NCAA Considering Plan to Allow Coaches to Contact 8th Graders

Below is a link to a story on CBSsports.com that talks about potential NCAA rule changes that will once again allow college coaches to formally contact kids while they are in the 8th grade.  What's most important in the article is why the NCAA is looking to allow this early contact when they have legislated against the practice for years.

Because of the higher NCAA qualification standards, college coaches are "panicking" about their ability to find enough qualified students to fill their rosters.  By reaching out to players at an early age, college coaches hope to educate young prospects about the standards, and the need for them to take their education seriously. This is another warning to young players, parents and coaches that any desire to play D-I basketball must be matched by a desire for good grades.  Please help me take the message from this website to the homes and gyms across the state!

CBS Sports Story

CourtCred.com to Cover Elite Showcase

As has been announced, Courtcred.com will be covering the Fall Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase. In addition to creating some of the best highlight videos in the business, including player interviews and other special features, Court Cred will be streaming some of the Ohio North vs South  games and the Ohio vs Michigan challenge games live on their website. This will allow college coaches and other scouting services to order and view the games. The level of exposure Court Cred can provide is significant! Click on the above link and check out the Courtcred website and take a look at the quality of their work.

Recent Courtcred Videos

Central Ohio Open Gym Returns

Week #1 Group Picture

I stopped by Victor Dandrige's open gym for about an hour yesterday, and as usual, there was a gym full of ballers working hard preparing for the upcoming school season. The weekly event is still being held at the USA Sports Academy and will continue to host many of the top varsity level players in central Ohio and beyond. Although it was only the first week of the annual event, about 60 players were in the house.  What's nice about the event is the fact that the top high school guys get a chance to compete against college-bound and current college level players. On Sunday, kids like Stevie Taylor (OU), Devon Scott (Dayton) and Jalon Robinson (Dayton) gave the younger guys somebody to go at in an effort to hone their skill and make a little name for themselves.

Trey Miller, Jalen Tucker, Shamar Waugh, Seth Towns & Wendall Davis

Yesterday, the best team in the gym went 5-0, and was made up of Shamar Waugh (Northland), Trey Miller (New Albany), Wendell Davis (Reynoldsburgh), Jalen Tucker (Northland) and Seth Towns (Northland). While some teams relaxed on defense, was content on going 1 on 5 with limited passing, this team used fundamentals, team work and execution to get the job down. Of course Davis almost always shines at events like this and Seth Towns has emerged as one of the top freshmen in his class, but guys like Shamar Waugh ran the point efficiently and Trey Miller shot the cover off the ball both off the bounce and catch and shoot, mostly off of curl cuts and down screens.  Some of the other kids who caught my eye included Nate Axalrod (soph-Dublin Coffman), Randall Clarkson Jr. (Sr.-Brookhaven) and Elijah Macon (Prep School). Oh yea, Ty Kish was in the house....so, we may be treated to a highlight tape!!

Buckeye Prep Talks NE Ohio Bball on Radio Show

For our northeast Ohio basketball fans, tomorrow at 4:30 PM, I (Rob Taylor) will be the guest on the Big Time Sports Show broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 1350 am in the Akron/Canton area.  During the show, I will be discussing the young up and coming players in northeast Ohio.  In addition, I will be talking about the upcoming Buckeye Prep Elite showcase.  If you have a chance, please tune into the show and hear my ideas about which NE Ohio kids have a chance at future stardom. 

2012 Buckeye Prep All-State Team (2017)

Below is a link to my 2012 Buckeye Prep All-State teams for the class of 2017. The first list generated a little debate, and I assume this list will do the same. Please feel free to add your comments below.

2012 Buckeye Prep All-State Team (2017)

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Update

Below is an email I sent out this morning.  Please read and respond accordingly.

Parents & Coaches,

Below is a link to my preliminary commitment list and showcase updates.  As it reflects, there are only 3 more spots available until the event is sold out. If every person on the list was paid in full, there would only be those few spots available. However, everybody has not paid or sent in their registration forms. At this point, I'm preparing to put together the final showcase rosters and order jerseys. I can not place a player on a roster or order a jersey for any player who has not paid the registration fee and sent in the forms, nor can I hold a spot if the fees have not been paid.  Although a players name may appear on the initial commitment list, that does not hold a spot, and they will not be placed on an official roster without payment and the registration forms. Also, at this point, after I have received 380 paid registrations and the rosters are set, I can't add any additional players. Also, because of no shows the day of the event, I can't turn down anybody who is prepared to pay the fee now.  Therefore, it is first come first served for the remaining spots. Since the deadline has passed, If I get a call today and the parent can pay the registration fee using Pay Pal, I will bump someone and give them a spot. Also, there will be no "walk up" additions, as the event will be sold out. In addition, several parents have paid the registration fee using the Pay Pal Link in the upper right hand corner of the website, but they have not yet sent in the registration forms.  Consequently, their kid's name has not been added to the official list.  If you have paid the fee that way, I need to match the payment with your child's name, so I need the completed registration forms ASAP! Some of you are going to be upset with me when their son is not listed on a roster, but in order to keep things organized, everything needs to be rapped up prior to the event.

Enough about the administrative matters; the showcase is really shaping up to be special! New features are being added weekly to help make this a fantastic event. Please continue to visit the website for showcase updates, as I will be updating the above link as things occur. I hope to have the rosters and schedule posted 2 weeks prior to the events, but that will be dictated by the parent's prompt response to my requests. The Ohio North vs South Rosters are just about completed, and I will be posting them within the next 2 weeks.  If your child is not yet committed to the event, or the registration forms and fees are not paid soon, they can not participate in the "Challenge" games. As always, please help pass the word to those parents and players who might not have internet access so everybody has the opportunity to participate. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me.  Thanks for your time!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GrMwKL0swhgi2RIieyANc1lplPND-tXr2O2Xngo6J7s/edit

Rob Taylor

Editor

Buckeye Prep Report

614-203-2929