Top 2028 prospect Kameron Mercer shows basketball talent

On By Vaseline

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In a complex where three games were taking place simultaneously and more than 100 kids were running on and off the field, all eyes seemed to be on Kameron Mercer.

As Mercer made his way to the top court in the gymnasium at Reynoldsburg’s Summit campus, head after head turned to follow his every move. Cameras and phones followed him from every direction. Mercer was there as part of Prep U Hoops’ Summer Jam event, and only his height separated him—he’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds. But it was more than just his physical stature that drew a steady stream of competitors to his side for photos, for which he willingly smiled.

On this Friday afternoon, the nation’s No. 1 player in the 2028 recruiting class according to PrepHoops.com was in the building, and it was clear that everyone knew it. Mercer, a Cincinnati native who will play for Winton Woods as a freshman this fall, is already accustomed to being the focal point of most of the gyms he walks through.

Where it will ultimately go is impossible to predict. But after playing in two open-gym-style games and throwing down a highlight reel of dunks, Mercer said he’s enjoying the moment but is hungry for more.

“It’s a blessing that the younger kids look up to me and stuff like that,” he said. “It makes me want to stay on the right path. I would say it’s really nice. Sometimes it can get annoying, but overall I like it because everything can be taken away at any time, so enjoy it while it lasts.”

Recruiting rankings for players who haven’t even stepped foot in a high school hallway are notoriously fickle and hard to come by. While 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and On3 all publish rankings that are considered the industry standard, none of the players in the 2028 class have listed yet.

Prep Hoops calls Mercer a shooting guard, but he describes himself more as a true point guard.

“I’m a pass-first guy,” he said. “Most of the time I’m the scoring second, but there are games where I take over and score the ball. I’ll have a 15-, 20-point game here and there, but most of the time I’m a 13-point, 10-rebound, five-assist guy. I’m a true point guard. I make sure everyone is in the right spot.”

That was evident during his two Summer Jam games. On rosters that were largely randomly assembled with players of varying sizes and skill levels, Mercer took the opening tip in the first game. He often brought the ball up the court and pushed the pace on transition opportunities before often letting his teammates run free or attempting a jumper. It wasn’t until the final moments of the second game, with both teams essentially lining up for a dunk show, that Mercer asserted himself as the center of attention.

Then it was time for some highlights. If it had been a more competitive environment, Mercer said, his game would have met such stakes.

“It’s just for fun,” he said. “It’s just for show. I don’t take it as seriously as a real game that I’m trying to win, but it’s a super fun event. I do it for fun, go up and down and play five-on-five.”

Mercer has attracted serious interest from colleges. Cincinnati, Ohio State, Xavier and Missouri have offered him scholarships, the last of which came while he was a two-year senior for Wildcat Select on the adidas 3SSB circuit. Mercer is 14 years old, but played for the program’s 16U team and also played for All-Ohio’s 15U team on the Nike circuit.

“I’m not going to be complacent,” he said when asked about his initial offers. “I’m going to make sure I keep pushing and keep working hard, but it’s definitely exciting. I’m happy to be where I am now to get those offers. Hopefully I can keep those offers and one day they’re binding.”

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Ohio State coach Jake Diebler first spoke to Mercer over the winter, he said, and offered him a scholarship earlier this summer.

“He said he likes the way I play and I play the right way,” Mercer said. “I don’t really play the right way here, but when we play a real game, I play the right way.”

Next, the left-handed Mercer says he’s working on getting stronger and faster, improving his jump shot and developing his right hand as he prepares for his freshman year.

And as for his favorite dunk on Friday, Mercer had a quick answer.

“Probably my windmill,” he said with a smile.

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@AdamJardy

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