programs among our alumni.  In terms of the class of 2019 (currently high school seniors), 2 of the top players in the country have recently made their college decisions.  

North Carolina’s Wendell Moore Jr, and New Jersey’s Scottie Lewis have committed to Duke and Florida, respectively.  Both players were all-stars at our 2013 fall elite showcase, have continued to develop, and have gone on to attract interested from many of the top college programs in the country.  We always keep track of our alumni, and we are thrilled to see both players reach their goals. Congratulations Wendell and Scottie; we’re proud of you!

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Alumni List

Easter Tops National 2025 Rankings

Jerry Easter, Jr. 5'10" PG 2025 Toledo

Recently, the Naismith National Youth Report undated their class of 2025 individual player rankings to include 3 Ohio players.  Number 1 on their list was Jerry Easter, Jr. (5’10”/PG/2025/Toledo), who has garnered national attention for several years now. Of course, we are well aware of Easter’s talent, as he has participated in our Buckeye Prep events for a number of years and has excelled each time we’ve seen him play.  Moreover, last travel season Easter led a very talented 2024 Super Friends squad that notched some big-time wins.  Next season, Easter will split time between a 2024 and 2025 Super Friends team.  We can’t wait to see Easter and his Super Friends team at the March 21^st-31^st Buckeye Prep Invitational!

Most recently, Easter participated in our elite showcase where he demonstrated an advanced skill set.  Specifically, Easter displayed a tight handle, an ability to score at all 3 levels, while also creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.  Additionally, Easter is also crafty, is great in transition, can create his own shot, and his court vision, IQ and passing skills are impressive.  In addition to being a scoring machine, which includes a consistent 3-point shot both off the bounce and in catch and shoot situations, Easter is a willing defender as well.  When he’s not getting it done on the hardwood, Easter is lighting up the gridiron as well, where he dominates on both sides of the ball.

Also ranked were Cincinnati’s Jaiden Arnold (5^th) and Paul Rusinko (12^th). Although we’ve seen Arnold play on the circuit and can confirm his talent, we have not yet been able to evaluate Rusinko. What we do know, however, is that Arness Lawson (5’0”/CG/2025/Columbus) has established himself as one of the top kids in Ohio, and is more than worthy of national recognition, in our opinion!  In any case, shout out to the 4 Ohio kids who made the list.  As an advocate for Ohio and Midwest basketball, we will continue to serve as a platform for exposure.

Jerry Easter, Jr. Highlight Video

Buckeye Prep Report Updates Player Rankings

LA Hayes, Mason Shrout, Mari Bickley, Gwen Jenkins, Jerry Easter Jr. & Brayden Fogle

In the wake of our 2018 Buckeye Prep Invitational and Buckeye Prep Elite Showcases, we have recently completed updates to our individual player rankings.  Specifically, names of the players who made our “Star Watch” list during our April tournament and/or made the all-star games at the elite showcases have been added to our lists.  

As always, we do our best to identify the top players in the state, and although we attempt to find players at any event we attend/scout, we tend to identify the most players from our own events.  If we have any inaccurate information in our lists, please send the correct information to Buckeyeprep@yahoo.com. Congratulations to all of the players who made our lists.

Boys                

2023 List

2024 List

2025 List

2026 List

Girls

2023 List

2024 List

More Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Tweets-HS Division (@Buckeyeprep)

 

Tristen Stipe, Myles Garrett, Justin Becker, Sean Ealy, Andru Markum, & Corey Hudson

-D.J. Telford II (6'0"'PF/2022/Louisville, KY) got busy at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase 2 weeks ago! Tilford was scrappy and played off the ball well.  In addition, he played his way into the high school division all-star game. Very talented!

-Isaiah Ingram (5'5"/PG/2022/Huber Heights) demonstrated a great motor and attitude, as evidenced as his team's selection as "Mr. Hustle " and "Best Attitude." That's not all, Ingram also played well enough to make the high school division's all-star game.

-A.J. Clayton (6'7"/PF/2022/Roseville, OH) had a productive weekend @ the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase that included a Top 40 All-Star Game MVP! Clayton is a skilled big w/ a nice touch around the rim. He was also selected as his team's "Top Prospect." College ball is n his future!

-Sean Ealy (5'11"/SG/2020/Cincinnati) had a big weekend at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase! Not only was he described as an "...all out scorer," he was very sound defensively as well.  For his efforts, Eally made the all-star game  & was selected as an MVP!

-Andru Markham (6'2"/WF/2022/Louisville, KY) logged in not only an all-star caliber performance; he took home MVP honors as well at the recent Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase! Markham was also selected as "Most Skilled" & "Top Prospect" on his team! Should play college ball!

-Corey Hudson (5'11"/PG/2022/Pickerington) has always been a great playmaker, however, his coach @ the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase described him as the "Best Shooter."   Hudson also punched his ticket to the all-star game. Should play early for his HS team!

-Hakeem Griggs was impressive at the recent Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase!  He also ran the tame in terms of team awards including, "Best Defender, Most Skilled," and "Top Prospect." He was also an all-star!

-Darrell Scroggins (6'0"PG/202) was impressive at the recent Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase. Scroggins has a high motor, is versatile and also made the all-star game.

-Tristin Stipe (6'6"/C/2022/Avon, OH) was one of the biggest kids at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.  Stipe is big and physical and has a nice touch around the rim. Stipe made the all-star game and should play post high school basketball!

-Justin Becker (6'5"/PF/2022/Germantown, KY) balled out @ the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase & rode his size & skill set in the post to an all-star game selection. Becker is skilled both inside and outside & he has a high basketball IQ. Was selected as "Most Skilled & "Top Prospect!"

-Myles Garrett (6'2"/SG/2021/Reynoldsburg) demonstrated willingness to sit down & defend @ the recent Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase.  In fact, he was selected as his team's "Best Defender." He was also described as having a great motor & ability to finish @ the rim. Also an all-star.