Colorado Top 250 Expo: 2018 and 2019 Stock Risers (Part II)
Below is a list of players who may have been flying a bit under the radar when they arrived at Gold Crown Fieldhouse on Sunday before making some noise with their play at the event.
TJ Boykins, 5-7 2019 guard, Douglas County
TJ may be the son of former NBA guard Earl Boykins, but he is starting to make a name for himself as a high school basketball player in Colorado. What sticks out about TJ is how well he understands the game. Even when players are sprinting and tearing down the court, he never gets sped up. He’s really good at working his way into the lane among the trees and then making plays in traffic. His high IQ helps him overcome being an undersized player at the position. He also has natural tendencies as a scorer and can finish through contact and against bigger defenders.
Kevin DiMarco, 6-7 2019 forward, Coal Ridge
DiMarco kept sticking out, and not just because he was one of the tallest players in the gym Sunday. He has good natural footwork and glides pretty well around the court, particularly on the defensive end. He showed good instincts as a shot blocker and made things difficult for opponents at the rim. DiMarco is still a bit raw, but he has a high ceiling. Small-college programs should be checking in.
Manuel Perez, 6-0 2018 guard, Bear Creek
Perez impressed with his natural shooting touch. He’s got sound mechanics and can get the shot off quickly. Perez made 50-of-149 shots from 3-point range (a respectable 34 percent) as a junior while leading Bear Creek in scoring at better than 11 points per game. It seems as if he’s worked hard to make the 3-point shot an even bigger weapon. If he knocks them down during his senior season like he did Sunday, opponents could be in for problems.
Quincy Conway, 6-1 2018 guard, Montbello
Conway demonstrated some shiftiness in the open floor. He’s a big-bodied guard who has quick footwork that will surprise you. He’s a strong ball handler and his size allows him to create some mismatches as he attacks the basket.
Yusef Washington, 6-5 2019 forward, Denver East
Uses his size well to create space. Washington was a consistent finisher at the basket throughout the day and has good athleticism. He can run the floor well and is a natural playmaker.