Updated Colorado 2019 Player Rankings
We complete the unveiling of our Prep Hoops Colorado Player Rankings with our final class: 2019.
As is to be expected, this class had plenty of shakeup. The younger classes are naturally going to have more movement as players grow, develop and experience more opportunities to be evaluated.
Again, a drop in the rankings in most cases does not mean a player fell off. It simply means there were other players who have shown with their play they needed to be elevated. These rankings will become more and more refined with each release.
Here is a look at the top five prospects in the class:
1. Kenny Foster, 6-3 guard, Smoky Hill
Foster has been every bit as advertised in his first high school season. While the Buffaloes have been hit hard with injuries, Foster has been a consistent force, averaging nearly 20 points and six rebounds per game in perhaps the state’s toughest league.
2. Jaedon Bowles, 6-5 forward, Manual
Bowles has been a do-it-all force. He’s long, athletic and has a great motor running the floor. He’s averaging 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game.
3. Assane Diouf, 6-11 center, Denver East
Diouf, from Senegal, already has major-college size, and he’s shown strong flashes already after joining East following the new year. He is still raw but is skilled and a load to handle, and he will quickly be on the map this spring.
4. Bryce Matthews, 6-4 guard, Chaparral
Matthews has been the second-leading scorer for a Chaparral team that, after a rocky start, began 5-1 in Continental League play. He’s long and skilled and is averaging 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He’s part of a dynamic freshman class for the Wolverines, with backcourt mate Ronnie DeGray III (sixth) finishing just below him in the rankings and Joseph Dalton just a little further down the list.
5. Stephen Hayes, 6-2 guard, Overland
Hayes is a versatile talent who is strong at the point of attack. He’s a tough-nosed defender who can guard multiple positions. He’s already seen good playing time this season with the defending champion Trailblazers. He scored nine huge points in clutch situations in their season-opening win over George Washington, experience that should only further elevate his high ceiling.