Colorado’s April Stock Risers (Part I)
The official grassroots season in Colorado is less than three weeks old, but already there have been a number of players in the state who have put themselves on the radar with strong performances. Here’s a closer look at some…
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Continue ReadingThe official grassroots season in Colorado is less than three weeks old, but already there have been a number of players in the state who have put themselves on the radar with strong performances.
Here’s a closer look at some of the hoopers in our state who have really elevated their stock through the season’s first few weeks:
Alec Pell, 6-4 forward, Colorado Chaos 15U Elite
Pell is a new addition to the Chaos program and has already made a big impact. After making the 15U All-Tournament Team at the Prep Hoops Spring Kickoff to begin the season, he followed that performance up by averaging 15.5 points and 14.5 rebounds over four games last weekend at the Pangos Spring Spectacular in Las Vegas. The Dallas-area transfer will be playing at Cherry Creek next year, and he has the look of a player who will enter his sophomore season ready to make a big impact. We’re looking forward to catching Pell play at the Mile High Classic this weekend.
Alex Hawkins, 6-0 guard, Team B.A.N.G.
Hawkins is a late-rising, unsigned senior who is still looking to prove he could help a college program. Having seen Hawkins participate in the inaugural A-Town All-Star Game last month and again at the Spring Kickoff earlier in April, he’s steady guard who could bring good depth, decision-making and athleticism to a small-college backcourt.
Said Hawkins’ B.A.N.G. coach, Dee Harris: “Alex turned in to a true point guard his junior and senior seasons, sacrificing some of his scoring opportunities to run the team on the floor. He was a very good on-court leader. His ball handling is strong, and he sees the floor very well. His scoring strength is going to the rim where he finishes strong, although he is an effective 3-point shooter as well. An outstanding defensive player both on and off the ball.
Jalen Sanders, 6-6 forward, Billups Elite 17s
Sanders is certainly not an unknown commodity. After all, he entered his junior season at Valor Christian with an offer from Air Force in his pocket, then earned all-state honors while leading the Eagles to the Class 4A state championship game. Still, Sanders seems to be taking his game to another level this spring. He picked up an offer from Cal Davis, according to his club program, after leading Billups to a 3-1 mark during its first Adidas Gauntlet stop in Dallas last week. Sanders may affect the game in more ways than any other player in the state. Another big riser for Billups over the past two weeks has been Jaizec Lottie, who continues to turn heads with his ability to distribute the basketball, picking up an offer over the weekend from Weber State.
Brevin Brimble, 6-0 guard, Colorado Miners 17s
Though Brimble suffered a hand injury that kept him out the Miners’ final game during a 3-1 run at the Double Pump Spring Hoopfest in Anaheim last weekend, he did enough work in the three preceding games to really turn some heads. According to the Miners, Brimble has begun collecting interest from UMass Lowell, Air Force and the University of Denver. Brimble continues to prove he is an electric scorer and heady scorer who won’t be limited by his size. Another big Miners stock riser: C.J. Jennings, who recently began receiving interest from Boise State, according to the club team.
Antonio Norton, 6-4 forward, Colorado Premier 16s
The Premier coaching staff was impressed with the versatility of Norton, even before a buzzer-beating shot that helped the squad win a consolation playoff game in Anaheim last week. We’ll get our first live look at Norton this weekend at the Mile High Classic.
Will Becker, 6-8 forward, Colorado Hawks 16U Red
Becker was in the middle of a strong sophomore season at Smoky Hill when he suffered a broken wrist in January. Becker was forced to miss more than a month of action, but whatever rust might have accumulated is certainly gone now. Becker is one of those players who improves each time out. He’s got great length and athleticism, giving him a chance to be one of the state’s top handful of rim protectors. Offensively, he continues to make big strides as a shooter. He is able to step out and knock down the 3-point shot off the pick-and-roll and is also quick enough when defenders close too quickly. The sky is the limit for perhaps the state’s best big in the 2018 class. Another Hawks whose stock is rising: Xai’Vion Jackson, who was huge on both sides of the ball during the team’s impressive 4-1 run at the Dallas Gauntlet stop last weekend.