Ohio Basketball Recruiting Topic
Topic: 2017 6'9" PF AJ Gareri (Akron Ellet HS) - Ohio Signee
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OUVan
2/6/2017 12:29 PM
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
From what I've seen on video, I disagree with the Zips fans. I heard that Akron came in kind of late and recruited him, but it was too late to change his mind.

I think he's got a balanced game.
Slow day at work so I was able to just finish watching the Ellet vs Firestone game that came on youtube after the video that was just posted. Not a scout but here is my assessment. On the offensive end he will come in an contribute right away. But like so many high school big men he's going to have to work on his defense and rebounding. At least in this video he relied too much on his size difference to play D and grab rebounds. It's also interesting to see the difference between AJ with the ball and AJ without the ball. Watching him run up the court without the ball he looks lumbering and unathletic. As soon as the ball hits his hands however he transforms into a completely different looking player. He has good handles and looks like a great athlete with the ball. He's got a nice looking shot and can get it off quickly. He didn't shoot the ball well in this game but I came away thinking that he looks the part. By far his biggest asset is his court vision and his passing ability. He really moves the ball well and finds guys in good positions. I'm predicting he will be in the rotation next year but like so many young bigs will spend a lot of time in foul trouble until he gets some of the defensive nuances down. He's big and solid but the weight room will do him good. But he will be a valuable piece on the offensive end from the start.
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akroncat
2/6/2017 1:31 PM
I have not seen him play in person. Since I get the local paper, I thought I would try to keep everyone up to date. I have seen him in person at the Physical
Therapy place that I use for workouts. He had a badly sprained ankle two weeks ago and was receiving therapy. He is a legitimate 6'8" or 6'9". I have seen him listed at 230 lb. but that may be a stretch. He certainly will need some strength training. I do see him as somewhat of a Kaminski clone who rebounds better. I certainly hope he brings the whole package like Mr. Carter seems to be doing this year.
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Jeff McKinney
2/6/2017 4:03 PM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
From what I've seen on video, I disagree with the Zips fans. I heard that Akron came in kind of late and recruited him, but it was too late to change his mind.

I think he's got a balanced game.
Slow day at work so I was able to just finish watching the Ellet vs Firestone game that came on youtube after the video that was just posted. Not a scout but here is my assessment. On the offensive end he will come in an contribute right away. But like so many high school big men he's going to have to work on his defense and rebounding. At least in this video he relied too much on his size difference to play D and grab rebounds. It's also interesting to see the difference between AJ with the ball and AJ without the ball. Watching him run up the court without the ball he looks lumbering and unathletic. As soon as the ball hits his hands however he transforms into a completely different looking player. He has good handles and looks like a great athlete with the ball. He's got a nice looking shot and can get it off quickly. He didn't shoot the ball well in this game but I came away thinking that he looks the part. By far his biggest asset is his court vision and his passing ability. He really moves the ball well and finds guys in good positions. I'm predicting he will be in the rotation next year but like so many young bigs will spend a lot of time in foul trouble until he gets some of the defensive nuances down. He's big and solid but the weight room will do him good. But he will be a valuable piece on the offensive end from the start.
Could have something to do with him just coming off an injury.
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GroverBall
2/6/2017 4:40 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
not much actual hoops in that video
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OUVan
2/6/2017 8:52 PM
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
Could have something to do with him just coming off an injury.
Good call. Hadn't thought of that. If that is the case he does a good job pushing through the pain when he needs to.
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OUVan
2/9/2017 2:13 PM
Ellet moves to 15-3 with a 88-27 lambasting of North. AJ with a double-double (11-10) in what I would hope was limited minutes. It looks like there are three home games left and then the playoffs begin.
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akroncat
2/11/2017 1:37 PM
AJ scored 20 points in a win over Massilon (12-6). The score was 81 to 75. He only scored 4 baskets but added 12 free throws.
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OhioCatFan
2/11/2017 2:27 PM
akroncat wrote:expand_more
AJ scored 20 points in a win over Massilon (12-6). The score was 81 to 75. He only scored 4 baskets but added 12 free throws.
We need a guy who can hit free throws! ;-)
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akroncat
2/18/2017 8:28 AM
Big night for AJ and Ellet as they won the Akron City League championship. He had 25 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals during the 61-44 game. Lots of pictures and a front of the sports page article in the Akron Beacon Journal.
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Jeff McKinney
2/18/2017 10:19 AM
Sounds great!
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akroncat
2/19/2017 12:49 PM
Ellet beat Green last night 48 to 31. AJ had 20 points and 6 rebounds. He made 8 foul shots so hopefully he will improve our percent next year.
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akroncat
2/21/2017 10:11 AM
Big game this Friday against Jackson who is rated in the top 5 in Division I. Ellet is 18-3 and Jackson is 19-2. Jackson lost to STVM last week on a 3 pointer at the buzzer by the kid we were recruiting who I think will help Buffalo next year.
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brucecuth
2/23/2017 8:06 PM
Congrats to A J, named All Akron City Series First Team. His coach, Mark Fisher, named Coach of the Year.
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brucecuth
2/25/2017 6:44 AM
Ellet falls to Massillon Jackson, but A.J. acquits himself well with 21 points and 9 rebounds. See you in Athens!
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Valley Cat
2/25/2017 8:05 AM
Jackson has three kids in the starting lineup going D1.
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allen
2/25/2017 9:19 AM
brucecuth wrote:expand_more
Ellet falls to Massillon Jackson, but A.J. acquits himself well with 21 points and 9 rebounds. See you in Athens!
Way to go AJ
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akroncat
2/25/2017 11:12 AM
Ellet was ahead with 4 minutes left. The 6'7" kid is going to Butler and the 6'5" one is going to Toledo. AJ had 6 field goals, 8 foul shots, and 9 rebounds. He seems to get fouled frequently and make his free throws.
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GoCats105
2/27/2017 8:27 AM
brucecuth wrote:expand_more
Ellet falls to Massillon Jackson, but A.J. acquits himself well with 21 points and 9 rebounds. See you in Athens!
Luckily this was NOT a tournament game. They start their tournament run this weekend.
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OUVan
2/27/2017 12:04 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Luckily this was NOT a tournament game. They start their tournament run this weekend.
And if I'm reading the brackets correctly they play the winner of East vs East. I think East wins a close one.
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GoCats105
2/27/2017 12:07 PM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
Luckily this was NOT a tournament game. They start their tournament run this weekend.
And if I'm reading the brackets correctly they play the winner of East vs East. I think East wins a close one.
Good call. And I have no idea who they are. I know one is Akron East. I'm assuming the other is Cleveland East.

