Jaren Jackson Jr. recently became the first Ohio Valley Hoops Classic alum to make an NBA roster.
Jackson was the fourth pick of the Memphis Grizzlies in the this year’s NBA draft out of Michigan State.
More future NBA or college standouts could be on the rosters of this year’s lineup at the fifth annual OVHC at Hillsboro High School Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
This year’s schedule is:
• 6 p.m. Nov. 30: Lakota East vs Dayton Dunbar
• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30: Hillsboro vs Wilmington
• 9 p.m. Nov. 30: McClain vs East Clinton
• Noon Dec. 1: Xenia vs Walton Verona
• 1:40 p.m. Dec. 1: Moller vs Lexington Bryan Station
• 3:20 p.m. Dec. 1: Blanchester vs Beechwood
• 5 p.m. Dec. 1: Campbell Co. vs Walnut Ridge
• 6:40 p.m. Dec. 1: Hillsboro vs Maysville St. Patrick
• 8:10 p.m. Dec 1: Mason vs Sidney
Ohio Valley Hoops Classic alumni dot rosters at Power Five schools North Carolina, Indiana, North Carolina State, Texas, Notre Dame, and Kentucky. A.J. Harris of Dayton Dunbar played a year at Ohio State before transferring to New Mexico State, while Ibi Watson of Pickerington Central played at Michigan before transferring to Dayton.
Wilmington’s Jarron Cumberland, who holds the top two scoring games in Ohio Valley Hoops Classic history, is the top returning player for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Ironically, the most highly rated player at the time Cumberland participated in the OVHC is neither in college or the NBA. Princeton’s Darius Bazley, ranked No. 9 by ESPN, decommitted from Syracuse to play in the NBA G-League, then announced he would not play anywhere this season.
The 2014 matchup between Dayton Dunbar and Pickerington Central featured eight players who would go on to play Division I college basketball. The 2014 and 2015 events, held at Wilmington College, have produced a total of 31 Division I players. Thus far, the 2016 and 2017 events held at Southern State Community College, have produced 18 Division I players. That total will grow as several of those participants are still in high school, but will eventually play in college.
For a full list of all the former Ohio Valley Hoops Classic participants who are now playing Division I college basketball check out the event website at www.ohiovalleyhoopsclassic.com and look under the ‘History’ tab.
