Recruiting Report: Colin Rardin (2017)
It goes without saying that the competition during team camps in June isn’t the same as it becomes during the grinding winter days when teams are fighting for playoff spots. Still, on the final day of the DU team camp…
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Continue ReadingIt goes without saying that the competition during team camps in June isn’t the same as it becomes during the grinding winter days when teams are fighting for playoff spots.
Still, on the final day of the DU team camp this June, with ThunderRidge and Rock Canyon doing battle after a long three days of games, it was clear both teams were playing for something meaningful.
So, yeah, Colin Rardin was pumped when his team came out on top.
It was definitely a confidence booster,” said Rardin, a 6-foot-1 junior guard at Rock Canyon. “We bounced back from a big loss to Valor and everything clicked on Sunday. It shows when we play how we're capable we can play with and beat the best teams in the state.”
ThunderRidge, which has only reloaded since finishing as the 5A state runner-up last season, is undoubtedly one of the state’s best. It’s a level Rock Canyon is trying to reach, and Rardin can help them get there.
The sharp-shooting guard is coming off a strong summer with the Colorado Chaos 16s Elite team performed well at major tournaments in St. Louis, Dallas and Las Vegas.
“It was fun playing with so much talent,” said Rardin, the No. 34 player in Prep Hoops Colorado's 2017 rankings.
For his part, Rardin is working to expand his overall game. In Rock Canyon’s offense last season, Rardin was often used as a spot-up shooter. It’s a role he filled well, but he also confident he can contribute even further as he enters his junior season with some varsity experience under his belt.
“This summer I worked hard on getting to the hoop more and getting stronger in the weight room,” Rardin said.
Rardin’s recruiting has included contact with a number of Division II programs outside of Colorado, and the rising guard believes he could be a strong contributor at that level.
“I think D-II would be a good fit for me,” he said. “I like a lot of the RMAC schools I’ve seen.”
Rardin added that his Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams has also fielded a few phone calls from Air Force inquiring about Rardin.
Rardin believes more recruiting opportunities will come. For now, he is eager to contribute even further to a Rock Canyon team that is poised to make a big step after a narrow first-round loss last season to eventual Final Four participant Denver East.
“I'm really excited,” he said. “I think we'll have a good chance to be a contender this year and to have a big role in that is exciting for sure.”