Edit: Akron East vs. Youngstown East
Last Edited: 2/27/2017 2:09:57 PM by GoCats105
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allen
3/5/2017 8:41 AM
pretty impressive, most of these teams have 2 D1 players, Ellet finishes number 17 with one. http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-24959... /
Last Edited: 3/5/2017 12:20:30 PM by allen
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ohio9704
3/5/2017 10:25 AM
Alliance Division I Sectional 
ELLET 83, YOUNGSTOWN EAST 68
East 18 17 14 19 — 68
Ellet 26 10 23 24 — 83
YOUNGSTOWN EAST — Pagan 5-5-16, Matlock 1-0-3, Bryant 2-5-9, Backuv 4-2-13, Weaver 2-3-7, Ingles 1-0-2, Ramey 3-2-8, Loury 2-0-5, Williams 1-3-6. Totals: 21 20-30 68.
ELLET (19-4) — Gareri 6-11-24, Zamelli 0-1-1, Bridges 3-2-9, Kline 2-0-5, Williams 2-1-5, Jones 7-4-22, Smith 7-3-17. Totals: 27 22-30 83.
3-point goals: Jones 4, Backuv 3, Pagan 2, Bridges, Kline, Gareri, Matlock, Laury, Williams. Fouls: Ell., 25-18. Rebounds: East; Ell., 36 (Gareri 11).


Box score from Akron Beacon Journal (ohio.com) from their win over Youngstown East.
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Danny's Knee
3/5/2017 11:21 AM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
Luckily this was NOT a tournament game. They start their tournament run this weekend.
And if I'm reading the brackets correctly they play the winner of East vs East. I think East wins a close one.
I've been able to see both of these teams play .. EAST is by far the better team .. I wouldn't be surprised to see EAST win in a blowout , although it's very likely EAST will also lose !!

BANG !! .. OH BABY what a BIG TIME opportunity for EAST !!
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ohio9704
3/8/2017 9:39 PM
AJ's Ellet team has their season end with a 67-57 loss to Warren Harding. 19 pts for AJ per Ellet twitter.
Last Edited: 3/8/2017 10:24:07 PM by ohio9704
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OU_Country
3/9/2017 10:24 AM
ohio9704 wrote:expand_more
AJ's Ellet team has their season end with a 67-57 loss to Warren Harding. 19 pts for AJ per Ellet twitter.
Damn. I was hoping to see them play when they made it to the Schott.
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