C.J. Cetta was the first player to sign up for the inaugural Prep Hoops Colorado Prime Time Prospects Combine, and he showed up the event on Sept. 26 ready to make an impression.
“I really just wanted to make sure I left everything on the floor,” said Cetta, a 6-foot-2 senior guard at Douglas County. “I didn’t want to leave with any regrets.”
Cetta left with something else – the title of the first Prep Hoops Colorado Combine King.
It was no easy decision, as there were a handful of big-time performances. But after closely examining the testing results and scrutinizing our observations from the games, Cetta had the most complete all-around performance at the combine.
He tied for fifth in 3-point shooting, tied for third in elbow-to-elbow shooting, was first in interior shooting (Mikan drill), finished 17th in the three-quarter court sprint with the ball, seventh without the ball, sixth in lane agility, fifth in weave agility and 14th in vertical. So he was top 17 in every test and top 10 in all but two. Impressive work, indeed.
In the games, Cetta played with energy on both ends of the court, displaying an impressive offensive arsenal that includes a smooth outside shot, strong pull-up game and solid ball-handling. On the defense end, he swarmed ball-handlers and helped create transition opportunities.
Cetta’s performance was the result of major work he has put in since the end of last season. On a small, thin Douglas County team, Cetta was asked to play in the post for much of last season. Knowing his future at the next level would be at the guard spot, he went to work on making adjustments to a jump shot he know hits with consistency, and he’s made major strides in his ability to handle the ball – evident by his great weave-drill performance. He spent time working with Nick Graham’s AnA basketball and performed well on the summer circuit with the Colorado Chaos.
“I just wanted to improve on everything so that I can help my team in any way I can,” Cetta said.
Cetta’s recruiting hasn’t taken off yet. He’s had some contact with Division-III programs, and he believes he could be a strong contributor at that level, or at a D-II or NAIA program.
If he keeps approaching his improvement the way he did the combine, he should get a next-level opportunity.
“The combine was great,” Cetta said. “I really loved the energy, and it was challenging and exciting going up against that high level of competition.”
Here is a look at the players who, along with Cetta, made up the All-Combine Team:
Here is a look at the players who, along with Cetta, made up the All-Combine Team:
Will Wittman, 6-foot-3 guard/forward, Arvada West
Wittman has improved dramatically every month of this offseason. His athleticism stood out at the combine. Nearly every time you turned to observe action in the game he was playing in, Wittman was finishing at the rim after going strong in transition. He’s a great shooter from all spots and has no fear when it comes to battling in the paint. Wittman will be a major piece for what could be an extremely strong Arvada West team this season.
Tyrone Clark Jr., 5-foot-11 guard, Liberty
Perhaps the most athletic player at the combine, Clark can absolutely get up. He was highly under-the-radar playing for a Liberty team that struggled last season. But with a polished offensive skill set to go along with great leaping ability and speed, Clark could catch plenty of attention as a senior.
DShawn Schwartz, 6-foot-6 forward, Sand Creek
Reports coming out of the Team USA Junior National mini-camp over the weekend indicated that Schwartz more than held his own against some of the top players in the country. That was no surprise after seeing Schwartz use his length and athleticism to affect the games in nearly every aspect.
Austin Remus, 6-foot guard, Valor Christian
Remus was another guy who tested near the top of the combine in nearly every area, then came and backed it up with tremendous performances during the games. Remus has great quickness and vision with the ball, plays under control and can pull-up and hit with consistency from just about anywhere. He is one of the biggest risers in the 2017 class.
Honorable Mentions
Connor McCord, 6-foot-7 forward, Legend; Corey Seng, 6-foot-4 wing, ThunderRidge; Caleb Tamminga, 6-foot-3 guard, Legend; Jodaun Dotson, 6-foot guard, Thomas Jefferson; Michael Vrabel, 6-foot-2 guard, Chatfield, Trent Dykema, 6-foot-3 guard, Silver Creek; Jordan Cothran, 6-foot-1 guard, Rocky Mountain Lutheran; Jaylen Harden, 6-foot-5 forward, Columbine.
