Recruiting Report: Colin Rardin (2017)

<p>It goes without saying that the competition during team camps in June isn’t the same as it becomes during the grinding winter days when teams are fighting for playoff spots.</p><p>Still, on the final day of the DU team camp this June, with ThunderRidge and Rock Canyon doing battle after a long three days of games, it was clear both teams were playing for something meaningful.</p> <p>So, yeah, <strong>Colin Rardin</strong> was pumped when his team came out on top.<br /> It was definitely a confidence booster,” said Rardin, a 6-foot-1 junior guard at Rock Canyon. “We bounced back from a big loss to Valor and everything clicked on Sunday. It shows when we play how we&#39;re capable we can play with and beat the best teams in the state.”</p> <p>ThunderRidge, which has only reloaded since finishing as the 5A state runner-up last season, is undoubtedly one of the state’s best. It’s a level Rock Canyon is trying to reach, and Rardin can help them get there.</p> <p>The sharp-shooting guard is coming off a strong summer with the Colorado Chaos 16s Elite team performed well at major tournaments in St. Louis, Dallas and Las Vegas.</p> <p>“It was fun playing with so much talent,” said Rardin, the No. 34 player in Prep Hoops Colorado&#39;s 2017 rankings.</p> <p>For his part, Rardin is working to expand his overall game. In Rock Canyon’s offense last season, Rardin was often used as a spot-up shooter. It’s a role he filled well, but he also confident he can contribute even further as he enters his junior season with some varsity experience under his belt.</p> <p>“This summer I worked hard on getting to the hoop more and getting stronger in the weight room,” Rardin said.</p> <p>Rardin’s recruiting has included contact with a number of Division II programs outside of Colorado, and the rising guard believes he could be a strong contributor at that level.</p> <p>“I think D-II would be a good fit for me,” he said. “I like a lot of the RMAC schools I’ve seen.”</p> <p>Rardin added that his Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams has also fielded a few phone calls from Air Force inquiring about Rardin.</p> <p>Rardin believes more recruiting opportunities will come. For now, he is eager to contribute even further to a Rock Canyon team that is poised to make a big step after a narrow first-round loss last season to eventual Final Four participant Denver East.</p> <p>“I&#39;m really excited,” he said. “I think we&#39;ll have a good chance to be a contender this year and to have a big role in that is exciting for sure.”</p>