ThomasCostello
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Introducing Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge and how she could make an instant impact
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The path Cambridge took to Columbus and what her future holds
On April 5, Florida’s Montverde Academy saw itself in a tough position. With 3.9 seconds remaining in the high school national semifinal, the No. 4 seeded back-to-back defending high school national champions were down 78-77. Seconds away from ending an incredible dynasty run of success at the top level of high school basketball.
Enter Jaloni Cambridge.
Catching a lobbing pass on the wing, Cambridge turned on the jets. The senior sped directly towards the basket before pulling up and hitting a running jump shot, securing Montverde Academy a spot in the national championship game.
It was just another day for Cambridge, leading her team with 33 points in that dramatic semifinal. That performance followed a triple-double of 19 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the quarterfinal. All culminating in a third straight title on the back of a 17-point, nine-assist game by Cambridge in the title game.
That final high school tournament for Cambridge was especially exciting for Ohio State women’s basketball fans. After the guard committed to head coach Kevin McGuff’s side in December of 2023, the future of basketball in scarlet and gray hit a new level of hype.
After signing on March 1, the No. 2 overall prospect Cambridge already made program history becoming the highest ranked recruit in school history.
What Cambridge brings to Ohio State not only fills a hole left by now-WNBA player Jacy Sheldon’s departure but keeps the Buckeyes in the conversation at the top of the Big Ten.
Cambridge’s ability is clear in the countless highlight reels, but how she fits into the team isn’t clear until she’s on it. This summer, Cambridge joined the Buckeyes for summer practice and the guard is as advertised.
“I think with her just her speed and quickness and ability to make plays, she makes everybody around her better,” said Coach McGuff. “And so her teammates really love playing with her.”
On the court, not many in the conference will compete with Cambridge for quickest but what makes Cambridge so dangerous is the ability to stay poised in that speed.
The freshman point guard gets to spots before defenders and sees plays develop on the court. When it comes time to make a decision on the offensive half of the court, Cambridge can go one of many directions.
First, Cambridge can score. The quickness means charging into the paint and moving around defenders, but that skill combined with three-level shooting ability keeps opponents guessing. Will Cambridge go to the hoop? Take a three? Pull up for a midrange jumper? Cambridge has the ability to hit them all.
Then there’s finding teammates. Cambridge was the No. 1 point guard in the 2024 class for a reason. The guard averaged 6.6 assists per game as a high school senior, playing with other top prospects. Now Cambridge has a team including stars like guard Chance Gray and forwards Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry.
There’s also a returning teammate who Cambridge knows well — her sister Kennedy Cambridge. After transferring to Ohio State before the 2023-24 season, Kennedy became one of the reasons Jaloni will play a majority of her games in Columbus, Ohio this season.
Cambridge is the youngest of nine siblings, all playing basketball in the footsteps of their dad, and former Alabama A&M legend, Desmond Cambridge.
Jaloni and Kennedy reunite after playing three seasons together at the Ensworth School in Tennessee, with the youngest Cambridge transferring to Montverde Academy for her final high school season.
Playing on the varsity team as an eighth grader, Jaloni played alongside her now-Ohio State teammate Kennedy for two state championships in Tennessee. It’s a partnership that was a determining factor in Cambridge to choosing Ohio State in the first place.
That partnership gives Cambridge an advantage at the college level. Already knowing the ins and outs of one of your teammates. Add that to the hard work that earned her MaxPrep’s National Player of the Year award for the 23-24 high school season and its a competitive advantage for the Big Ten side.
Even so, like any young prospect, adjusting to the college game is a process. Although Cambridge’s ceiling isn’t visible to the naked eye, coach McGuff’s approach is natural for someone in her position.
“I don’t want to over overhype it because we haven’t played a game yet,” said McGuff. “And I don’t want to put undue pressure on her because but I do see a bright, bright future ahead for her.”
When Ohio State does start to play this fall, there’s a strong possibility that Cambridge is a big piece of the puzzle.
For the last four years, McGuff’s had the luxury of a veteran side who are game tested. Following the Buckeyes’ early exit in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, six upperclassmen left the program, with five exhausting NCAA eligibility.
Cambridge’s experience playing with and against the best in high school basketball, plus history with Team USA’s youth system and countless showcases like the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoops Summit under her belt, makes her the likely starting pick.
Ohio State plays a system that mirrors the type of player Cambridge is on the court. The Scarlet & Gray like to run on offense and pressure on defense. Cambridge, who also averaged three steals per game, can do everything needed to help Ohio State continue to excel in the NCAA.
