Biggest Risers in New 2016 Rankings
The new 2016 rankings were released yesterday afternoon at PrepHoopsColorado.com! Three months after our initial rankings, several prospects proved worthy of making a jump. A number of others, including near 7-footer Frank Ryder, back from IMG Academy in Florida, made their…
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Continue ReadingThe new 2016 rankings were released yesterday afternoon at PrepHoopsColorado.com!
Three months after our initial rankings, several prospects proved worthy of making a jump. A number of others, including near 7-footer Frank Ryder, back from IMG Academy in Florida, made their first appearance on the board.
Without further ado, here's the five biggest 2016 risers since our July rankings and, on top of that, three of the more notable additions to the board:
Will Wittman (Up 21 spots)
The 6-foot-3 wing, a versatile weapon as a deceptively gifted athlete who can rebound, run the floor, and even block shots, made a name for himself with B&B Academy in July as a big-time outside shooter. Wittman is one of Colorado’s elite small school prospects.
Kobi Betts (Up 19 spots)
The Pueblo Central guard, an Air Force commit, has moments of dominance. His ability to out-athlete almost any player in the state, along with his improved decision making and the continued growth of his skill set, has placed Betts in the top 10 of his class.
Monroe Porter (Up 19 spots)
Another talented guard in a class brimming with offensive sparkplugs, Porter can knock down shots from virtually anywhere on the floor. The Western State commit is confident in his ability to guard and also led Legend in rebounding as a junior at 5.6 per game from the two-spot.
Geoffrey Kelly (Up 18 spots)
Kelly has grown into a legit RMAC prospect—a conference showing heavy interest in the 6-foot-6 Regis forward—thanks to his combination of length, athleticism, defensive pedigree, and expanding offensive skills. He’s worked hard on his perimeter shot and, playing for the Raiders, he is already accustomed to a disciplined system, so adjusting to the next level may be a touch easier for him than some.
Christian Hyatt (Up 10 spots)
The Colorado Academy point guard, a coach’s son, has always been an excellent penetrator and shot-creator, both for himself and for his teammates, and he’s plenty athletic. But, at 6-feet and 150, he was a bit undersized. Hyatt has worked hard in the weight room, added 25 pounds of muscle, is now up to 175, and boasts a Division II offer from Colorado Christian University. So yes, he’s a riser.
Notable Additions
Frank Ryder (unranked to #15)
A Boulder native and former hockey player, Ryder only took up basketball in eighth grade, but realized pretty quickly his potential in the sport. The 6-foot-11 big man, with a soft touch around the basket, chose to train at IMG Academy in Florida for a year and a half. He wasn’t in our initial rankings due to the fact he was expected to be back at IMG, but instead he'll be a Fairview Knight this winter. Ryder could be in the mix for all-state honors.
Tyrone Clark Jr. (unranked to #77)
The 5-foot-11 point guard, from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, tied for the third highest vertical leap at the first annual Prep Hoops Colorado Prime Time Prospects Combine as he went 38 inches. Clark is explosive and, on top of that, has an effortless shooting stroke. He stood out in a number of skill tests and scrimmages at the combine and will be a small school prospect to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Jordan Cothran (unranked to #94)
Cothran, a guard for Class 1A Rocky Mountain Lutheran in Denver, could play for any team in the state. At 6-feet but about 180 pounds, he’s strong and athletic and is also dynamic in transition. Cothran, at the PTP Combine, had a knack for finding teammates for easy baskets and was adept at playing off the ball, as well. He oozes confidence as a leader on the floor.