"The Floor General’s Gift: A Visionary Guard with Game and Fire"

Joey Ondo, #2

Twitter and IG: @Joey_Ondo02

6’2, 185lbs, Class of 2026

Barberton (Magics) HS, OH

Joey is a high-IQ point guard who plays with the heart of a warrior and the mind of a coach. A true floor general who thrives in pressure situations, he facilitates the offense with confidence, whether going left, right, or threading a no-look dime through traffic. His vision and IQ are elite, but don’t let that overshadow his ability to knock down shots; he rained 57 threes last season on a smooth 40.8% clip. He’s a rare breed who gets just as hyped over an assist as he does a bucket. Defensively, Joey brings grit and motor, taking pride in locking down his matchup and cleaning up the glass like a big. He rebounds like a forward, a defensive DOGG, and leads with his voice and effort. He’s tough, vocal, coachable, and he lives for the big moment.

Last season, Joey put up 12.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.4 steals per game, all after coming back from a brutal broken leg that wiped out his entire sophomore year. His ability to bounce back and immediately impact the game speaks loud and clear about his work ethic and passion. The biggest improvement in his game came in his downhill attack and physical finishes at the rim. This offseason, he’s been relentlessly working on his handles, jumper, strength, and ability to finish through contact. He’s in the gym or open runs almost every day, grinding in the weight room three times a week, and continuing to build every area of his game. He’s fueled by trash talk, thrives under pressure, and never lets adversity break his stride. That mentality is why he believes next season could be something special. With a loaded roster and Joey running the show, Barberton is built to make serious noise in D2.

He plays for the Akron Bobcats on the AAU circuit, using the summer to elevate his two-foot finishes and improve his all-around approach to attacking the paint. He’s not just looking to win tournaments, but using every opportunity to become the best version of himself for his senior year and beyond. Whether he’s running point in open gyms, lifting with teammates, or hitting the park to get extra reps, Joey’s love for the game is always at the forefront. Off the court, he’s a good student and a high-character kid who leads by example, stays humble, and stays hungry. He’s got the mindset, the skillset, and the motor to thrive at the next level; he’s just waiting for a coach to believe in him the way he believes in himself.

I assess that Joey is the kind of lead guard that elevates everyone around him. His passing instincts, rebounding presence, toughness, and leadership give coaches a plug-and-play point guard who can run the show and take over in crunch time. Programs in need of a vocal floor general who leads with poise, fire, and basketball IQ should take notice.

Expect Joey to be one of Ohio's steadiest and most impactful guards this season. His motor, experience, and skill growth suggest he’s just getting started. With another year of development and a full season of health, he has the potential to be a difference-maker at the college level. Stay tuned for a breakout season ahead.