Holtmann Inks Another Top Class
11/9/2022 3:23:24 PM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the second consecutive cycle, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann has inked one of the top classes in the country. This year’s signing class of Taison Chatman, Scotty Middleton, Austin Parks and Devin Royal is ranked as the No. 5 class according to 247Sports.
Chatman and Royal are both the top-ranked players in the respective states. The 6-4 Chatman is a combo guard from Minneapolis and plays on one of the top teams in Minnesota. Royal is a local standout from Pickerington Central who led the Tigers to a state title this past March. Parks is a strong, stout center from Saint Mary’s, Ohio who will bring a physical presence in the post next season. Middleton is the highest ranked player in the class and will lead one of the nation’s top high school programs in Sunrise Christian (Kansas) this winter.
SIGNED
A consensus four star recruit ranked #31 in the country by @247Sports , and the top ranked player in Minnesota
Welcome to Buckeye Nation @tchat04 ! pic.twitter.com/WXPqA2rv07
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 9, 2022
Taison Chatman
Combo Guard
6-4, 175
Minneapolis, Minn.
Totino-Grace
- 31 prospect overall and 8th-best combo guard in the 247 composite national rankings
- Top-ranked player in the state of Minnesota
- Scored 13.5 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game last season to lead Totino-Grace to the 3A State title in 2022
- Has already scored over 1,000 career points in three high school seasons
- Played for D1 Minnesota on the AAU circuit, Taison was one of the most efficient guards on the Adidas Circuit
- Named Pre-Season POY by Breakdown Sport Media in Minnesota
Holtmann on Chatman: “We are really excited to add Taison to our program. From the day we met Taison and his family, it was obvious that they are close and love the game. We are thrilled to welcome all of them to our family. Taison is a gifted scorer with an ability to create for others as well. He plays with a mature pace and provides versatility as a multi-positional guard. A proven winner and state champion, Buckeye Nation is going to enjoy watching Taison represent our program.
SIGNED
A Five-Star recruit and the 18th ranked player in the 2023 class according to @ESPN!
Welcome to Buckeye Nation @ScottyMiddleto9 ! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/i5JLTANocX
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 9, 2022
Scotty Middleton
Guard/Wing
6-7, 190
Miami, Fla.
Sunrise Christian
- A five-star prospect who is ranked 18th nationally according to ESPN
- Ranked 38th nationally and the second ranked player in the state of Florida in the 247 composite rankings
- Versatile perimeter player who plays on one of the most talented teams in the country at Sunrise Christian
- Helped lead Sunrise Christian to the Geico Nationals as a Junior
- Has been named a team captain for his senior season
- Is also considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the class, both on and off the ball
- Played for Brad Beal Elite AAU team on the EYBL Circuit
- Helped lead Brad Beal Elite to the Elite 8 of Nike’s Peach Jam where he averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across the seven games
- Attended the invite only USA Basketball mini-camp in October
Holtmann on Middleton: “Scotty is another tremendous addition to our program. Scotty is a gifted athlete with two-way potential that provides positional size and versatility on the perimeter. His ability to impact the game on the defensive end of the floor is special. Buckeye Nation is going to love his personality and competitiveness, and we can’t wait for him to get here and get to work.”
SIGNED
Ranked as a 4-star prospect by @ESPN, a 6'10" big man from St. Marys, Ohio.
Welcome to Buckeye Nation @AustinParks2023 ! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/KY7aVD5KEJ
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 9, 2022
Austin Parks
Center
6-10, 250
Saint Mary’s, Ohio
St. Mary’s Memorial
- EPSN four-star prospect and a Top-10 ranked center nationally
- Strong, physical post player
- Has scored over 1,000 points in his high school career
- Averaged 19 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 blocks while earning second team All-State honors as a junior at St. Mary’s
- Had seven 20-point games as a junior, including a 24-point, six rebound and four assist effort in the district championship game
- Played AAU ball with Ohio Buckets
- Mother Shari played collegiate volleyball at UT Arlington
Holtmann on Parks: “We are excited to officially welcome Austin and his family to The Ohio State University and our basketball family. Austin has a tremendous combination of size, athleticism, and strength for a big man. There is no doubt that he fits perfectly in the Scarlet and Gray. We love his skill set and feel, and we look forward to seeing his continued growth. I know he can’t wait to put on an Ohio State uniform in front of his family and friends.”
SIGNED
Ranked 26th in the nation by @On3sports, this consensus 4-star recruit is the top ranked player in Ohio.
Welcome to Buckeye Nation @DevinRoyal7 ! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/nBxzyintUD
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 9, 2022
Devin Royal
Wing/Forward
6-6, 210
Pickerington, Ohio
Pickerington Central
- Consensus four-star recruit who is ranked 26th according the On3 rankings
- Top-ranked player in Ohio
- Led Pickerington Central to a DI state title in 2022 as a junior. Scored a game-high 20 points in the win
- Earned first team All-Ohio honors after averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists
- Named a Top 30 player at the Pangos Camp in Las Vegas and was named the MVP of the camp by On3
- Played for All-Ohio Red in 2022 and averaged 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting over 51 percent in 26 games
- Played alongside current Ohio State football player Sonny Styles at Pickerington Central
Holtmann on Royal: “We want to officially welcome Devin and his family to our Buckeye family. It’s clear that Ohio State holds a special place in he and his family’s hearts. Devin is a state champion, a gifted scorer, and his combination of skill and toughness make him a perfect fit for the Big Ten Conference. We are excited for the impact he will make on our program and the greater Columbus community, and we know that he is going to represent Buckeye Nation with great pride and passion.”
#GoBucks
