Signing Day, whenever it comes, one to be cherished
At the end of a media conference call on Wednesday, Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt offered a playful reminder to Austin Mueller after he finished raving about how excited he was to have the 6-foot-6 ThunderRidge joining the Cowboys next season.
“You better enjoy it, Austin,” Shyatt said. “This is the last time you’ll hear me say anything nice about you.”
Shyatt was just ribbing Mueller, of course, but the subtle reminder to all future college players is that the real work comes after signing day, when you actually arrive on campus and begin the next phase of a career that is years in the making.
But Signing Day itself? That’s about celebration. It’s about giving due to all the people who helped a player reach such a milestone in their lives. Just think about the sweat poured. The aches and pains. The money families spend. The hours players train.
There should be smiles and laughter come Signing Day. It’s not the end of the road, of course, but sometimes a pit stop should be cherished.
Seventeen Colorado players had verbally committed to play basketball at colleges of various levels entering Wednesday, with Overland’s De’Ron Davis expected to become the 18th on Thursday when he makes his college decision between Indiana and Mississippi State.
A number of those players made their college destinations official on Wednesday by sending in their national letters of intent.
We at Prep Hoops Colorado extend our sincerest congratulations to all these players, their coaches, families, teammates and friends who helped them reach such a great moment!
Now, if you signed your letter on Wednesday and are not included below, please let us know so that we can make that addition. The list includes who we were able to verify actually signed based on them telling us or schools sharing signings on social media.
Luke Neff, 5-foot-11 guard, Arvada West, University of Denver: Pioneers coach calls Neff “very competitive” and “a gym rat.” The longtime DU coach is thrilled to have Neff, whose older brother Thomas is a freshman at the school, joining the program.
Michael Ranson, 6-foot-2 guard, Pueblo Central, Northern Colorado: B.J. Hill is getting a player who can absolutely score in bunches.
Kobi Betts, 6-foot-3 guard, Pueblo Central, Air Force: Just how many points will he and Ranson put up this season?
Austin Mueller, 6-foot-6 forward, ThunderRidge, University of Wyoming: “I don’t like him,” Shyatt said Wednesday. “I love him, and that’s based on the whole picture.”
Frank Ryder, 6-foot-10 forward, Fairview, University of San Diego: The Torreros got a talented post player who is only getting better by the day.
Clay Verk, 6-foot-8 forward, ThunderRidge, Stetson: Verk turned himself into a Division I prospect with an insatiable work ethic and the kind of competitive will coach Joe Ortiz loves at ThunderRidge.
Justinian Jessup, 6-foot-5 wing, Longmont, Boise State: Broncos coach Leon Rice said Wednesday that he can’t wait to see Jessup’s versatile array of talents hit the Mountain West stage.
Monroe Porter, 6-foot-3 guard, Legend, Western State: Porter will do damage in the RMAC with his ability to do anything necessary to win.
Samuel Howard, 6-foot-8 forward, Colorado Springs Christian, Colorado Christian: Howard moves well for a post his size, and his soft touch makes him a valuable scoring option down low.
Cordell Gillingham, 6-foot-3 guard, Greeley West, Concordia (Neb.): Another tough-nosed player who can will himself into scoring opportunities.
Connor Thompson, 6-foot guard, Greeley West, Nebraska Wesleyan: Thompson does a little bit of everything for the Spartans (7.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.5 rpg last season).
Elijah Rodriguez, 6-foot-1 ThunderRidge, Morningside (Iowa): A member of the Colorado Chaos 1,000-point club, Rodriguez can really light it up from the perimeter.
Danny Garrick, 6-foot-6 guard, Legend, Casper College: Garrick is an outstanding shooter with good size who has a chance to help make the Titans a legit state title contender this season.
A handful of other 2016 players have already verbally committed and are expected to make those commitments official soon. And, of course, there are a number of unsigned seniors who are eager to prove they are ready for the next level.