Midwest Mania- Ohio's Top 2027 and 2028 Prospects
Written by Tony Peters
Top Performers
Thomas Cochran | 2027 | 6’6 | PF | Dublin Coffman | Midwest 3SSB
Cochran is one of a few Ohio based guys on Midwest’s 16U 3SSB team. While in Hamilton, Cochran immediately impressed me with his performance against All Ohio Red EYBL. Cochran jumps off the page right away with his lengthy frame. Got quality shots both off the catch and pullup. Cochran put the ball on the floor and impressed with a baseline drive where the lefty finished a reverse layup with his right hand through contact. While he technically is a PF, Cochran could be more of a stretch 4 if he were to grow or a solid wing option with his shooting depending on how he continues to develop.
Shawn Foster | 2027 | 6’2 | CG | Lima Senior | All Ohio Red EYBL
All Ohio’s 16U team has plenty of talent and while Foster has since left AOR, his performance in the Red jersey was noteworthy. Foster has always been one of the better two-way players in the state. Offensively is great at facilitating the offense or creating for himself. Springy and can make plays above the rim in transition. Foster especially makes his mark defensively. Has shown he can lock up opposing guards and great at reading and pre-rotating defensively. In the game I watched, Foster had several tip balls and got transition dunks off turnovers. Foster is arguably the best combo guard in the 2027 class and continues to show improvement every time I watch him play.
Max Joiner | 2028 | 6’4 | SF | Summit Country Day | Indiana Elite 3SSB
After a state semifinal run with Summit Country Day last year, everyone in the state should know who Joiner is. While I saw him many times with Summit, I was able to get a glimpse of him with a very talented Indiana Elite team. I would argue Joiner was the best athlete on his team as he caught attention with his springiness and play above the rim. Had a series where he caught a ball in the corner, ripped the ball going baseline, and finished with a two-hand dunk. Also elevated on an offensive rebound and put back a dunk due to a missed box out. Joiner has such great touch when he’s around the rim and excels being able to drive and get paint touches. I’d like to see his shooting touch continue to improve, but the athleticism can’t be taught and Joiner is already ahead and he’s only going to be a sophomore.
Ben Mirgon | 2027 | 6’1 | CG | Hilliard Bradley | Midwest 3SSB (17U)
I saw Mirgon play twice at Midwest Mania as the rising-junior was playing up at the 17U level for Midwest 3SSB. Mirgon plays like an upperclassmen with his simplistic style of play and next-pass mentality. Absolutely willing to facilitate and set up several high scoring options on his team. In two games against EYBL/EYCL teams, Mirgon showed why he can be an excellent PG or SG at the next level. Can also connect on the 3-ball which he did against Indy Heat. While AAU now has a lot of ball dominance, Mirgon got involved with his off-ball movement, scoring on a weak side backdoor cut several times. Mirgon is a high IQ player and is right up there with Shawn Foster for one of the better CGs in the 2027 class.
Drew Rardin | 2028 | 6’4 | SF | Turpin | All Ohio Red EYBL
The last time I saw Rardin play, he was getting ready to start his freshman year at Turpin and was primarily making plays on the block. Midwest Mania let me see Rardin play in a different way as he was more mobile and expanded his game to perimeter play. Rardin connected on three 1st half 3PT attempts in a blowout win for AOR. Rardin does a great job of getting his feet set and has smooth shot mechanics. The lefty even put the ball on the floor after the defense started to close out harder on his shot fakes. Rardin’s expansion lets him play more freely than what I’ve seen before. This growth is a positive for the rising-sophomore as his role with Turpin should vastly increase going into next year.
Joshua Tyson | 2027 | 6’2 | PG | Lakota West | Phenom United 3SSB
If there is a player that has really exploded since the beginning of the HS season, it’s Tyson. The Lakota West product is playing more confidently and aggressively than I have seen from him in previous AAU or HS settings. Tyson has combo scoring potential as he can put the ball on the floor and slash off the perimeter, or can hit midrange/perimeter shots off the drive or spot up. Tyson’s scoring potential allows him to showcase his facilitation as I watched Tyson make the extra pass and setup easy buckets off paint touches against a very high level Team Herro team. Phenom has plenty of athletes along with Tyson which makes them dangerous when the PG can get a bucket and set up buckets too. Tyson is making his case to be one of the state’s top players in the 2027 class. The Spring should give plenty of schools a chance to see him play with his loaded Phenom United 3SSB team.