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Hidden Gems Fall Showcase: Top Performers

By Zach Fleer, 09/22/18, 5:45PM EDT

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Northland senior guard N'Keeley Elmore was one of the day's top performers

WORTHINGTON, Ohio -- Returning for yet another year, the Hidden Gems Fall Showcase was as good as advertised on Saturday. With plenty of talent across each grade level, let's take a look at the top performers from Saturday. 



Fred Wilkes

Fred Wilkes (5'11 PG / Upper Arlington / 2020): Getting our first look at Wilkes on Saturday, the first cousin of New York Knicks guard Trey Burke did not disappoint. A heady guard with a tight handle, Wilkes got places off the dribble, scored it well at the rim and defended with a lot of energy. Wilkes comes into Upper Arlington from Eastmoor and should really help the Golden Bears this winter. 

Kyler Block (6'7 PF / Thomas Worthington / 2019): Block was impressive on Saturday, showing off his IQ and feel on the block and on the wing. The 6-foot-7 forward knocked down shots from the perimeter, scored it well on the block and rebounded at a good level. Rising Division III prospect on the block to keep an eye on.

Dior Conners (6'0 PG / Pickerington North / 2022): Special talent with an elite first step. Gets to the rim in a hurry and will finish when he gets there. Conners is a skilled passer on the move and has a nice feel.  Very good prospect who has a chance to be special. Received an offer from Stony Brook in July. 

Elijah Glenn (6'5 C / Harvest Prep / 2019): Nimble big man with good hands and feet. Big body with a wide frame. Knocked down shots and had a few nice finishes near the rim. Should really help Harvest Prep this season as his conditioning appears to have improved. 

Jahvon Garcia (6'3 PG / Pickerington Central / 2019): Garcia was the best player in the event, dominating on the offensive end. Very talented finisher who has improved as a jump shooter. Big guard who has a passion for defense. Should have a chance to see early minutes at Miami (OH) next year. 

Kieran Fleming (6'0 G / Eastmoor / 2020): Saturday was the first viewing we had of Fleming and we came away impressed. The Eastmoor guard knocked down shots and played with a great motor on both ends. As Eastmoor graduates virtually all of last year's production, look for Fleming to have a chance to break out this year. 

Morgan Safford (6'3 CG / Bishop Hartley / 2019): Uptempo basketball suits all of Safford's strengths and that was the case once again on Saturday. Punishing finisher who will get to the rim no matter who is in front of him. Didn't have his best shooting performance but still found a way to be productive. Low Division I/high Division II tweener who plays with a great motor. 

N'Keeley Elmore (5'9 PG / Northland / 2019): Elmore has been a standout through two weeks in the 270 Hoops Fall League and was very good on Saturday. The veteran guard knows how to run a team, can really make things happen for his teammates and has improved as an overall scorer. Elmore can finish over height in the paint, can get by opposing defenders and has really begun to shoot the ball at a higher level. Look for Elmore to have a big time senior season as he is the go-to guy for Northland. 

Eric Panning (6'6 PF / Westland / 2020): Panning is an intriguing prospect whose best basketball is still years away. With a long, wiry frame at 6-foot-6, Panning has some skills and appears to be playing more confidently, which is the key for him. Knocked down a few shots and showed a flashes as a scorer off the bounce. Could become really effective when he puts on weight in college. 

Jaidon Lipscomb (6'2 G / Pickerington Central / 2019): There's a strong chance that Lipscomb is the best catch and shoot player in the state and he surely looked the part on Saturday, as he probably hit 10 threes in our viewing of him. Confident and lights out shooter who doesn't miss many from three. Has an offer from Shawnee State and could see that list grow as there aren't many better pure shooters anywhere in the state. 

Sean Jones (5'9 PG / Gahanna / 2022): Playing in the junior and senior division, Jones was the best passer that we saw all day long. Has a special ability to pass on the move, fitting the ball into tight windows and seeing plays before they develop. Simply put, Jones is an elite talent and by far the best pure point guard in the 2022 class. Has elite-level body control and a toughness that will take him far. Commits to the defensive part of the game and is a great teammate. There's not enough good things that you can say about Jones as a player and teammate. 

Jayvon Maughmer (6'5 WG / Chillicothe / 2020): Maughmer is the best player directly south of Central Ohio, as he put on another great display on Saturday. While the big guard really thrives in more organized settings, he was still productive today, knocking dow shots, scoring through contact at the rim and really competing on the glass. Has great size and a great feel. Could play himself into a few Division I offers by this time next year. 

Kayin Derden (6'2 G / DeSales / 2019): The leading scorer in the 270 Hoops Fall League, Derden brought his high motor to Hidden Gems on Saturday. Downhill scorer who gets to the rim and finishes at a high level. High academic player who should have plenty of college options when it's all said and done. 

Collin McNatt (5'8 PG / Pickerington North / 2022): Quick guard who impressed us with his hustle. Played hard on both ends, finished at the rim with touch and showed a tight handle. Another quality guard in a Pickerington North program LOADED with young talent. 

AJ Glover (6'4 WG / Africentric / 2021): Big guard with some tools. Had a good motor on Saturday and got things done. Showed some flashes, especially with his scoring ability off the dribble. Needs to trust his shot more but has a high ceiling from what we've seen. 

Eli Burke (5'10 PG / Africentric / 2021): Burke impresses us more and more each time out. Confident guard with some shift to his game. Can finish it through contact and over height at the rim, but also improving as a perimeter shooter. Very confident guard with a GREAT attitude. Love his potential. 

Julian Binford (5'6 PG / Eastmoor / 2020): Crafty guard with great quickness. Very skilled passer who shot the ball better today than what we've seen in the past. Will be the go-to guy for Eastmoor this winter which could result in a breakout junior year. 

Brock Unger (6'5 PF / Berne Union / 2021): Saw Unger for the first time on Saturday and were impressed. Has great size and a strong frame at 6-foot-5. Fairly strong finisher who showed some promise as a stretch forward, knocking down a few triples. Confident shooter with nice form. Should have a chance to really help the Rockets this year in the MSL. 

Charles Perkins (6'4 PF / Westerville North / 2020): Big forward with a strong post presence. Can finish when he seals you on the block. Nice touch from eight feet and in. Very strong and competes. Should have a nice junior season as Westerville North has to replace a lot of production from last year's district runner up team.

Benjamin James (6'5 PF / Independence / 2019): Productive big man who played some of his most confident ball on Saturday. Defends multiple positions, can score it at the rim with athleticism and has improved as a perimeter shooter. Will be the go-to guy for Independence and could have a big senior season.  

Garrison Budd (5'10 PG / Bishop Ready / 2021): Budd was the best player on the floor in our viewing on Saturday.  After being on the receiving end of a devastating crossover that got the crowd hyped, Budd showed great mental toughness from that point forward. The sophomore guard showcased a tight handle and an ability to make plays for himself and others. Skilled finisher who can pass the ball. Older brother was a standout guard at St. Charles two years ago. We see Budd having a shot to lead the Ready backcourt this season, as he has a veteran presence at the point guard spot. 

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