COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At 270 Hoops, we like to say you never graduate.  Central Ohio has fantastic talent and usually sends a handful of players to the next level each season.   There are over two dozen active players from Central Ohio on Division I rosters and many of them have made a major contribution so far this season.  

Editor’s Note: These stats are reflective of games played up until January 18
 

Taevion Kinsey (6'5 WG / Marshall  / Junior / Eastmoor Academy ‘18)

No player from Central Ohio is having the impact like Taevion Kinsey is at Marshall.  The junior from Eastmoor Academy leads C-USA in scoring and is a legitimate candidate for conference MVP.  Always an exceptional athlete that could win virtually any dunk contest, Kinsey has become a lethal shooter from deep, shooting over 47% from long range.  Kinsey’s shooting development to now go along with his elite athleticism is why we won’t be surprised if Kinsey will be the next Central Ohio star to make the NBA, as some mock drafts have started to predict. Kinsey would join Trey Burke (Northland ‘11), Caris LeVert (Pickerington Central ‘12) and Jae’Sean Tate (Pickerington Central ‘14) as Central Ohioians in the league.

Jalen Tate (6’6 G / Arkansas  / Grad Senior / Pickerington Central ‘16)

After having a successful career at Northern Kentucky, the younger Tate brother used his final year of eligibility and transferred to Arkansas where he’s been a huge asset for the Razorbacks.  As starting point guard, Tate leads his team in assists (4.4) while also averaging over 10 points per game.  

Nick Muszynski (6’11 C / Belmont  / Junior (RS) / St. Charles ‘17)

Coming off a sophomore season in which he made All-OVC first team, Muszynski has continued his all-conference play for a Belmont team that is one of the country’s best mid-majors.  The former St. Charles' big man leads the Bruins in scoring (16.1), blocks (1.4) and second in rebounds (5.6).   Belmont is 14-1 on the season and is looking to again make the NCAA tournament after Muszynski got his taste of the Big Dance in 2019. 

Ibi Watson (6’5 G / Dayton  / Senior (RS) / Pickerington Central ‘16)

After spending his first two seasons at Michigan, Watson transferred to Dayton and now finds himself in the starting lineup for the Flyers.  While Dayton as a team is not having the success of their incredible 2019-20 run, Watson individually has been one of their top contributors.  The former Pickerington Central Tiger is second on his team in scoring (15.9) and is shooting the ball well, including over 43% from deep and 84% at the foul line. 

Dane Goodwin (6’6 WG / Notre Dame / Junior / Upper Arlington ‘18)

The former Ohio State commit has had his best season yet in his third year at Notre Dame.  Now in a starting role, Goodwin is averaging over 13 points a game and is second in team minutes (34.9). While the Fighting Irish are struggling in ACC play, Goodwin has played some of his best games against notable competition, including Ohio State (16 points) and Duke (25).  Goodwin is even gaining some national attention, as a recent Barstool Sports blog listed him “The Next Great College Basketball Villain.”

Adrian Nelson - Northern Kentucky / Junior / Pickerington Central ‘18

Nelson is one of the best rebounders in the nation, averaging over 10 boards a game. The junior has started every game for the Norse and averages 7.4 points per game.

Elijah McNamara - Miami (OH) / Junior / Pickerington North ‘18

Appearing in most contests for the Redhawks this season, McNamara is averaging 4 points on an average of 11 minutes per game. 

JT Shumate - Toledo / Junior / Newark ‘18

After the NCAA finally cleared his transfer waiver, Shumate made the jump from Division II Walsh and has already been a big impact for a Toledo team that’s leading the MAC.  Shumate quickly inserted himself into the starting lineup and averages 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Seth Towns - Ohio State / Grad Senior / Northland ‘16

One of the best stories for Central Ohio basketball has been the return of Seth Towns.  After missing the last two seasons due to injury, Towns has appeared in eight games and has been a huge boost for the top-15 ranked Buckeyes.  While still getting adjusted back to game speed, Towns offensive talent has been on display, shooting 50% from the field and scoring over 5 points per game.

