Ohio State Basketball Recruiting: Top Targets in 2014 Early Signing Period

As the 2014 early signing period approaches in college basketball (Nov. 12-19, according to nationalletter.org), the Ohio State basketball program may not land another target in the 2015 recruiting class.

Considering where the Buckeyes stand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Ohio State sports the seventh-ranked Class of 2015, per 247Sports, thanks to an impressive collection of talented commits. Shooting guard Austin Grandstaff, center Daniel Giddens, point guard A.J. Harris and small forward Mickey Mitchell are all 4-star prospects, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and on their way to Columbus.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The future is clearly bright for the Buckeyes, especially after Thad Matta landed such a highly regarded 2014 class to pair with these incoming players. The 2015 class also gives Ohio State options everywhere on the court with a center, forward and two guards.

The Buckeyes are still interested in a handful of 2015 prospects with the early signing period around the corner, but they likely won’t be securing any additional commitments.

Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

Ivan Rabb is listed on 247Sports as a potential target. As an elite power forward who can finish in the lane with formidable footwork and soft touch, or from mid-range with a gradually expanding offensive arsenal, Rabb would give the Buckeyes the one position they don’t have in the 2015 class. He would also be a potential lockdown defender and rebounder. 

It needs to be noted, though, that Rabb has apparently “cooled” on the Buckeyes, per 247Sports’ recruiting page. As College Basketball Talk noted, Rabb’s list of schools is getting smaller, and it likely isn’t going to include Ohio State:

There are some other guys, such as small forward Jaylen Brown, power forward Cheick Diallo, power forward Thomas Bryant and point guard Isaiah Briscoe, who are listed under the "Interested" section on 247Sports that would give Matta some additional positional diversity. However, like Rabb, all four have also “cooled” on Ohio State.

There is a very realistic possibility that Matta is done with the 2015 class, which would not really be a problem at all. He already has a top-10 class and a plethora of young talent on campus in the form of D’Angelo Russell, Marc Loving, Jae’Sean Tate, Keita Bates-Diop, Trevor Thompson and Kam Williams. Throw the four 2015 pledges into that group, and the Buckeyes are set for the next couple of years.

That means Matta can turn his attention toward recruiting the 2016 class in the early signing period and laying the foundation for a future core, even if he doesn’t get any actual commits in November.

Braxton Blackwell and Kobi Simmons both went on unofficial visits to Ohio State and took in a football game in the fabled Horseshoe.

Simmons’ father, DeMond Stephens, discussed the visit, via Brian Snow of Scout.com:

"

We really liked the whole visit. Kobi and my wife liked it a lot, and the whole coaching staff was great. The coaches are very family oriented people and treated us first class. Also the facilities were great.

I really liked the specifics they were talking about how they want him to not just play right away, but make an impact right away. They said they need him to come in and make an impact immediately like a Michael Conley or someone like that. They made it clear that they don’t care who is a freshman or who is a senior, they want to let the best players play.

"

Simmons is a 5-star point guard, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, from Georgia who checks in at 6’5” and has drawn the interest of powerhouses like Kentucky and Kansas. His length, athleticism and explosiveness immediately jump out and help him attack the basket off the bounce like a Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook.

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Simmons is also capable of hitting from behind the three-point line and is more than comfortable setting up teammates with crisp passes. That length and quickness also help on the defensive side, which is critical if he wants to be a Buckeye.

As for Blackwell, he is a 4-star small forward, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, from Nashville who stands at 6’8” and has drawn interest from local Vanderbilt and Indiana, among others. His versatility is what immediately jumps out because he can drive the lane from the perimeter, shoot from the outside and find teammates with pinpoint passes.

Blackwell has the ball-handling skills of a point guard and enough height to get involved in the rebounding game.

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Between the 2014 recruiting class and the 2015 group, the foundation is set at Ohio State. It is certainly noteworthy that Matta and his staff are trying to parlay their recent momentum into a quick start for the 2016 class with visits from elite prospects Blackwell and Simmons. 

Landing either one would be a major coup for the program, so it is worth keeping an eye on their recruitment in what may otherwise be a quiet early signing period for the Buckeyes.

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