skip navigation

Marksman: Olentangy's Sean Marks does it all

By Adam Robbins, 07/17/18, 2:00PM EDT

Share

Olentangy senior guard Sean Marks led his position in scoring last year

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio -- Colleges, take notice.

While he may not be the biggest or most athletic guard, Sean Marks can score and score and score some more.

And he will help your team when you give him the chance.

The 5-foot-11 guard from Olentangy High School had a breakout junior season, one in which he averaged 22.5 points per game and had five 30-point scoring games and one 40-point scoring game.

Marks, known as a lights-out shooter, displayed many different skills last season that helped him enhance his offensive game. He continued to showcase his strengths and clearly worked on his weaknesses, and that all led to a big year.

“My real strengths are shooting and creating for my teammates by getting in the lane and kicking it out,” he said. “Also, handling the ball is another big strength of mine.”

While his offensive skills were definitely on display, he was quick to recognize why he truly was successful on the court.

“A lot of my success has to do with my teammates and coaches putting me in the right position to get the shots that I like,” he said. “My work ethic has also helped me with my skill set and put me where I am.”

That skillset should start to get Marks some more looks from colleges. As of right now his only scholarship offer is from Ohio Dominican, but Hillsdale, Malone, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Ohio Wesleyan and Division 1 IUPUI of the Horizon League have all expressed interest in the soon-to-be senior guard.

With Marks continuing to work on his weaknesses, his stock is only going to rise as he gets bigger and stronger.

“I really need to work on my athleticism and my strength and quickness,” he said. “If I want to play at the next level I have to have that kind of stuff, especially at my size. Defensively I feel like I can improve and I can work some new moves to create my own shot, but athleticism and strength are key.”

As he spends more time in the weight room training for basketball, his only sport, the strength and athleticism will begin to appear. But even with those assets not being at full capacity, he’s still shown success against the top competition in the state.

His AAU team, the Mid-Ohio Pumas, are currently playing in the Adidas Gauntlet, which features a variety of good teams and Division I players.

“It’s (Adidas Gauntlet) giving me a good idea of some of the people I might see at the next level speed-wise and skillset-wise,” he said. “The best player I’ve probably played this summer is Josh Corbin.” Gahanna’s Corbin, who was featured earlier this summer, is big-time Division I prospect who has caught the eye of many colleges with his play this summer.

With Marks continuing to improve throughout the summer, he should be on pace for an even bigger senior season.

Olentangy was a respectable 14-10 last season and lost in the sectional finals to a tough Chillicothe team, a game in which Marks scored 31 points. With him coming back at guard, they should be in line for a big season.

“I’m looking forward to really just everything about school ball next year,” he said. “It’s my final year and I have to make the most of it.”

A big senior season will bring more colleges around. Marks is too good of a shooter and too good of a kid to have many teams miss out on him any longer.

“I’m going to take whatever I can get in the end,” he said. “I’m looking for a school that also has the major that I’m wanting to go into which is physical therapy. That’s the main thing I’m looking for beyond basketball because I’m not going to play forever obviously.”

Nobody will play forever (except maybe LeBron), but Marks can definitely help athletes extend their careers once he decides to hang up his sneakers.

But that’s all years away, and right now he’s just trying to enjoy the experience of being recruited to play college basketball.

“The recruiting process is a big learning experience,” he said. “My mom played college tennis so she kind of knows what it’s like, but I don’t have siblings that are being recruited so I’m just learning about it as I go. It’s also cool to feel wanted and it’s just been really fun.”

Colleges, take notice.

Recent News

Subscribe to 270 Hoops Mailing List!

Email Address:
Favorite High School:
First Name:
Last Name:
Subscribe