6’8 Ezra Ausar (Liberty Heights)
It usually doesn’t take very long for folks to identify what separates Ezra Ausar from other similar prospects. He might appear to be a long athlete with toughness and enticing physical tools (all of which are true), but he’s also more skilled than tends to meet the eye. At 6-foot-8, Ausar can comfortably play alongside a center or operate as the lone interior piece for small-ball lineups. He’s a strong finisher with solid vision, capable perimeter shooting, and the ability to attack opposing bigs off the bounce. Though his offensive game continues to grow, Ausar’s main appeal comes through his physically imposing presence as a defender and rebounder. His fluidity, instincts, and versatility allow him to toggle between multiple positions while forcing turnovers and altering a ton of shots. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up (especially given the current landscape), as some program will net a very useful player.
6’11 Mady Traore (Bull City Prep)
Probably one of the most unique players in the state, Mady Traore is another great representation of how difficult it is to get recruited right now. He’s an extremely long, wiry post prospect with elite size and undeniable upside on either side of the ball. While Traore is certainly not a finished product in terms of development, it’s easy to see the flashes of a modern center who can rebound, block shots, and stretch the floor. He’s also a solid finisher and utilizes his length very well on both ends of the floor. Traore moves very well for his size and runs the floor properly in transition. He’s generated a lot of buzz over the years, and should only continue to progress wherever he ends up.
6’5 Logan Blair (Harding University)
It’s beginning to feel like Logan Blair is among the top contenders for “most underrated player in the state”, simply because he’s better than folks seem to acknowledge. He claims no offers and doesn’t have appropriate buzz surrounding his name. It makes absolutely zero sense. Understandably, it is more difficult to get recruited out of high school than ever before, but Blair should easily hold a slew of Division II offers. He averaged a double-double as a sophomore and junior, and then took on more offensive responsibility to average 16.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG this season. He’s never shot below 54% from the floor or attempted more than ten three-pointers in a given year. Blair should not be punished for embracing his identity. He’s an extremely adaptable forward who excels as a rebounder and glue-guy on both ends of the floor. Blair is plainly deserving of more attention.
6’8 Jaxon Ellingsworth (West Carteret)
Anyone who has seen Jaxon Ellingsworth in the right context should already know about his incredible toolkit and overall amount of talent. He’s a very skilled, athletic post prospect with touch, toughness, and mobility. Ellingsworth finishes and passes very well from the block, but can also comfortably operate from the elbows, space the floor from distance, or attack opposing bigs off the bounce. He’s comfortable at protecting the rim or defending in space, showing the ability to contain opponents in both areas. Ellingsworth also rebounds well on either side of the ball. It’s unclear if he even grasps the overall depth of his upside, but Ellingsworth has the ability to be a noteworthy player.
7’0 Wesley Johnson (Leesville Road)
While everyone listed represents the bizarre nature of our current recruiting scene, Wesley Johnson is as perplexing as anyone. Very rarely do mobile seven-footers fall through the cracks, but that seems to be the case with Johnson. Holding a lone Austin Peay offer from October, it’s unclear why more programs aren’t in pursuit of a steady, blossoming big man. He’s shown consistent growth over the last calendar year, but Johnson could easily take his game to another level upon learning the nuances of the college game. He finishes, rebounds, blocks shots, and runs the floor properly in transition. Johnson is comfortable at finishing from the block but can also knock down perimeter jumpers at a nice clip. Expect him to emerge as a useful contributor at the next level.