Bleacher Republic’s Buckeye Classic Sunday Top Performers
Written by Brennan Lewis
Top Performers
Alex Smith | 2026 | 6’9 PF | Upper Arlington | Midwest 3SSB - Ohio State commit
Alex was the best player in the entire tournament. His size was tough to stop by any team. He likes to go right and get low and go up strong to the basket. He’s more physical than he originally looks. In the championship, he found his three-point shot and knocked a couple down. He probably shot around 75% from three in the semifinal and final games. He’s a very efficient player for and being the type of recruited player he is he could easily just do it all himself but chooses to be a team player and was a big reason Midwest came away champions.
Jason Singleton | 2026 | 6’3 CG | Columbus Academy | Ohio Buckets EYCL
As a fan it’s hard not to like his game. Fresh off a huge performance in a D5 state championship loss, Singleton is ready to even further his uprising recruitment. He is up to 7 offers now and should have more calling by the end of AAU. At the Buckeye Classic, he got to the hoops with ease. He also likes his go-to step back elbow jumper and once teams figured it out, they still couldn’t stop it. On top of that, he usually takes on the duties of guarding the opposing teams' best players such as Smith. His game will translate to any level.
Xavier McKinney | 2026 | 6’3 CG | Reynoldsburg | Ohio Buckets EYCL - Ohio U commit
McKinney played out of his mind in the final against Midwest. Midwest got off to a decent lead early but fresh out of the half, Mckinney had a dozen or so points in a row by himself. Known generally as a point guard, I like his ability on the wing to get out and run. He had a couple possessions off steals where he got down the floor for a transition dunk. If taller defenders aren’t careful, he can put them in a poster quickly. He’s also a very capable knockdown shooter. I look for him to have a big senior year in a larger role with Reynoldsburg. After that, he’ll join former teammate Jordan Fisher and current fellow 2026 teammate Jordan Bowens at Ohio University.
Jakhi Calloway | 2026 | 6’0 PG | Bishop Harley | Nova Village UA Rise
Calloway is a guy who gets better every time I see him. He’s everything you want in a point guard. Most teams didn’t keep up with Midwest, but Nova kept it close with the help of Calloway. It helps him a lot to have such a good shooter in Marco Mattucci, but there came a point in the second half where Jakhi needed to score himself and he’s just two quick for defenders to stay on. On defense, he picks up full court and there is very few if any other guards in the state who are as twitchy as him. Look for him to have more of that scoring effect in 2025-2026 with Hartley due to the graduation of his brother Jaden.
Athens McGillis | 2026 | 5’11 CG | Covington Catholic (KY) | Ohio Champion UA Rise 17u
Athens really caught fire in the second half in the semis against the Ohio Buckets, and the Buckets really have some talented defenders. It seemed he couldn’t miss from anywhere. The 5’11 guard finished with an earned 23 points in that game. He is really talented at somehow finding an opening look from three. If it did get taken away, he’d drive to the basket and typically dish it off to a teammate for a layup. He did his best to keep OCB in the game and is a no brainer for a college in need of a scorer. He can shoot the crap out of the ball.
Jack Leppeleimer | 2026 | 6’2 G | Pettisville | NWO Basketball
A really smooth player, Leppeleimer had a big Sunday for NWO. He likes to get to his spot to catch and shoot but also showcased his ability to be physical as well. On one occasion he drove to the wing and hit a fadeaway jumper. He is also built to defend all five positions if needed. Lookout for Leppeleimer in the winter with small school Pettisville, who won 18 games this past season.
Luca Filia | 2028 | 6’1 PG | Olentangy Berlin | Nova Village
Filia no longer looks or acts like a freshman. The do-it-all lefty is much stronger and noticed that playing against another Nova team and drove multiple possessions in a row and was able to get to the line well. Filia has a good-looking shot, but possibly his best trait is that he is always diving on the floor and giving it 100%. He’ll be a pivotal piece in building Olentangy Berlin’s program, who also has a couple of other young pieces coming up. He’ll be a guy to keep an eye on in the grassroots the next couple of years.
Cam Johnson | 2028 | 6’1 G | Centennial | Midwest Pumas 3GSB
I could have chosen multiple from the 15u Buckeye Classic champ Midwest Pumas team, but I chose to go with Johnson. He is wing/guard with good size for his age. On Sunday, he had his way with finding open jumpers and driving to the rack. His quick defense helps spark transition getting him or his teammates a bucket. The Pumas was blowing out teams left and right on Sunday. Johnson already has some varsity experience and will be big for Centennial moving forward. I like his upside.