2023 OSBA Final 8 Scouting Report
The Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association Final 8 weekend showcased some of the top high school basketball talent in the province. Here are scouting reports on over 20 standout players:
Ibrahim Sacko | 6’8 | J. Addison | 2023
Sacko is a physically imposing presence on the court with a solid frame and long arms. He is a versatile player who can play both inside and out, with a good touch around the rim and a reliable mid-range jumper. He also moves incredibly well for his size and can defend multiple positions.There isn’t a player in this class quite like Sacko.
David Simon | 6’11 | Royal Crown Academy | 2023
Simon is a towering center with a massive wingspan and great defensive instincts. He has soft hands and good touch around the rim, not necessarily a threat beyond the arc but has the ability to stretch the floor and make a shot.. His size alone makes him an intimidating force on the court.
Matai Baptiste | 6’9 | Orangeville Prep | 2023
Baptiste is an athletic forward with great shooting ability and a college ready frame. He has a good feel for the game and can play multiple positions, including handling the ball and running the offense.Picking up a lot of buzz from D1 programs & Matai was recently named to the Grind Session All-Star game in Phoenix, AZ.
Nemanja Sarkanovic | 6’4 | J. Addison | 2023
Sarkanovic is a true competitor, a guard with a quick release and good range. He moves well without the ball and can create his own shot off the dribble. He is an elite level defender who is extremely pesky and active in the passing lanes. Great leadership & communication skills. Will be more than serviceable at the next level.
Jalik Dunkley | 6’7 | Orangeville Prep | 2024
Dunkley is a versatile forward with good size and athleticism. He has a quick first step and can finish way above the rim with authority, one of, if not the best athlete in his class (twin brother Jahnai could give him a run for his money). He’s becoming a more consistent outside scorer making him a deadly threat to the opposition. Has High Major even Blue Blood potential.
Maxwell Voorpool | 5’10 | United Scholastic Academy | 2023
Voorpool is a quick and shifty point guard with great ball handling skills.Competes at a high level at all times. Possesses a noticeably different type of love and passion for the game. When Max is on the court he is a difference maker. He has good court vision and can make plays for himself and his teammates. Type of prospect who if he was 6’3 would be a no brainer Division I recruit, still may be but has had to adapt his style of play to suit his stature.
Efeosa Oliogu | 6’8 | United Scholastic Academy | 2025
Oliogu is a long and athletic forward with great defensive instincts. He has good timing and can block shots and alter opponents’ shots. He made some of the most jaw dropping finishes around the rim, switching hands mid air & crushing dunks like the rim owed him money. This is the future of Canadian basketball in a big way, Efeosa Oliogu.
Diego Ramos | 6’4 | Fort Erie International Academy | 2024
Ramos is a skilled wing player with good size and shooting ability. He has a smooth shooting stroke and can create his own shot off the dribble. Made shots when it mattered, multiple triples, clutch free throws. One of the most consistent defenders in the tournament as well.
Sean Blake | 6’2 | Victory Academy | 2024
Blake is a quick and explosive guard with good ball handling skills. He has a good first step and can get to the rim with ease. Makes tough shots more often than not and has that takeover ability where he can really change the outcome of a game when he’s on. Going to be a top dog next season without a doubt, looking forward to following his spring/summer development.
Malik Gibbs | 5’11 | Lincoln Prep | 2023
Gibbs is a tenacious and scrappy guard with good defensive skills. Known to some as the “Island Boy” of Ontario, when he has an iso scenario ¾ of the time he’s getting a bucket. He has good quickness and can pressure opponents on the perimeter. Will be a solid backcourt piece for a lot of post secondary programs, can truly score with anyone.
Rav Randhawa | 6’3 | J. Addison | 2023
Randhawa is one of the top shooters in the country, with a quick and consistent release that allows him to knock down shots from anywhere on the court. He has excellent footwork and body control, which allows him to create space for himself to get his shot off even when closely guarded. Randhawa is also an underrated ball handler, and he can use his dribble to create his own shot or to attack closeouts and get to the rim. His defensive effort is solid, and he is a good team defender who is always aware of his surroundings.
Michael Evbagharu | 6’5 | Royal Crown Academy | 2023
Evbagharu is one of the most underrated prospects in Canada. Evbagharu has excellent size for his position and is a versatile scorer who can get to the basket with ease. He is a good ball handler who can create his own shot, expanded his range this past weekend knocking down a handful of triples over the course of the weekend. Evbagharu is also a solid defender who uses his length and athleticism to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots.
Yamari Allette | 6’5 | United Scholastic Academy | 2023
Yamari Allette, a 6’5 swingman from United Scholastic Academy who recently signed with Old Dominion. Allette is a versatile player who can play multiple positions for USA. He is a good scorer who can finish at the rim with authority and has a smooth mid-range jump shot. Allette is also a solid defender who uses his length and athleticism to defend 1-3, and he is a good rebounder who can start the fast break with his ability to handle the ball.
Anderson Cummins | 6’1 | Victory Academy | 2023
Cummins is a shifty 6’1 point guard from Victory Academy who can facilitate and get to the line. Cummins is a great ball handler who can break down defenses with his quickness and change of direction. He is a solid passer who can find his teammates in transition or in the half-court, and he is a crafty finisher around the rim who can draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. Cummins is also a solid defender who uses his quickness and anticipation to get steals and disrupt the opposing team’s offense.
