Rankings Update: 2020’s Top-5
The newest updates came out with the player rankings and there was plenty of movement as this is a very strong class that had players step up and separate themselves from the back.Honestly, this might be one of Colorado’s top…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe newest updates came out with the player rankings and there was plenty of movement as this is a very strong class that had players step up and separate themselves from the back.Honestly, this might be one of Colorado’s top classes in the past decade as there are about nine players that can end up at a Division 1 school and plenty more that will surely play at the next level. Here I break down the class’ top five players
Luke O Brien – Columbine
O’Brien holds it down at the No.1 spot yet again. With a commitment to the University of Colorado and standing at 6’7 it is going to be rather difficult to knock him off of his top spot. O Brien had a solid Junior campaign where he put up 21.6 points and 8.4 rebounds a game and is finishing it off on a Colorado Miners team that is a top three team for Grassroots for sure and he is one of the leaders putting them in positions to win. The future Buffs player will have plenty of others breathing down his neck for the top spot this upcoming season with the competition in this class growing and getting better but you’ll be hard pressed to find another player in the state with the size, skill and shooting touch to be titled as No.1. O’Brien is the state’s top player.
Javonte Johnson – Cheyenne Mountain
Not many other players in the state jumped on the scene with such tenacity like Johnson has and he has not looked back ever since. He is one of the smoothest players in the state as the game seems to slow down for him. He has taken his game to the next level and has an already polished game so to see that he is progressing is scary for other teams in the state and is the main reason that Cheyenne Mountain will be one of the state’s top teams. He is one of the most capable players in the state with his ability to shoot the ball, create open shots for himself and teammates, moves well without the ball but is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has a very high basketball IQ. He averaged 22.4 points and 8.6 rebounds a game and I honestly believe those numbers will increase heading into his Senior season with all eyes on him. Javonte has moved up rapidly and has jumped to the No.2 spot in the state and his play with Billups Elite has gotten him more eyes on him and interest from colleges coming.
Caleb McGill – Grandview
McGill is the top overall big man in the state as he dominates the paint. He can face up and take defenders off of the dribble with his quickness or can back a big man down and finish with either hand down low. What separates McGill is his ability to space the floor with his shooting as well. He has soft touch around the rim and can also extend the defense with mid-range pull ups and knocking it down on the perimeter. Where McGill also excels is on the defensive end of the floor. He is a traditional big man on defense with the ability to use his tall and strong stature to alter many shots and get blocks and once he gets the rebound is able to bring the ball up the floor. He has good vision for a player his size, is unselfish and already has a state championship under his belt and is willing to run it back, had it not been for an injury in the playoffs last season and Grandview could have possibly defended their title. Now with the Colorado Chaos he looks back to his usual self of terrorizing defenses, making things difficult for the opposing team and winning. Look for McGill to continue where he left off and pick up a few more offers along the way.
Dominique Clifford – Vanguard
Similar to Javonte Johnson, Clifford has burst onto the scene and dismantled opposing defenses along the way. He is a wing that does it all and has the size to apply pressure on opposing defenses. Clifford and Vanguard are not a combination that was on the map prior to this season but after putting up 18.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists with a 24-3 record and appearance in the 3A state championship his stock would soon change. Clifford is one of the most unique players in the state with his ability to be as versatile as he is with his blend of athleticism and size. He has great court vision and awareness, has the strength despite his long and slender build. Clifford is a wing that is able to guard multiple positions and has a polished game where he can get inside and attack as he knows his way around the paint, is able to knock down shots consistently and a smooth mid-range pull up and can also put the ball on the floor where he finishes with highlight dunks. Clifford and his family made the decision to play with the Colorado Miners this summer and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions yet. Not only is he up against some of the top teams in the state and nation but he is proving that he can hold his own and excel and it has earned him a few Division 1 looks. Clifford is a Division 1 player without a doubt and will only continue to prove it as he has jumped into our Top-5 players in the state after a sensational season.
Ike Graham – Overland
Graham is one of those players that just has the “IT” factor. He has the size but is one of the states most skilled players. When thinking about his ceiling is what makes him a bit scarier as he has one of the highest upsides of any player that Colorado has to offer. He has an old school feel to his game where he can back a defender in the post and due to his massive size is unguardable on the block. He faces up and has a set of go to moves which typically end in a finish. Those sky hooks make him rather difficult to defend. He rebounds with his 6’9 frame which looks to still be growing and attacks relentlessly. He is a two-way player that is aggressive and is able to move well for a player his size. He does not shy away from contact, he demands double teams and he is able to either score off of it or drop it off to the open man. As a Junior, Graham was a walking double-double as he was able to put up 17.6 points and 12.0 rebounds a game and has taken that same production into the summer with the Colorado Hawks where he has been his usual self. Graham took over last season and was able to show what makes him special and the interest that he has garnered will only grow moving forward as he comes in at No. 5 in the state and will surely push to move higher.