Biggest Risers in New 2017 Rankings
Kayden Sund (up 60 spots) On the Shining Stars, Kolton Peterson tends to be in the spotlight. And yet, Sund is an extremely capable player, as well. A 6-foot-5 guard, the Golden talent is athletic. He’s lanky and, at 185…
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Continue ReadingKayden Sund (up 60 spots)
On the Shining Stars, Kolton Peterson tends to be in the spotlight. And yet, Sund is an extremely capable player, as well. A 6-foot-5 guard, the Golden talent is athletic. He’s lanky and, at 185 pounds, he already has a good body and a growing all-around game. Sund could challenge for 4A Jefferson County Player of the Year Honors this winter.
Djimon O’Neal (up 26 spots)
A wing for Fountain-Fort Carson, O’Neal nearly cleared his height in the high jump in track and field with a mark of 6-foot-3, an example of his athletic ability. He’s also a talented football player as a wide receiver and punter for the Trojans. But, back to basketball, the 6-foot-4, 185 pound wing has obvious physical attributes that translate to the next level. He has scoring ability and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore. O’Neal does most of his damage inside and will need to further develop his perimeter game, but he has upside.
Brian Read (up 23 spots)
Read is a physical 6-foot-5 forward, who despite being overshadowed at times on a stacked Billups team, has a chance at continuing to be a riser in this class. During the grassroots season, Read is often asked to guard much taller power forwards and centers due to playing on an undersized team on the national level. He’s versatile and aggressive. His physicality, an essential part of being a legit prospect nowadays, as mentioned in this week’s Colorado Corner, is an asset. He also has an improving offensive skill set.
Nate Bokol (up 17 spots)
Bokol didn’t play AAU this year, because he’s also a talented baseball player, but we felt the need to move him up in our rankings. Frankly, No. 75 was just too low for a 6-foot-5 forward who started as a sophomore on a Great 8 team, and who has a chance at being a Division II level prospect. Bokol is relentless on the glass and defensively. He can also get out and run and is starting to knock down mid-range shots on a more regular basis.
Sam Grad (up 12 spots)
Grad, a key weapon on the Colorado Titans 16U team that claimed the gold bracket title at the Las Vegas Classic in July, is another gifted 6-foot-6 prospect with length. He can spread the floor with his shooting ability and will team up with IMG Academy transfer Frank Ryder, at 6-foot-11, to form a potentially dominant frontline for Fairview. He is also an excellent performer in the classroom and earned a spot on our All-Grassroots 16U Third Team.
Others: Corey Seng (up 10 spots), Umar Jalloh (up 10 spots), Dylan McCaffrey (up 8 spots), Braxton Bertolette (up 8 spots), Jake Belknapp (up 5 spots), Isaac Phillips (unranked to #17…decided not to move out-of-state), Austin Remus (unranked to #48)