Under Armour Sponsors New Middle School League

Three years after entering youth basketball in a big way with the UA Next Combine Series, Under Armour appears to be doubling down with youth basketball with the UA Future League, their new platform designed to enhance the shoe company’s footprint and exposure to youth basketball. Beginning in April, nine regional sessions from the North East to Northern California are set to tip off in the inaugural season of the Future League.  

Each of 2 regular season sessions guarantees 4 games at a cost of about $395 per team, depending on the number program teams that enter.  The 3^rdsession is a championship session which will be held regionally. Under Armour hopes to attract the best sixteen, 4^th-8^th grade teams in each region, and are feverishly conducting research and gathering feedback on the top teams.  In terms of the Midwest Region, sessions are scheduled for Lynwood, IL on May 3^rd-5^th; Westfield, IN. June 7^th-9^th: with the championship session scheduled for June 28^th-30^th in Kansas City, Mo. 

Although there are no guarantees that participation in the new middle school league will one day lead to a coveted spot on Under Armour’s UAA Circuit, the exposure generated by the league could pave the way for future selection. League organizers hope that an exclusive, competitive, professionally run, and regional focused league will separate itself from other middle school leagues such as NYBL, Nike’s MADE League, and the Midwest Circuit.  It’s unclear what programs will ultimately enter the first-year league, but according to Zach Park, league director, they have filled almost half of the 16 spots in each region.  We will certainly try and keep an eye on this ambitious effort.

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Accepting Registrations

Now that 2019 is underway, the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is starting to accept registrations.  This year’s event is scheduled for March 9^th (1-day) at Otterbein University near Columbus, Ohio.  Both boys (3^rd-12^th) and girls (5^th-9^th) are welcome.  At a cost of $150.00, the event will consist of 4 league games (boys & girls) and a possible all-star game for standout players.  Awards will be presented to all all-star game participants and MVPs. Also, every player will receive a reversible jersey they can keep.  As always, this event will attract the top boys and girls from not only Ohio, but the Midwest and nationally. Moreover, the level of competition and exposure will be unmatched!

The event will also be hosting Ohio North vs South All-Star Games for 3^rdand 4^thgrade boys and 6^th-8^thgrade girls.  Rosters are currently being developed and invitations will be based on a player’s statewide ranking and success at prior Buckeye Prep and/or other elite events. Although participation in the all-star games is free, every player must register, pay and participate in the elite showcase portion of the event. Tentative roster s will be posted as soon as we have completed them.  Below are links to the event Information Page and registration.  For additional information about the event, please email us at Buckeyeprep@yahoo.com or call at 614-502-9359.

Information Page

Registration Link

2018 Showcase MVPs

2018 Showcase Rankings

2018 Showcase All-Star Teams

Prep Elite Showcase to Spotlight 2027’s Elite

When the spring Edition of the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase tips off on March 9^that Otterbein University, Ohio’s most elite 4^th graders will command the big stage.  For the first time ever, the class of 2027 will have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Ohio North vs South All-Star Games.  Also, for the first time ever, and because the class is so loaded with elite talent, and many of the top players have already expressed a significant interest in the game, a 3^rd team will be added to the mix. For this event, the top players from northern, central and southern Ohio will compete to determine not only the best players in the state, but also what region of the state has the best 4^th grade players.

Below is a tentative list of players who have been invited to participate in the Saturday morning North vs South All-Star games. This list was compiled based on feedback we received from the coaches of the top travel teams in the state and other individuals who are familiar with the top players in this class.  Although 39 player names appear on the initial rosters, only the first 30 players to register  (10 players per team) will get to participate in the games.  Below is a registration link for the event, as well as a link to the event’s Information Page. 

For those 4^th grade players who did not make our initial list, there is still the opportunity to participate in the elite showcase and play your way to the final all-star games at the end of the event. Also, a Although the spring showcase has primarily been used to highlight the girls slate of Ohio North vs South games, we added 4^thgrade boys division this year so that we could get an early look at this class.  There will also be North/South games for 6^th-8^thgrade girls as well, as we will be building rosters over the next several weeks. 

