2023 Rankings Update: Breaking down 6-10
The freshman class is always challenging to rank and one that most likely ends up on watch list as there is not a huge database to pull from and so many changes that will surely happen over the next four…
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Continue ReadingThe freshman class is always challenging to rank and one that most likely ends up on watch list as there is not a huge database to pull from and so many changes that will surely happen over the next four years. Not many got varsity minutes; some played JV, and a ton we still have not seen. Some stood out, however, and turned their heads in their first year in high school. Here we take a look at players ranked 6-10.
Kadyn Betts Kadyn Betts 6'7" | PF Huntington Prep | 2023 #90 Nation CO – Pueblo Central
Pueblo Central was a middle of the pack team that played teams extremely tough in that 4A South Central League, and they have some solid building blocks and will be a team to watch this upcoming season. They have a young bunch that is a year older and ready to turn some heads. Among that young group was their standout freshman, Kadyn Betts Kadyn Betts 6'7" | PF Huntington Prep | 2023 #90 Nation CO . Betts put up 12.6 points a game, good for second on the team, and also used his 6’4 frame to rebound and defend as well. Betts is a paint beast that the team operates around, and he can open up the offense with his versatility. We saw him in a showcase this summer, and he provided that as he is a mobile forward, the game comes easy for. He plays within the offense, rotates the ball on the block, and scores when the opportunity presents itself. This season I expect him to open up his game a bit more and be a league leader in multiple ways. Betts is a player that we want to see more of, but for now, comes in as a Top-10 player in the class again.
Alan Acevedo Alan Acevedo 6'2" | CG Colorado Prep | 2023 State CO – Golden
Golden has a solid year last season and lost their two leading scorers to graduation, which opens the door for Acevedo to be THE GUY this upcoming season. In only his freshman campaign, he showed that he is capable of handling the scoring load and being a player that the team relies on to score and handle the ball. Acevedo made the 2nd-Team All-Conference team in the Jeffco League after averaging 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds a game as a freshman, and they will rely on him even more in his second year, so it will be on him to continue to progress. From what we have seen from him this summer in open gyms and in his most recent tournament, he has no issue with letting it fly, and he also uses his strength to create mismatches and takes advantage. Acevedo is a strong guard that can step out and play/defend the wing. He is a two-way player that understands positioning, moves well on the floor, and can create for himself in mismatch situations. Acevedo scored in double figures in 14 of 25 games and showed that he could score, he will have to continue to put it together and have his play translate to wins. This will be a big season for him and Golden.
Grant Featherston Grant Featherston 6'5" | PF Air Academy | 2023 State CO – Air Academy
Air Academy will head into next season as one of the youngest teams in the entire state next season, with so many players graduating. Of those young players, one that stood in year 1 was 6’4 freshman forward Grant Featherston Grant Featherston 6'5" | PF Air Academy | 2023 State CO . Featherston averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 boards a game. He grabbed boards and kept them high, started the break, scored on the post, and on breaks, and has a soft touch around the rim. Featherston is a big man that plays within the offense and lets the game come to him. He does not force much or try and do things that he is not comfortable with. He has substantial size; he sets hard screens and keeps plays alive. Featherston is progressing as a player and, in only his first year, was a valuable part of the offense. Expect him to add more to his game in the summer and be a player to watch moving forward. He comes in as the No. 8 player in the class.
JJ Williams JJ Williams 6'5" | SF Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO – ThunderRidge
Williams is one of the most versatile players in the class as he can put the ball on the floor, knock down the outside shot with a beautiful shooting stroke or go inside and bang. For the Grizzlies last season, he got his feet wet on varsity in spot minutes but was a valuable fix on the JV team. He dominated at times and showcased a multifaceted game, and he took that play into the summer, where he got off to a hot start scoring the ball for Pro Skills before seemingly turning into a 6’5 point guard. Williams started to see the floor well and made it a point to find open teammates. He throws a great outlet pass, is a willing passer, and rotates the ball and screens away. Williams can back smaller defenders down and get to his spots but when he is playing freely and letting it fly is when he is at his best. When his shot is falling and he is hunting for shots, he is dangerous because he can switch it up and showcase other areas of his game. With that combination of size, court awareness, and the ability to extend the defense, he will be a difficult player to slow down. Hopefully, he continues to work on his game because once Williams comes into his own, and it all comes together – watch out.
Colin Hawkins Colin Hawkins 6'3" | CG Colorado Prep | 2023 State CO – Sand Creek
Sand Creek was a senior riddled team that will have plenty of changes heading into next season. There were plenty of players that graduated, and their leading scorer transferred, so now all eyes will be on 6’2 combo-guard Colin Hawkins Colin Hawkins 6'3" | CG Colorado Prep | 2023 State CO . Hawkins is a sharpshooter with a bruising body type. He is a bigger guard that uses his size to snag boards, shoot over smaller defenders, and have his way on the block when he chooses to go down there. Hawkins does not turn down open looks and is willing to force the issue if he has to, and we saw that in various showcases this summer. Hawkins has made it a point to get more involved on the scene and competed against some of the top players in the state and held his own. He has a great motor, can put the ball on the floor and attack the paint, and will continue to grow and expand his game. He rounds out the Top-10 and will be a player to watch this upcoming season.