Koat Thomas | 6’7 | Royal Crown Academy | 2023
Thomas is a versatile 6’7 wing from Royal Crown Academy who can initiate the offense. Thomas is a good ball handler who can bring the ball up the court and create his own shot off the dribble. He is a good passer with elite court vision and basketball IQ, and he has a smooth jump shot that makes him a threat from beyond the arc. Thomas should see his recruitment pick up in the coming weeks after his performances this weekend.
Preston Gayle | 6’6 | United Scholastic Academy | 2023
Gayle is a 6’6 small forward from United Scholastic Academy who recently took an unofficial visit to Holy Cross. Gayle is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and is a above average athlete. He is a top notch scorer who can finish at the rim and knock down shots from beyond the arc, and he is a solid rebounder who can push the fast break with his ability to handle the ball. Gayle is also one of the most versatile and slept on prospects in his respective class.
Jacyn Taylor | 6’5 | J. Addison | 2023
Taylor is a tough, 6’5 guard from J. Addison who can create his own shot at will. Taylor is a great scorer who can knock down shots from beyond the arc or get to the rim and finish through contact. A trustworthy ball handler who can create his own shot off the dribble, you get some serious Jimmy Butler vibes when you watch him play. Taylor is also a great rebounder for his position.
Kobe Charles | 6’4 | United Scholastic Academy | 2023
Kobe Charles is a dynamic guard with a polished offensive game and the ability to create his own shot. At 6’4, he has great size for his position and uses it well to finish strong at the rim. Charles has a quick release on his jump shot and has the range to knock down shots from beyond the arc. He also possesses a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision, making him a capable playmaker. Expect to see big things from Kobe Charles this AAU season.
Oliver Faubert | 6’10 | Fort Erie International Academy | 2024
At 6’10, Oliver Faubert is a Kristaps Porzingis like prospect on the court except more mobile and a tad shorter. He has great hands and footwork, allowing him to be effective in the post and on the perimeter. Faubert’s shooting range extends beyond the three-point line and he is comfortable handling the ball in transition. Defensively, he has the size and strength to protect the rim and can also guard multiple positions. Oliver Faubert is a versatile and skilled big man who will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Recently picked up an offer from Ole Miss.
Felix Kossaras | 6’5 | Fort Erie International Academy | 2024
Felix Kossaras is a sharpshooter with unlimited range and a ton of confidence. At 6’5, he has the size and athleticism to get to the basket and finish strong. Kossaras has good ball-handling skills and can create his own shot off the dribble. He also has a high basketball IQ and plays with great intensity on both ends of the court. With his shooting ability and overall skill set, Felix Kossaras has the potential to be a big-time scorer at the next level.
Josiah Francis | 6’7 | United Scholastic Academy | 2024
Josiah Francis is a versatile forward with great athleticism and an excellent motor. At 6’7, I like the size and strength to play inside and the quickness and agility to play on the perimeter. Francis is an aggressive rebounder and a tenacious defender who can guard a variety of positions. He has good ball-handling skills and an impressive vertical. Josiah Francis is a high-energy player who will be a valuable asset to any team.
Sean De Kovachich | 6’5 | Orangeville Prep | 2023
Sean De Kovachich is a tough wing with a versatile skill set and great athleticism. At 6’5, he has good size for his position and uses it well to finish at the rim and bully opponents. De Kovachich has a quick trigger finger and is willing to pull even in transition. He is also a capable ball-handler and a strong defender on and off the ball. With his all-around game, Sean De Kovachich has the potential to be a high-impact player at the next level.
Hunter Harding | 6’11 | Royal Crown Academy | 2023
Hunter is a top big man in the class of 2023 but shares minutes with David Simon on Royal Crown. If he were to be on a different roster he could definitely be relied upon more but I believe he is a key piece to the Lions roster in this playoff run. Hunter has soft hands and plays with a ton of emotion. Great stamina for his size and can be a double double guy at the collegiate level.
Arden Begaj | 7’0 | United Scholastic Academy | 2024
One of the most highly recruited big man in the class of 2024, with visits to Richmond and Princeton already it’s not hard to tell that Arden is an elite Canadian prospect. Arden is incredibly athletic stretch 4/5 who can hit 3’s at a high clip. Has the frame to get stronger but at the moment he demonstrates great control of his 7 foot frame.
Jahari Williamson | 6’3 | Royal Crown Academy | 2023
One of the earliest players in the class of 2023 for a reason, Jahari is a stone cold killer. There’s not a doubt in my mind that this kid will excel at the NCAA Division I level. He’s composed and polished. Elite ball handling, Kyrie of his class in terms of ball control. High upside will impact Valparaiso next season. One of those undeniable BioSteel All Canadian picks for me.
Ishan Sharma | 6’4 | Fort Erie International Academy | 2024
I’ve written about Ishan a fair bit since working with NPH, and the reason is he’s sensational. Everywhere I go when I speak to spectators, coaches and other players — everyone respects Ishan Sharma’s skillset. One of those guys you just need on your team. Can score, defend, lead & communicate at a D1 level.
