By ADAM ZAGORIA
Scotty Middleton, the four-star Class of 2023 small forward from Sunrise Christian (KS) and Brad Beal Elite, is headed to the Big Ten Conference.
The 6-foot-6, 180-pound South Carolina native chose Ohio State over Seton Hall and UConn on Sunday. He is ranked the No. 7 small forward in his class by 247Sports.com.
“I will be taking my talents to Ohio State University,” he told ZAGSBLOG ahead of his public announcement. “Ultimately the reason why I chose them was really just my fit and relationship with the coaches. Coach [Chris] Holtmann and Coach [Jake] Diebler did a great job of just always being involved.”
He added: “”They always speak on how versatile my game is so I think I’ll play multiple positions and have multiple roles on the team. Coach talked about me playing off and on the ball and potentially playing the 1,2 and 3 in college.”
He joins point guard George Washington III, small forward Devin Royal and center Austin Parks in Ohio State’s 2023 class.
“Scotty is one of the most competitive players I’ve coached,” Sunrise Christian coach Luke Barnwell said. “He has a high basketball IQ and is an elite on-ball defender. He has worked to become and efficient shooter and scorer and I look forward to coaching him one more year.”
Ultimately, Middleton’s goal is to reach the NBA.
“I think Ohio State will prepare me for the NBA because of the conference we play in and the competition we will play in the Big 10,” he said. “Seeing Guys like Malaki Branham with a similar skill set who just really worked hard in a system that Ohio State put him in, I’m sure they will put me in similar positions to just thrive and let my game shine at the highest level.”
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