Colorado Springs Program Profile: PLUTO Basketball Academy
New summer basketball programs seem to pop up every week, but with the backing of one of the top trainers in Colorado the PLUTO Basketball Academy in Colorado Springs seems to be one of great substance.
The founder of PLUTO basketball,Trey Harris, has taken his program from training into the AAU summer circuit. With top coaches from top programs in the city PLUTO looks to make it accessible for southern Colorado kids to play on a high level program while staying in the south.
“The reason for starting this program is for kids in the southern Colorado area to get more high level opportunities without the need to travel to Denver.”
The program bolsters teams in the 14U, 15U,16U, and 17U divisions. Some of the top names from southern Colorado are on the roster.
14U
The 14U program is coached by Shawn Tarver, a long time Doherty high school varsity assistant. At the age of 14 development is the key but PLUTO has one of the top PGs in this class. Sam Howery, remember the name! Sam is an incoming freshman at Saint Mary High School. The 5’8 guard has an IQ for the guard you do not find at his age. With a great slew of guards and some bigs to match this 14U squad looks to make noise in their first year.
15u
The 15U squad is led by another Doherty coach, GeorgePollard. An already house hold name, AJ Guiao, from Banning Lewis Academy, leads this team. AJ is a combo guard with a 4 million view youtube highlight tape. He is a great scorer with the ability to get his teammates involved, all while adding some swag to the game that the cameras can catch. AJ is already getting interest from the Filipino national team.
16U
This PLUTO squad is led by Michael Lyons who was an all conference player at Air Force, and NBA G League player last season. The 16U bolsters a bunch of talent from all over the south end. 6’10 Luke Moerman from Doherty high school has a 35in vertical, and high level potential to match the size. Also with two starting guards from Widefiled high school elite 8 team Tim Newborn and Randall days adds an extra level of depth at the guard position.
17U
The 17U program is led by Quincy, coach at Palmer high school. Starting a nee program at the senior level is very difficult, but PLUTO has managed to get some talent. Tre McCullough, Noah Baca, and Loren Phillips are three Lewis Palmer guys who went to the 4A state championship game two years in a row and are all on the roster. Also a new addition to CO basketball 6’6 James Felton from Lincoln high school in Denver, is an extremely athletic wing. Zach Anderson, a 6’7 athletic post, from discovery canyon and Rhaven Brown who also played in the elite 8 for Falcon high school, are also on the roster.
PLUTO already has a name in the CO basketball scene. Trey Harris has had some of the top players in recent years come through his program. CU top recruit and ESPN top 100 Dshawn Schwartz, Wyoming commit and starting guard Hunter Maldonado, West Texas A&M guard and division 2 final four participant CJ Jennings, and most recently University of Hawaii signee Dawson Carper.