Jason Morrow:
Future150 National Editor/ Midwest Recruiting. Covering high and middle school basketball. OH,IN and IL.
COLUMBUS, OH (Future150) -- As the early signing period for the 2015 has opened its doors, many of the top recruits in the class have taken the oppourtunity to set their verbal commitments in stone by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) to their respective schools.
After a strong 2014 class that featured the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Jae'Sean Tate, Ohio State head coach Thad Matta and his staff have done it again, bringing in yet another top-10 recruiting class this season. Three of the four players signed by the Buckeyes, Plano West's (TX) Mickey Mitchell, Rockwall's (TX) Austin Grandstaff and Oak Hill's (VA) Daniel Giddens all are featured in the Future150 Top 100 rankings. Only Dayton Dunbar's (OH) AJ "Amos" Harris is not in the rankings, but make no mistake the point guard is a top talent.
Mickey Mitchell (6'7/SF/Plano West HS):
With the offensive issues of the Buckeyes of late, Mitchell will be a definite help in that area, being able to slash and use his frame to get to the rim with ease. HIs motor will keep him going on both ends of the floor and is a great fit for Matta's system in regards to his high effort. Mitchell missed the 2013-14 high school campaign due to a torn ACL, but he came back strong in the EYBL as he averaged five points, 4.8 rebounds and assists per game, helping his Texas Titans squad to the Peach Jam.
Austin Grandstaff (6'5/SG/Rockwall HS):
If Mitchell is a good scorer, then fellow-Texan Austin Grandstaff is a great scorer. The Rockwall, Texas guard will be a long-range threat from day one in Columbus, keeping defenses on their heels with his lights out shooting capabalities. His 44-point performance in an EYBL win over Team United is a great example of his scoring abilities, as the future-Buckeye knocked down nine of 15 shots from beyond the arc.
Daniel Giddens (6'10/C/Oak Hill Academy):
A five-star talent originially from Wheeler, GA, the six-foot-ten Giddens is a big time rim protector that will control the paint at the next level. His ability to affect shots around the basket and pull down rebounds is going to be much needed as the Scarlet and Grey will lose two key bigs in Amir Williams and Trey McDonald after this season to graduation. Giddens has some offensive skill right now but does need to work on some post game to be a truly dominant force on both ends of the floor.
A.J. "Amos" Harris (5'9/PG/Dayton Dunbar HS):
Much like Giddens filling in a missing piece at the center position, point guard AJ Harris will be replacing the graduating Shannon Scott. At just five-foot-nine, the shifty Harris will need to make a big impact and do so in more ways than just scoring, as his high basketball IQ will be much needed at the point guard position. Do not let the rec specs fool you, Harris is a big-time gamer and will make an impact in year one for the Buckeyes.
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