Top Unsigned Seniors: Part Two
Part one featured some of the top talent in the state who have yet to sign, in this second part we will take a deeper look into the senior class and some of the standouts who are capable of playing…
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Continue ReadingPart one featured some of the top talent in the state who have yet to sign, in this second part we will take a deeper look into the senior class and some of the standouts who are capable of playing at the next level and are starting to gain interests from schools. The opportunity to continue your education and play at the next level is hard to do and every player with the chance to do so at any level should do so. The competition level at Division II and Division III is just as competitive and I highly suggest players to go check out some local games of that level before making their decision. Having the right fit as a school is just as important going forward. Some of the players below might have the opportunity to play at a low Division I school and some at Division II and III level.
Christopher Speller – Rangeview
Both of the Speller brothers are coming off big junior years and will look to defend the 5A State title during their senior year. Christopher averaged: 11.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG during the title run as a junior. He can impact the game on the offensive side of the ball from just about anywhere on the court, but his sweet spot is inside the three point arc, shooting sixty-five percent from inside the arc. He is a tall, athletic guard with a great sense of the game who is able to pick apart a defense from his dribble penetration or kick it out to the open teammate. The two things in his game that I think he will improve this year are: his shooting percentage from the foul-line and his mid-long range jump shot. Last year, he had over one-hundred attempts at the foul-line but only shot it at sixty-six percent, which I think will increase this year. Christopher is also very solid on the defensive side of the ball as well, he led the Raiders in steals last year with fifty-seven and was second on the team in blocks with twenty-one. His size creates problems for smaller guards and allows him to play and guard multiple positions on the court. I could see him going to a low end Division I school or Division II.
Christian Speller – Rangeview
Like his brother, Christian is coming off of a solid junior season were he averaged: 8.4 PPG, 2.3 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG. Many believe he is in for a break out senior season, and he certainly has all the tools to do so. He is a physically gifted athlete, with the size and skill set to play at the next level. Similar to his brother, the steps he needs to take include: improving his foul-shooting as well as his mid-long range jump shot. He is not afraid to stretch the floor, attempting eighty-one threes last season and if he can start to knock that shot down a little more consistently he will be very hard to stop. With his size and strength he his able to guard different positions on the court and is a great rebounder. He was second on the team last year in rebounding with one-hundred twenty-two and should lead the team this year. Metro State has shown interest so far, but I look for more Division II and low end Division I schools to start to show more interest in him his senior season.
Keyshawn Maltbia – Fountain Fort Carson
Keyshawn led the Trojans last season as a junior in scoring at 17.6 PPG as well as assists with 2.2 APG, he was also second on the team in rebounding with 6.7 RPG. With three key seniors graduating last season, Keyshawn a four-year varsity player for the Trojans will look to lead them in his senior season. He is a player that is able to get it done offensively in all three levels, he led his team last year in made threes, made foul-shots, and made two point field goals. Listed at 6’3 the athletic guard got to the foul-line over one-hundred times, shooting sixty-two percent which I think he will increase during his senior season. Maltbia does most of his work inside the three point arc, attempting two-hundred and seventy-two shots inside the arc last season, shooting it at forty-nine percent. Keyshawn is in for a big senior season leading the Trojans and should start to see schools get interested in the athletic guard.
Sebastian Cole – Cherry Creek
Cole is the veteran guard in a talented backcourt for Cherry Creek and is starting to see some Division II schools show interest which they should. Last season he averaged: 12.2 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG for the Bruins who made it to the elite eight. Sebastian has a high IQ for the game and is an athletic guard who has a great mid-range game and can create space from his defender with his strong ball handling skills. He is a crafty finisher around the rim and has great vision in traffic. He has a quick first step and does a great job of rising up on his jump shot to create space over the defender often times. He can also stretch the floor and hit the three at a consistent rate. Defensively he has quick hands and great instincts off and on the ball, he was third on the team last season in blocks which goes to show his athletic ability and his court awareness. Sebastian is in for a big senior season as he leads the Bruins back court in a very tough centennial league.
Jaden Stoffell – Manual
Last season for Manual, Stoffell was second on the team in scoring behind senior Jaedon Bowles. Stoffell averaged: 16.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG as a junior, he will look to take over the leading role after several key seniors departed such as Bowles, Thompson, and Davis who all combined for fifty points a game for Manual last season. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts at being in the lead role now. I could see him averaging over twenty a game easily this season for Manual as they look to defend the 3A state title. Stoffell shot forty percent last season from behind the three point arc on more than two-hundred attempts as well as sixty-three percent from inside the three point arc. Listed at 6’3, he is a strong and crafty finisher around the rim. Colorado State-Pueblo has shown interest in him so far and I am guessing more Division II schools will start to look his way with even some possible low end Division I schools.