Ben Roderick - Ohio / Sophomore / Olentangy Liberty ‘19

A regular in Ohio’s starting rotation, Roderick is showing familiar shooting success that we saw in his four years at Olentangy Liberty.  Roderick is averaging 12.1 points per game on 50.5% shooting from the field, including over 47% from three. 

Braden Norris - Loyola (Chicago) / Sophomore (RS) / Hilliard Bradley ‘18

After sitting out last season from his Oakland transfer, Norris is a regular starter for a Ramblers team that could win the Missouri Valley.  Norris is averaging 7.1 points per game and has made 24 three-pointers on the season.

Jeremiah Francis - New Mexico / Sophomore / Pickerington Central ‘19

Francis received immediate eligibility after his transfer from North Carolina.  Now with the Lobos, Francis is playing over 20 minutes per game, while averaging 4.6 points and over 2 assists.

Jerome Hunter - Indiana / Sophomore (RS) / Pickerington North ‘18

While not in the starting rotation, Hunter has appeared in every game, averaging 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest.

Josh Corbin - Winthrop / Sophomore / Gahanna Lincoln ‘19

Still undefeated, Winthrop is one of the country’s best mid-major programs.  Corbin averages 10 minutes, with an average of 5.9 points per game. Out of Corbin’s 26 made field goals this year, 21 have been from three.

Tre Williams - Indiana State / Sophomore / Reynoldsburg ‘18

Starting every game, Williams leads the Sycamores in rebounds (6.4) and total blocks (21) and averages over 8 points per game. 

Ben Wight - William & Mary / Freshman (RS) / Thomas Worthington ‘19

After spending last season with a redshirt, the development helped. Wight has started six games for the Tribe and averages 4.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Morgan Safford - Wofford / Freshman (RS) / Bishop Hartley ‘19

A redshirt season also proved to be worth the wait for Safford, as he has started every game for the Terriers.  Safford is averaging 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Javohn Garcia - UMass / Freshman / Pickerington Central ‘19

Garcia spent a post grad year at Brewster Academy (New Hampshire) and has been an instant impact his freshman season for the Minutemen. Garcia sees over 25 minutes per game and has averaged 11 points per outing.

Keaton Turner - Wofford / Freshman / Dublin Coffman ‘20

Turner has appeared in six games for the Terriers, which include a made three-pointer versus Texas A&M.  Turner’s in game minutes continue to grow as the season evolves.

VonCameron Davis - Kent State / Freshman / Walnut Ridge ‘20

The reigning Mr. Ohio has appeared in four games and scored eight total points, including a made three-pointer versus Western Michigan.

William Mfum - South Dakota State / Freshman (RS) / Northland ‘19

After spending his final high school season at Spring Creek Academy (Texas), Mfum enrolled early at South Dakota State last year and has now seen minutes this season. Mfum has appeared in four games and scored six total points. 

Jay Rodgers - New Orleans / Freshman / Pickerington Central ‘19

Rodgers spent a post grad year at Winchendon (Massachusetts).  He has appeared in seven games for the Privateers. 

Sam Towns - Ohio / Freshman / Pickerington Central ‘19

Towns also spent a post grad year at Winchendon.  For the Bobcats, he’s appeared in 10 games, along with two starts.  Towns averages just under 10 minutes a game and scores an average of two points per outing. 

Quentin Jones - North Carolina A&T / Junior / Northland ‘17

Jones spent two seasons at Missouri State University-West Plains before jumping to Division I and signing with the Aggies. With five starts, Jones averages 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. 

Dibaji Walker - UMass / Junior / Independence ‘17

Walker initially spent a post grad year at Woodstock Academy then two seasons at Cleveland State.  Now with the Minutemen, Walker has started the last three games and averages 2.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. 

Caden Sanchez - High Point / Junior (RS) / DeSales ‘17

Sanchez has appeared in every game, including four starts.  The power forward is third on his team in rebounds (4.1) and averages 4.4 points per game.

Dominiq Penn -  Washington / Freshman / Dublin Coffman '20

Recently committing to Washington, Penn is already enrolled on campus in Seattle and dressed for the first time in a Jan. 20 win over Colorado. It's unclear if Penn will get much playing time this season, but very cool to see the former Coffman alum playing at the Division I level.