Colorado 2016 Best Available: Wings
As the playoffs role on, we are continuing our Colorado 2016 Best Available series today with a look at some of the top players in the class at the wing position. Below is the first of our two-part look, with…
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Continue ReadingAs the playoffs role on, we are continuing our Colorado 2016 Best Available series today with a look at some of the top players in the class at the wing position.
Below is the first of our two-part look, with the second part to come next week.
Tyrei Randall, 6-5, Rangeview
Randall has been a dynamic force for the 23-0 Rangers, who open their playoff run on Saturday against visiting Chaparral. The smooth, athletic wing has averaged a team-leading 17.2 points per game, increasing his production as an attacker with the ball in his hands.
“He’s 6-5, can shoot the ball really well and is a good defender,” Rangeview coach Shawn Palmer said. “That’s a pretty lethal combination when you’re talking about a college prospect. You don’t see that very often. He’s our best wing defender, as well as our leading scorer, and he’s been that way the last two years. He does a lot of things really well.”
Randall is looking at various next-level options, Palmer said. He could attend a prep school for a year to improve his academic standing and open up more possibilities in his recruitment, thus reclassifying to the 2017 class. He’s also been heavily recruited by junior-colleges across the region. Regardless of where he starts, Randall certainly has the talent to play at a big-college level.
“He’s got a high ceiling because his athleticism is continuing to grow,” Palmer said. “He’s still kind of feeling out his frame. He gets more and more athletic every year — it seems like very day. I think all of those aspects make him an attractive prospect.”
Jordan Phillips, 6-6, Sand Creek
Phillips, who spent last spring and summer playing with the Salt Lake Rebels, has averaged 19 points and five rebounds per game this season for Sand Creek, which opens its postseason on Friday against D’Evelyn. Phillips is a long, smooth-handling wing who penetrates well and has a good handle, as well as ability to knock down long-range shots.
That package has helped Phillips attract Division I attention. Wyoming, Northern Colorado, Florida Atlantic and Utah Valley have all been in communication with the senior, according to his club team.
Phillips leads Sand Creek into its first-round playoff opener at 3:30 p.m. Friday against D’Evelyn at Longmont High School.
Austin Fritts, 6-5, Green Mountain
Fritts is one of the state’s best leapers, and he has an impressive highlight reel of dunks, but his game has refined to include much more than that. The lefty, who is averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists for a Green Mountain team that opens up its postseason Friday, has become a consistent outside shooter, knocking down 40 percent (28-of-72) of his 3-pointers. He has the tools to be a strong perimeter defender, good length and athleticism. We can envision Fritts as a productive Division II player or thereabouts.
Will Wittman, 6-3, Arvada West
Wittman, who scored 17 points Wednesday in a victory to open his final high school postseason, has been about as versatile as they come during his high school career, playing inside on a size-challenged team as a junior, even while standing only 6-1. Wittman has now grown in stature, and his game has followed. He’s a solid 3-pointer shooter, and he has great athleticism, in the argument as one of the state’s best in-game dunkers with a highlight reel to prove it. Wittman would be a steal for any Division II, III or NAIA program out there, and he brings all the intangibles to the table.
Kris Hollins, 6-3, Rangeview
Hollins is another player for No. 1 Rangeview who thrives on his athleticism.
“I think he has a good chance of playing at the next level,” Palmer said. “He’s a good academic kid, so that keeps his options open. There are some NAIA, Division II and Division III schools, and he can qualify and get into all those schools, so he’s trying to decide what route he wants to take, because he’s also drawn some interest from some junior colleges. … He’s also talked to schools like Nebraska Wesleyan and schools in Michigan.”
Palmer said Hollins, while not as tall, is athletic as Randall, and he’s developing his jump shot. He’s improving his decision-making when he puts the ball on the floor, his coach said, and he’s a solid passer.
“We really enjoy his intangibles,” Palmer said. “We haven’t asked him to do a lot of scoring for us, but he rebounds. He takes charges, does a lot of lot of little things that are really important to winning.”