Now, fans hope Cambridge and Buckeyes are building a side that can do what the program has never done before — winning a national title of their own.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The path Cambridge took to Columbus and what her future holds
On April 5, Florida’s Montverde Academy saw itself in a tough position. With 3.9 seconds remaining in the high school national semifinal, the No. 4 seeded back-to-back defending high school national champions were down 78-77. Seconds away from ending an incredible dynasty run of success at the top level of high school basketball.
Enter Jaloni Cambridge.
Catching a lobbing pass on the wing, Cambridge turned on the jets. The senior sped directly towards the basket before pulling up and hitting a running jump shot, securing Montverde Academy a spot in the national championship game.
It was just another day for Cambridge, leading her team with 33 points in that dramatic semifinal. That performance followed a triple-double of 19 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the quarterfinal. All culminating in a third straight title on the back of a 17-point, nine-assist game by Cambridge in the title game.
That final high school tournament for Cambridge was especially exciting for Ohio State women’s basketball fans. After the guard committed to head coach Kevin McGuff’s side in December of 2023, the future of basketball in scarlet and gray hit a new level of hype.
After signing on March 1, the No. 2 overall prospect Cambridge already made program history becoming the highest ranked recruit in school history.
What Cambridge brings to Ohio State not only fills a hole left by now-WNBA player Jacy Sheldon’s departure but keeps the Buckeyes in the conversation at the top of the Big Ten.
Cambridge’s ability is clear in the countless highlight reels, but how she fits into the team isn’t clear until she’s on it. This summer, Cambridge joined the Buckeyes for summer practice and the guard is as advertised.
“I think with her just her speed and quickness and ability to make plays, she makes everybody around her better,” said Coach McGuff. “And so her teammates really love playing with her.”
On the court, not many in the conference will compete with Cambridge for quickest but what makes Cambridge so dangerous is the ability to stay poised in that speed.
The freshman point guard gets to spots before defenders and sees plays develop on the court. When it comes time to make a decision on the offensive half of the court, Cambridge can go one of many directions.
First, Cambridge can score. The quickness means charging into the paint and moving around defenders, but that skill combined with three-level shooting ability keeps opponents guessing. Will Cambridge go to the hoop? Take a three? Pull up for a midrange jumper? Cambridge has the ability to hit them all.
Then there’s finding teammates. Cambridge was the No. 1 point guard in the 2024 class for a reason. The guard averaged 6.6 assists per game as a high school senior, playing with other top prospects. Now Cambridge has a team including stars like guard Chance Gray and forwards Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry.
There’s also a returning teammate who Cambridge knows well — her sister Kennedy Cambridge. After transferring to Ohio State before the 2023-24 season, Kennedy became one of the reasons Jaloni will play a majority of her games in Columbus, Ohio this season.
Cambridge is the youngest of nine siblings, all playing basketball in the footsteps of their dad, and former Alabama A&M legend, Desmond Cambridge.
Jaloni and Kennedy reunite after playing three seasons together at the Ensworth School in Tennessee, with the youngest Cambridge transferring to Montverde Academy for her final high school season.
Playing on the varsity team as an eighth grader, Jaloni played alongside her now-Ohio State teammate Kennedy for two state championships in Tennessee. It’s a partnership that was a determining factor in Cambridge to choosing Ohio State in the first place.
That partnership gives Cambridge an advantage at the college level. Already knowing the ins and outs of one of your teammates. Add that to the hard work that earned her MaxPrep’s National Player of the Year award for the 23-24 high school season and its a competitive advantage for the Big Ten side.
5️ Jaloni Cambridge CALLED GAME
The Ohio State commit put uppoints against no. 1 LuHi and Montverde is championship bound
#ChipotleNationals pic.twitter.com/k4N7sSuCnd
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 5, 2024
Even so, like any young prospect, adjusting to the college game is a process. Although Cambridge’s ceiling isn’t visible to the naked eye, coach McGuff’s approach is natural for someone in her position.
“I don’t want to over overhype it because we haven’t played a game yet,” said McGuff. “And I don’t want to put undue pressure on her because but I do see a bright, bright future ahead for her.”
When Ohio State does start to play this fall, there’s a strong possibility that Cambridge is a big piece of the puzzle.
For the last four years, McGuff’s had the luxury of a veteran side who are game tested. Following the Buckeyes’ early exit in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, six upperclassmen left the program, with five exhausting NCAA eligibility.
Cambridge’s experience playing with and against the best in high school basketball, plus history with Team USA’s youth system and countless showcases like the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoops Summit under her belt, makes her the likely starting pick.
Ohio State plays a system that mirrors the type of player Cambridge is on the court. The Scarlet & Gray like to run on offense and pressure on defense. Cambridge, who also averaged three steals per game, can do everything needed to help Ohio State continue to excel in the NCAA.
Now, fans hope Cambridge and Buckeyes are building a side that can do what the program has never done before — winning a national title of their own.
Continue reading...