Six in-state players sign NLI to play Division I
It’s finally here and we’re thrilled to help celebrate with you!
The Colorado athletes of the Class of 2020 signed their names to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to officially climb the ladder of their athletic and academic careers on Wednesday’s early signing period.
Wednesday, hundreds of athletes across Colorado are signing their early letters of intent to play their sport at the next level, here we focus on six of the state’s top boy’s basketball players that signed to play Division I basketball.
Big day for Colorado boys hoops as six players will sign their NLI to play Division I basketball:
Luke O' Brien: @CUBuffsMBB
Dominique Clifford: @CUBuffsMBB
Lucas Moerman: @AF_MBB
Javonte Johnson: @UNMLoboMBB
Caleb McGill: @UCDavisMBB
TJ Bamba: @WSUCougarMBB— Duvalier Johnson (@DuvalierJohnson) November 13, 2019
Luke O’ Brien is a 6-foot-7 wing from Columbine high school that led the Jeffco League in scoring as a junior as the Rebels finished with a perfect conference record before dropping in the 5A state playoffs. He put up 21.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and also dished out 3.1 assists as well. He has incredible size and shoots the ball exceptionally well and will be a player that the Buffaloes could potentially use as early as next season.
JAM OF THE NIGHT #LUKEOBRIEN shout out for @BallFever_CO_Tr pic.twitter.com/Mn2nSSG5JQ
— Blake Olson (@BlakeOlson1) January 4, 2019
Dominique Clifford is a 6-foot-5 guard from Vanguard High School. He is a player that fell under the radar before having one of the most impressive junior seasons in the state which garnered plenty of Division I attention. He averaged 18.9 points and 11.3 rebounds a game as well. He helped lead the Coursers to a 24-3 record as they finished as the 3A state runner-ups. Colorado is getting another guard with great size and versatility. Clifford is an explosive athlete with length that changes the game on both ends of the court. He also scores from both inside and out and is a highlight-reel on the fast break.
@NiqueOtn with the slam!@BallFever_CO_Tr @PrepHoopsCO @Bball_CO @ pic.twitter.com/kecnesGDtH
— Colorado Hoops (@COHoops5280) June 30, 2019
Lucas Moerman is a 6-foot-10 standout from Doherty High School that averaged a double-double (12.9 points and 11.6 rebounds) a game as a junior. He also finished 2nd in all of 5A with 3.4 blocks a game as well. Air Force is getting a player that can affect the game on the defensive end of the floor as one of the best interior defenders that the state has seen in a couple of years.
How bout this block from @DHSAthletics Lucas Moerman at @TheShowColorado pic.twitter.com/jO7U2DRh9i
— TheirFans (@TheirFans2015) March 24, 2019
Javonte Johnson is a 6-foot-6 versatile wing from Cheyenne Mountain High School. He is coming off of a season in which he was the 4A scoring at 22.4 points a game and also recorded nearly 10 rebounds a game as well. The Lobos are getting a guard with incredible size as a two-way guard and a unique athletic skill-set that separates him from the pack.
@CMTNAthletics JaVonte Johnson @otn_jay with 13 of his 27 points against Sierra last week.@jo_cobasketball pic.twitter.com/DtDpQwXLOg
— Jon Miller (@J_Mills78) March 6, 2019
Caleb McGill is a 6-foot-7 forward from Grandview High School. He is coming off of a season where he put up 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. UC-Davis is getting a player that is active around the basket but also possesses the ability to extend the defense with his outside shot as well. He is a rim protector that also has championship pedigree as he was a pivotal part of the Wolves 5A championship in the 2017-18 season.
Caleb McGill with the big man basket. Both teams are getting up and down and this one. Tied at 11-11 with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter. Davon Walker has knocked down two 3-pointers as well. @GHSWolvesHoops pic.twitter.com/GONi8wC55E
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) December 5, 2018
Tijani ‘TJ’ Bamba is a 6-foot-5 combo-guard from Lincoln High School. He is coming off of a season where he led the Lancers to an 18-7 record as he put up 13.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. Washington State is getting a guard with size that is explosive in the open court that is versatile which makes him extremely difficult to contain.
Finishes like this make @TjBamba_ an intriguing 2020 prospect from @LincolnHoops_ #copreps pic.twitter.com/sg8QieV63C
— BasketballColorado (@Bball_CO) February 1, 2019