Recruiting Report: Tynan Velasquez (2016)

<p><strong>Tynan Velasquez</strong> may not be the biggest or most physically gifted guard in Colorado’s 2016 class, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a player who brings more of an edge to his position.</p><p>Growing up with two older brothers who went on to become college basketball players, the youngest brother was never given anything. Buckets, rebounds, you name it, it all had to be earned.</p> <p>“It helped me develop a fire and will to win that not many people have,” Velasquez said. “The biggest asset of my game is my fire and competitiveness.”</p> <p>Tynan’s brother Tyler finished his senior year last season at Concordia University in Portland, and his other brother Bryse played at CSU-Pueblo.</p> <p>Now, Velasquez is trying to chart his own college path. He’s had Division II interest from Hawaii Pacific, Black Hills State and CSU-Pueblo. But the whip-quick 6-foot point guard is still weighing his options, always eager to continue proving himself.</p> <p>“I think I’m capable of competing against any player at any level,” said Velasquez, who helped The Force 17U squad win a national title in the gold bracket at the Adidas Invitational this summer. “We played the top teams this summer and we competed.”</p> <p>Velasquez, who has been a varsity mainstay since his freshman year, averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 assists per game as a junior at Doherty last season. He has transferred this season to Palmer, where he’ll play alongside fellow Force teammates <strong>Will Ross</strong>, <strong>Antonio Handford</strong> and <strong>Nick Dembiczak</strong>.</p> <p>“Everyone is really pushing each other and themselves to get better,” Velasquez said of his new Palmer team.</p> <p>Velasquez should bring plenty to the table for Palmer. He has an impressively quick first step, sure ball-handling, and plus vision in transition. He sees the court several moves ahead, and he’s great at helping an offense space the floor. He has a solid outside jump shot and good mid-range game.</p> <p>Perhaps Velasquez&#39;s most dynamic offensive quality is his ability to find his way into the lane and finish among the trees. He has a great array of finishing material once he gets near the rim. And he also can be relentless on the perimeter defensively.</p> <p>His biggest focus has been bolstering himself physically in preparation for the next level.</p> <p>“I’ve been working harder than I ever have,” Velasquez said. “I’m increasing my strength and athleticism.”</p>