This event will not only provide the best players to emerge from the pack and to receive early exposure, it will provide us with the opportunity to see the best players in the class and to begin posting features and tracking their progress.  As one final note, if someone from Michigan, Indiana or Kentucky is interested in putting together an all-star team for their respective state, lets us know and we will add it to the slate of 2027 all-star games! Moreover, we would also add a 3rd grade boys game if we can identify and make contact with the coaches parents of the top 3rd graders in the state. So, Coaches/parents, let make it happen! Finally, for more information about this great opportunity, you can contact us at either buckeyeprep@yahoo.com or 614-502-9359. 

North vs South All-Star Game Rosters (Tentative)

North All-Stars	Central All-Stars	South All-Stars
Keeran Stokes	Amir Clark	Joshua Tyson
Tyson Clay	Michael Daniels	Leshawn Hill
Lincoln Lee	Landon Evans	Chris Washington
Jaylen Billingsley	Tony Cornette	Ricky Isham
Shawn Foster	Dion Johnson	Darius Dennis
Jaylen Gunther	Tasii Davis	Jayshan Coffey
Brody Durham	Luca Filia	Woo Crane
Chad Rusinko	Albert Moore	DeShan Harris
Isaiah Mack	Rico Scott	Micaiah Ehirim
Mali Pearson	Bryce Wells	Kameron Mercer
Jeremiah Chapman	Jett Jerwers	Bryson Payne
David Seibert	Casey Brickner	Braylen Settlemeyer
Hasani Lamb	Caden Ivery	Braden Mack

Registration Link

Information Page

2027 Player Watch List

2026 Probound Wins Indiana Title

5th Grade Pro Bound Silverbacks-Gym Rats Bullseye Tournament Champions

Coach Mike Daniels’ 5^th grade Probound Silverback team finished 2-2 in route to the Sliver Division Championship of the Gym Rats’ Bullseye Tournament in Westfield, Indiana over the weekend.  After losses to the North Coast Bluechips (54-30) and R4L Pioneers (52-48) in pool play, Probound finished the event with wins over C2K 2026 (56-54) and 365 (56-50) to claim the title. 

For the record, the North Coast Bluechips went on to win the Gold Division Championship with victories over Carlos Davis' R4L Pioneers (46-23), Pro Bound Silverbacks (54-30), St. Louis Knights (56-47), Much Greater Elite (48-31) and CU (52-33).  In the 6^thgrade division, Superfriends finished 5-0 and claimed the Gold Division title.  Congratulations to Coach Daniels, his players and parents on the win!

Merry Christmas

On behalf of the staff and management, the Buckeye Prep Report family would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas! Take this opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family.

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase Alums Excel in Middle School Ball

Kamryn Grant & Berry Wallace

From our experience, players who excel at our elite showcases go on to star for their respective middle school teams.  Case in point, according to Team Knockdown Coach Ron Bess, 2 of his best players, Kamryn Grant and Berry Wallace, both of whom made the finial all-star game and were selected for Top 5 Awards at our March elite showcase have enjoyed tremendous success with their respective middle school teams so far this season.  

Specifically, just last week, Grant went off for an eye popping 39 points in a game as her undefeated Berwick Middle School squad got by South Middle School.  In that game, Grant knocked down 4 treys.  In another game a week later, Grant went for another 22 points and 12 rebounds.  Wallace also has her Pickerington Ridgeview Middle School team undefeated, and she recently logged in an impressive performance with a 25-point outburst. 

This upcoming travel season, both Grant and Wallace will return to their highly successful 2024 Team Knockdown team, who we had ranked #3 in the state in our final Buckeye Prep Power Rankings last season.  Also, look for both players to make the roster for our 2019 Ohio North vs South All-Star game on March 9^th!  As always, we are committed to following the success of our elite showcase alumni all the way through their basketball careers.

In addition, word has it that Jalen McElroy ( 5’8”/WF/2024/Canton) had a big time performance last night, as he led his Crenshaw Middle School team to a 56-30 win over North Canton Middle School with 41 points in only 18 minutes of play. According to his travel team coach, McElroy scored all of his points “…on drives to the bucket, in the midrange, and free throws. McElroy runs with Ohio Phenom Academy in the spring and summer.  Finally, we also heard that John Mobley Jr. went off for 40 plus points last week for his middle school team as well!  Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.