Sports

Ohio MBB Positional Breakdown: Forwards

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to

Perhaps the biggest difference between last year’s Ohio team and this year’s team comes at the forward position. Last season the Bobcats only had three players listed at taller than 6-foot-6. This season, though, they have six. The forwards of Ohio are a versatile group. They can play inside and outside. They play well defensively. The forwards should be the strength of the 2013-14 Ohio team.

Maurice Ndour: Maurice Ndour is a walking matchup problem. The 6-foot-9 forward will pose major problems for opposing defenses this season because of his versatility. He is big enough to play down low, but he also has guard skills. Ndour is a legitimate threat from behind the 3-point line. He is also exceptionally comfortable handling the ball for a power forward. The Senegal native employs his extraordinary athleticism on the defensive end of the floor as he is shot blocking presence in the paint. Ndour should be a major factor for Ohio this season.

Jon Smith: Jon Smith, like Ndour, is also a shot blocker. Even when he cannot block a shot, the 6-foot-7 forward uses his long arms to force the offensive player into a tougher shot. Smith is somewhat limited offensively. He has a decent jump shot, but he rarely uses it. As a senior, Smith will provide much needed leadership for the developing, young big men.

T.J. Hall: Fans did not get a chance to see a healthy T.J. Hall last season as he was recovering from a lingering knee injury. This season, however, Hall is healthy and poised to be a major contributor for Ohio this season. The 6-foot-6 senior is a slasher. He can get to the rim and finish. However, he also has a decent 3-point shot. He also handles the ball well at the small forward position. Hall will be a solid defender as well for Ohio now that his knee is healthy.

Treg Setty: Much like Ndour, Setty is a player with a forward’s body and guard-like ability. At 6 feet 9 inches tall and 196 pounds, Setty can body up fellow big men in the post, but showed capable of handling the ball at the perimeter against Ashland. The redshirt sophomore from Maysville, Ky., has not played in an official game in more than a year and a half after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. Once Setty shakes off the rust, he will be in a position to provide Ohio with yet another versatile big man off the bench.

Antonio Campbell: Listed at 6-foot-8 and 279 pounds, Campbell is Ohio’s largest forward. With that size and a good touch around the rim, Campbell has the potential to be a legitimate scoring threat down the road for the Bobcats. In addition to a soft touch, the Kentucky native also has a solid jump shot. It will be difficult to predict how much playing time he will receive behind Ndour and Smith though.

Wadley Mompremier: Mompremier comes to Ohio from Miami Senior High School. At 6-foot-10, he is the tallest player for the Bobcats. The freshman forward has a solid post game and decent touch. He is still pretty raw, but his height may be able to get him some minutes as a freshman. At the very least, Mompremier will provide Ohio with another large body.

Khari Harley: Harley was a late addition to the class of 2013 as he committed to Ohio in late August. At 6-foot-8 and 170 pounds, you will not find him playing in the post. Harley was originally a guard, but a 4-inch growth spurt in his sophomore year in high school forced him to move down to the forward position. Harley, however, kept his ball handling skills and shooting ability, making him a major matchup problem for defenders.