Prep Hoops Colorado Top 250 Expo Preview: 2017 Point Guards
The official start of the 2016-17 high school basketball season in Colorado is still more than two months away, but we can go ahead and call Saturday it’s unofficial start.
That’s because you won’t find a better event in the state to get you ready for the season than the Prep Hoops Colorado Top 250 Expo, which will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Gold Crown Fieldhouse in Lakewood.
There are more than 200 players who will be in attendance at the event, with great coaches putting them through skill work before having the chance to compete in games against their talented peers. There is simply no better stage for players to grow their game, face stern competition and get exposure in front of the Prep Hoops staff.
With that, we begin our preview of the Top 250, starting today with the 2017 class, which, through Sunday had 64 players registered. Below are some players who we expect to make noise at the event. If you’re not on the list, you’re still in the right place, with a chance to show us what you’ve got come Saturday!
Point Guards
Among the 2017 floor generals in attendance will be Keisan Crosby, a key backcourt cog for a Valor Christian team that went to the 4A state title game last season. He had a great spring and summer with Billups Elite 17U Select, and he enters his senior season as one of the JeffCo League’s most experienced and talented point guards. .
Julian Espinoza, a 5-9 guard out of Thompson Valley, averaged nine points and two assists for a team that made the playoffs last season. He may be undersized, but he plays big and can really shoot it.
Jeremiah Greylock flew under the radar at Mountain View last season, playing alongside one of 2016’s top guards in Jose Orrantia. But the 5-10 Greylock, who averaged almost eight points per game last season, has the talent to be the dependable lead guard. Elijah Espinoza-Hartwell (6-1) is another senior at Mountain View that could have a big impact after strong growth during club season.
Devin Jones, a 5-11 guard out of Doherty who plays some point guard alongside Brevin Brimble, will be one of the top IQ players at the Expo. He has a great feel for how to get teammates involved and sees several moves ahead. He’s also strong on the defensive end.
Sam Kail, 5-10 out of Littleton, is a guard who simply knows how to make plays. He scored a team-high 13.6 points per game for the Lions last season and was impressive when we saw him this spring for the Colorado Cardinals. Has small-college potential with continued growth.
Trey Marble, 5-11 out of Prairie View, was 11th in all of 5A last season in assists at 4.5 per game. What’s more, he averaged 18.6 points per game. Marble is a chameleon, a player who can fit into multiple roles, so we expect the Expo to be a perfect stage for him.
As we wrote in an article last week, 5-8 Avery Palma is a player who gives Northridge a chance to bounce back this season. He’s quick the ball and makes smart decisions.
Gunner Rigsby, a 5-10 guard who has transferred to Fruita Monument, is a player we really like because of his tenacious way of approaching the game. Rigsby is fearless when it comes to attacking the basket. If he can improve his outside shot, look for him to have a real small-college shot.
Deshiloh Stanley, a 6-0 guard, averaged 10.2 points last season for a Pueblo South team that went 21-4. He has good toughness with the ball in his hand, another player who isn’t afraid to attack and gets after it on defense.
Jamison Washington has good size at a long 6-2 and had as good of a summer as just about any point guard in the state, picking up his first offer from Division II Sioux Falls. Washington, who will play his senior season at Denver East, has a chance to be a strong RMAC player with a big season. He’ll be one of the most overall talented players at the Expo.